Weekly Estuary Update
Greetings from the estuary! Below, we share the initiatives and activities organized to benefit the ecosystems and communities of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Workshop on identifying and reporting illegal downloads
Learn about the consequences of sewage discharges into our waters and the process for reporting and correcting them. The Estuary invites you to the workshop: Let's Protect Our Waters: Identifying and Reporting Illegal Discharges; Tuesday, August 20, 2024 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm via Zoom. Register today, here.
Document your habitat restoration and conservation project!
Each year, the Estuary documents the habitat restoration and conservation efforts that various sectors are implementing within the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed. In this way, we recognize the progress we are making as a region in restoring and conserving our habitats, and we also gather valuable information to support public investment in these types of efforts. If your community, organization, or agency has implemented a habitat restoration or conservation project—planting, cleanup, or other— please click here to document and acknowledge it.
Collaborative course between the Estuary and the UPR
The Estuary invites you to enroll in the course CIAM 8990: Innovative approaches for a sustainable water resource infrastructure (Section 033); Open to master's and doctoral students at UPRRP and UPRM. Spaces are still available. Enroll today.
Family day out at the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve
Last Saturday, August 3rd, we held our family day out at the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve. We began with our information table at 11:00 a.m. and a volleyball game. At 3:00 p.m., we started the talk, "Let's Protect Our Waters: Identifying and Reporting Illegal Discharges," which was attended by seven people.
At four in the afternoon, we held an educational talk, "Biodiversity of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve," which was attended by six people. We discussed the new interpretive trail in the Reserve, marine life, and the mangrove ecosystem.
At five in the afternoon the Silent Disco Party began, where the public responsibly enjoyed music without interrupting the normal life of the Reserve.
Finally, at 7:30 pm, 47 people gathered for the Estuary Cinema screening, where Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was shown.
We thank Héctor Sáez, from Recreation and Sports, for his continued support, and José Ramos, administrator of Jaime Benítez Park, for his collaboration with the Estuary activities. Thanks also to the Municipal Police of the Park and to Estuardo and Mindy from EUFORIK Puerto Rico, for providing music through headphones.
The next family day out will be on Saturday, September 7th. See you then!
Characterization of microplastics in estuary waters
We conducted the most recent field experience for the Microplastic Characterization and Reduction module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification program on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Five volunteers participated, collecting and evaluating microplastic samples from the San José and Los Corozos lagoons. See upcoming activities for the Microplastic Characterization and Reduction module at [link to relevant website/website]. estuary.org/ccc.
Planting of coastal vegetation in Piñones
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, a coastal vegetation planting took place in La Pocita, Piñones, as part of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary's citizen scientist certification program. Thirty-one volunteers participated, planting approximately 257 trees of various species, including red mangroves, broad beans, sea grapes, button mangroves, and cocoplum trees.
We thank Scout Jesús González, who collaborated on the planting with his Eagle Project and donated shovels, snacks, and gloves to the Estuary to support future planting efforts. Thanks also to all the volunteers who joined us, and to the coordinators, Andreína Alexatos and Agnes Pagán.
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the scheduled events for the coming weeks. See more information at: estuary.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module:
Participatory Bird Census Module:
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module:
Coastal Resilience Module:
Let's reduce our environmental footprint together, from coast to coast.
The Estuary joins environmental entities Limpiar and Alelí Environmental, Inc. to reduce waste and raise environmental awareness throughout Puerto Rico.
Visit us and learn about our educational initiatives for waste reduction: It shouldn't touch the ground or reach the water. Leave a clean footprint on pine nuts and food without leaving a trace..
Job opportunities
Content Editing and Development Services—The Estuary requests editing and content development services for two publications: a narrative/historical book about the Estuary and the revision of the Estuary Plan.
Estuary Resident Artists – Request for Proposals—The Estuary Resident Artists generate artistic expressions with the aim of involving citizens in the process of conservation and restoration of the estuary basin, in a creative and culturally relevant way.
[Download your free copy] San Juan Bay Estuary: History and Research Opportunities
The Estuary is pleased to share its recent publication, San Juan Bay Estuary: History and Research Opportunities; by Ariel E. Lugo and Jorge F. Bauzá Ortega.
This comprehensive document includes valuable information on research conducted in the estuarine system, calling for these observations, findings, and conclusions to be added to in potential future research.
To arrange for the pickup of a free printed copy, please contact us at 787-725-8165.
Prepare yourself this hurricane season
Get ready for this hurricane season. Download the Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide of the Estuary and follow its recommendations. The strength and resilience of your community begins in your home.
Also visit the Virtual Estuary Community Centerwhere you will find vital information, such as relevant emergency numbers and instructions for preparing emergency backpacks.
Don't panic! Get ready.
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted Thursday, August 8, 2024. We have a RED flag for County Lagoon. We recommend avoiding areas that exceeded the water quality standard for enterococci of 70 CFU/100 mL. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
