June 21, 2019 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – The executive director of the San Juan Bay Estuary (Estuary) announced today that the Estuary received the Learning Network Expert Award in the Environmental Justice category, presented by the Urban Waters Learning Network (UWLN). This award recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to the field of urban water protection and restoration and who have helped revitalize the surrounding communities. In the case of the Estuary, it was recognized for its relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, prioritizing the health, safety, and social well-being of the communities. The award will be presented at the 2019 River Rally in Ohio, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the nation's clean water policy following the Cayahoga River fires in Cleveland.
“At the Estuary, we are deeply honored to receive this award in recognition of the work carried out by the entire team after Hurricane Maria. It also gives us great strength to continue working diligently to empower communities and thus prevent the severe impact of anticipated weather events. Developing a mitigation plan for the metropolitan region that integrates the water component beyond territorial boundaries is key to achieving the necessary response to support community safety in vulnerable areas. The San Juan Bay Estuary system runs through the metropolitan area, and the San Juan Bay Estuary serves as a mediator to help conserve this system as we continue to move Puerto Rico toward resilience,” said Brenda Torres.
The UWLN is a non-profit organization that brings together a network of professionals and organizations who share experiences and knowledge to solve problems through collaboration. This organization is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the award is given by the same network of collaborators.
For more information about the Estuary's efforts, you can visit the social media pages: EstuarioSanJuan or visit the website www.estuario.org. You can also call the Estuary Center at (787) 725-8165.
“At the Estuary, we are deeply honored to receive this award in recognition of the work carried out by the entire team after Hurricane Maria. It also gives us great strength to continue working diligently to empower communities and thus prevent the severe impact of anticipated weather events. Developing a mitigation plan for the metropolitan region that integrates the water component beyond territorial boundaries is key to achieving the necessary response to support community safety in vulnerable areas. The San Juan Bay Estuary system runs through the metropolitan area, and the San Juan Bay Estuary serves as a mediator to help conserve this system as we continue to move Puerto Rico toward resilience,” said Brenda Torres.
The UWLN is a non-profit organization that brings together a network of professionals and organizations who share experiences and knowledge to solve problems through collaboration. This organization is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the award is given by the same network of collaborators.
For more information about the Estuary's efforts, you can visit the social media pages: EstuarioSanJuan or visit the website www.estuario.org. You can also call the Estuary Center at (787) 725-8165.
