Estuario Weekly Update
The next Family Day, an urban tour, an art auction and National Estuaries Week are approaching; see below the events and activities scheduled for the coming weeks in benefit of the conservation and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE).
Remember that we continue to collect information on environmental restoration actions in the region. Keep reading!
Family Day
Join us for the Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in celebration of West Indian Manatee Conservation Day. We will have talks, a sports activity, art, an interpretive tour, and opportunities to accumulate Contacto Verde or community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not necessary. See the agenda of activities at: estuario.org/eventos
Cine del Estuario
Cine del Estuario presents: Michael (2026); on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Jaime Benítez Park of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. The film will be screened in Spanish, with English subtitles. This screening is free of charge. Bring your blanket or chair.
Urban Trail
Join us for the Urban Trail: Discovering the connections between the city’s water and the estuary; on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in the Jaime Benítez Park of the Laguna del Condado Natural Estuarine Reserve.
This trail counts toward Contacto Verde or community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. Register today, at: estuario.org/eventos
Gallery Tuesday
San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) invites you to: Martes de Galería en Santurce, September 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Petrus Gallery (726 Hoare Street, San Juan, PR 00907). There will be a silent auction of works to benefit various organizations.
See more information at: petrusgallery.com
Save the Date: Paddle with the SJBEP
Let’s row together for the health and conservation of our bodies of water!
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., from the body of water you frequent, join us in kayaking, paddle boarding, or preferred paddle sport and help us raise awareness about the importance of protecting, restoring, and conserving our aquatic ecosystems.
SJBEP will be paddling from the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, where we will also be learning about the ecological importance of the Lagoon and conservation actions, but you can join from any body of water in Puerto Rico! This activity will be part of our celebration of Estuaries Week.
We’ll share more details soon.
Help us document restoration and conservation efforts in the SJBE watershed
Each year, we document habitat restoration and conservation efforts implemented throughout the SJBE watershed. Thus, we gather valuable information to support public investment in the region.
We urge all communities, organizations, or agencies carrying out restoration and conservation projects in the region to submit their projects for the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, including pending projects.
These projects are reported to EPA and Congress. The form must be completed by September 30, 2026. We thank all the entities that are part of this effort. Access the form: HERE.
Employment Opportunity
Actions for coastal resilience
During the month of August 2026, we carried out several green infrastructure restoration actions in the coastal regions connected to the SJBE:
On Saturday, August 1, twelve volunteers planted about 135 red mangrove seedlings on the southwest shoreline of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve.
On Saturday, August 8, nine volunteers planted some 173 specimens of coastal vegetation, including red mangrove, black mangrove and white mangrove, this time in the northwest area of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve.
On Saturday, August 15, nine volunteers collected around 2,256 red mangrove seedlings along the Martín Coll linear promenade in Hato Rey.
The three activities counted as field experience of the Coastal Resilience module of the SJBEP Certification for Citizen Scientists, with a focus on mangrove ecosystems. We appreciate the commitment and action of these volunteers. You make the restoration of our coasts possible! And congratulations to those who completed their certification.
Certification for Citizen Scientists
Below are the activities for the coming weeks. Remember that the workshops and field experiences count towards Contacto Verde or community service hours. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. See all the activities at: estuario.org/eventos
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, September 3, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; on Thursday, September 3, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-chemical parameters; on Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, September 10, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop; Tuesday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrass; Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience: Planting of coastal vegetation; Saturday, September 12, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, September 12, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological Evaluation of Seagrasses; Saturday, September 12, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Seed Collection; Sunday, September 13, at 8:00 a.m. in Hato Rey
Prepare for Hurricane Season
This 2026 hurricane season, SJBEP urges you to be prepared. Download the Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide and follow its recommendations. Protecting your community starts at home.
Also visit the SJBEP’s Virtual Community Hub, where you’ll find vital information such as relevant emergency numbers and instructions for preparing emergency backpacks.
Don’t be alarmed! Be prepared.
Weekly water quality monitoring
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, August 27, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the coastal area that exceeded the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter of 70 CFU/100 ML enterococci. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
