Weekly Estuary Update
This week we recognize and celebrate the mothers of the estuarine communities: caregivers, educators, and leaders who, through their example, cultivate environmental awareness and collective commitment. In the San Juan Bay Estuary, we continue working toward a healthier and more resilient environment, with activities that reflect that same spirit of care and connection with nature. Thank you for joining us in this collective effort.
Family day out at County Lagoon
Despite the rain, the Estuary held its usual family outing on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Activities began at 3:00 pm with an educational talk about Puerto Rico's endemic birds. Thirteen people joined us.
After the talk, the participants conducted a bird census in the Reserve with the Estuary's education team. They learned basic bird identification concepts and tips for easily locating birds in wooded areas.
Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the Macrame for Mom and Estuary Cinema activities were cancelled and postponed to a future family outing.
We thank Taller Aurora for their willingness and collaboration, and José Ramos, the administrator of Jaime Benítez Park, for his support during the activities. The next family outing will be on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Friends of the Lagoon Meeting
The Estuary invites all neighbors, users and friends of the County Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve to the next Friends of the Lagoon Meeting, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Blue Lagoon event hall of Jaime Benítez Park.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Get your access link at [link missing]. estuary.org/events.
Discovering our endemic birds
The Estuary invites you to an educational activity for children (ages 6+): Discovering Our Endemic Birds; on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am in San Patricio Forest, as part of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. This activity counts towards Green Contact hours. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Register today at [website address missing]. estuary.org/events.
Educational activities for summer camps
This summer, the Estuary will offer educational camp activities focused on water conservation. These experiences are designed for groups of up to 30 participants and will be coordinated by appointment, Monday through Friday, during June and July. Form your group to secure your spot.
The meetings will take place in natural spaces, such as Jaime Benítez Park, the Piñones State Forest, Julio E. Monagas Park and the UPR Botanical Garden in Río Piedras, with topics of biodiversity, ecosystems, water quality, green infrastructure and coastal resilience.
To coordinate, write to us at: [email protected].
Event for the blind in Jaime Benítez Park
On Saturday, April 26, the Estuary hosted a presentation for the children and blind foundation of Lions Club District 51 Central. The presentation focused on the County Estuarine Nature Reserve and its flora. Participants were able to smell and touch plant samples and learn about their uses and some basic concepts for species identification. We thank Dagmar Colón for supporting this initiative.
Field Experiences in Coastal Resilience
As part of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuary Citizen Scientist Certification, with a focus on the mangrove ecosystem, students from Robinson School, led by their teacher, Maryam Vázquez, collected red mangrove seeds and carried out a cleanup on the Pescadores Peninsula in Piñones on Thursday, April 24, 2025. They also transplanted button mangrove, black mangrove, and beach bean seedlings, and processed red mangrove propagules in pots.
On Saturday, April 26, students from the Marist School of Guaynabo planted coastal vegetation on Piñones Beach, led by teacher Zayra La Puerta. The students planted about one hundred button mangrove, sea grape, and cocoplum trees.
We are delighted to see the commitment of young people to the ecological restoration of coastal ecosystems and the water bodies connected to the estuary. Every action contributes to strengthening our coasts and developing a new generation of environmental leaders. Congratulations!
Citizen Scientist Certification
Here are the activities for the coming weeks. See more information at estuary.org/ccc.
Participatory Bird Census Module
Field Experience: Participatory Bird Census; Saturday, May 10, from 7:00 am to 10:00 am at Piñones State Forest
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop; on Thursday, May 15, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Corals and Seagrasses; on Tuesday, May 13, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Field Experience; Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, May 17, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at County Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience; Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, May 17, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at County Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological restoration of dunes and mangroves; on Thursday, May 22, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Field Experience; Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, May 24, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at County Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience; Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, May 24, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at County Lagoon
Ford Environmental Donations Call
If you are a nonprofit organization, Ford Environmental Grants will distribute $85,000 among select community environmental projects in Puerto Rico. Applications are now open until Friday, May 30, 2025.
Apply today at: https://donativosambientalesford.com
Weekly bacteriological monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, May 8, 2025. We have a GREEN flag for County Lagoon. However, we recommend avoiding areas that exceeded the "Beach Action Value" water quality parameter of 70 CFU/100 ML. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
