Weekly Estuary Update
This week we're creating space for dialogue, action, and community participation to benefit the waters and ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay estuary. We invite you to get involved in decision-making through the Citizens' Advisory Committee, contribute your professional expertise, and join initiatives that reduce aquatic waste. Every effort contributes to the restoration and responsible management of the waters that connect us!
Meeting of the Estuary Citizens' Advisory Committee
The San Juan Bay Estuary invites you to the next Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Estuary offices and with virtual space, via Zoom.
We will share the progress of the 2026 fiscal year work plan and discuss the proposed plan for 2027. This space is an opportunity to learn about the actions we are taking for the restoration and management of the waters and ecosystems connected to the estuary, ask questions, share ideas, and be part of the dialogue that strengthens this collaborative work.
Confirm your participation, in estuary.org/events.
Reducing aquatic waste in the estuary
The following are recent recycling and waste reduction initiatives and actions across the San Juan Bay estuary watershed:
Tree by Tree
Dispose of your Christmas tree conveniently and responsibly. Stop by the Community Drop-off Center at the Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Thanks to the Municipality of San Juan for this initiative.
Opportunity for a professional services contract
Citizen Scientist Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. Remember that all workshops and field experiences count toward Green Contact hours or community service. See more information at [website address]. estuary.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field experience: Bacteriological monitoring; on Thursday, January 15, at 9:30 am at the County Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; on Thursday, January 15, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-Chemical Parameters; on Tuesday, January 20th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Field experience: Bacteriological monitoring; on Thursday, January 22, at 9:30 am at the County Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological restoration of dunes and mangroves; on Thursday, January 22, at 7:00 pm via Zoom
Planting of coastal vegetation in Piñones
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, fifteen participants planted over 600 buttonwood and sea bean seedlings in Piñones as part of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification program. The field experience included an educational talk on the importance of the mangrove ecosystem within the context of this priority coastal area. We appreciate the environmental action of these citizen scientists and congratulate them on continuing their certification process.
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Due to the current holiday season, we did not conduct bacteriological monitoring for County Lagoon and surrounding shores this week. The next assessment will be carried out on Thursday, January 15, and published on Friday, January 16, 2026. Have a good weekend.
