The project seeks to educate all visitors about the ecological value of the Estuary in Puerto Rico.
Carolina, Puerto Rico – With the goal of educating about some of the most impressive ecosystems on the Island, their value for tourism and the importance of taking action to preserve them, the San Juan Bay Estuary (PEBSJ) and Aerostar Puerto Rico, operator of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (AILMM), created the first environmental exhibit that will be displayed to over 3 million local passengers and visitors in one year.
As part of the initiatives developed by both entities, the executive director of PEBSJ, Brenda Torres Barreto, and the CEO of Aerostar, Agustín Arellano, inaugurated
The exhibit "San Juan Bay Estuary: Our Window to the World" will be accessible for approximately one year to passengers passing through San Juan, in the Terminal B area, next to the Margaritaville restaurant. Afterward, it will rotate to different areas of the airport.
This is a collaborative effort between the San Juan Bay Estuary, Proyecto Coquí, Proyecto Enlace, Sea Grant, Vieques History and Conservation Trust, Arrecifes Pro-Ciudad, and Aerostar Puerto Rico.
“This is the first time we’ve presented the project in such a busy location as the airport. We are extremely excited about this exhibit, which will give visitors the opportunity to learn about the great diversity of ecosystems in the San Juan Bay Estuary System. Our goal is to motivate citizen action for the care and conservation of these natural resources through education, restoration projects, and scientific studies,” said the Estuary Director. “In addition, we are promoting tourism in the area with the various activities that visitors can enjoy, such as water adventures or simply walking or biking while admiring the landscapes this ecosystem offers,” Torres added.
On the other hand, for the San Juan Bay Estuary, any effort that advances the restoration agenda for the water bodies in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico is a matter of great importance. This includes monitoring water quality at 25 points throughout the watershed, as well as providing education through schools and community centers. Furthermore, it offers educational opportunities related to the ecosystems of the San Juan Estuary, such as the underwater walkway at Condado Plaza Beach, the water quality alert system in the Condado Lagoon, and exhibits about the estuary in spaces frequented by residents and visitors.
For Arellano, supporting the efforts of the San Juan Bay Estuary is more than a commitment; it's a duty. “If we want to boost tourism on an island surrounded by water, we have to protect our waterways and the environment. This is fundamental to being able to offer tourists more and better experiences within Puerto Rico,” added the CEO of Aerostar Puerto Rico.
For this reason, Aerostar has developed a very extensive environmental support plan that includes initiatives, both in support of non-governmental organizations and in the airport facilities and surrounding areas.
“In addition to supporting the estuary and the fishermen who depend on it, we have developed multiple internal initiatives to promote recycling and reduce water and energy consumption. Since Aerostar's arrival at the airport, we have collected 200 tons of recyclable material and fostered a culture of environmental conservation. As part of the airport's renovation, undertaken by Aerostar, all traditional lighting was replaced with LEDs, and more efficient equipment was installed. This represents a reduction in energy consumption of approximately 15% since 2013. Furthermore, water consumption has decreased by 43%,” explained Arellano.
For more information and other initiatives about the San Juan Bay Estuary, you can visit the website www.estuario.org or the Facebook page Estuario: Ciudad de las aguas.
