Estuario Weekly Update
This week, we continue pushing actions to protect our waters, from community-based recycling and aquatic waste reduction initiatives to Certification for Citizen Scientists workshops and field experiences. Support, act and learn alongside the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP).
Support the SJBEP with your Refund
This tax season, consider donating your refund to conservation and management actions of the waters and ecosystems connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE).
Look for the option «Contribution to the Special Fund for the San Juan Bay Estuary», which you will find in the «Refund» box on page 1 of your individual form.
This method is possible thanks to Act 48 of 2009, which establishes the Special Fund for the SJBE.
Learn about the different methods available to donate to the SJBEP at: estuario.org/donar
Family Day at Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve
The next first Saturday of the month is approaching! Join us for a family day of learning and adventure at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Jaime Benítez Park. We will have the following activities:
[2:00 p.m.] Sports activity – Enjoy a game of badminton with family and friends.
[3:00 p.m.] Training Workshop for Water Quality Day of Puerto Rico – Get ready to participate in the eighteenth Puerto Rico Water Quality Day. Join this workshop and be part of the citizen monitoring of the water bodies of our archipelago (Green Contact/community service).
[4:00 p.m.] Ground cleanup of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve – Join our team on this waste pickup around the Reserve (Green Contact/Community Service).
[6:00 p.m.] Educational talk: The wildlife of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve – Learn about the species that inhabit the Reserve and their importance (Green Contact/community service).
We hope to see you there! No registration is required. Several activities count toward Contacto Verde or community service hours, as applicable. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at: [email protected].
Cine del Estuario
Cine del Estuario presents: How to Train Your Dragon (2025); on Saturday, March 7, 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 feature is free of charge. No registration is required. Bring your blanket or chair.
Aquatic waste reduction initiatives
In the SJBE watershed.
Recycling Pop-up in Loíza
SJBEP will be present at the next Recycling Pop-up in Loíza, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Miguel Fuentes Pinet Stadium.
Stop by our educational table and learn about the community campaign in collaboration with LimPiaR, Deja una huella limpia en Piñones, as well as the importance of conserving our waters and gray infrastructure, through the Municipality of Loíza’s efforts for the correct diversion of used vegetable oil.
The event occurs every month, on the third Saturday of each month. The following materials are diverted: #1, #2 and #5 plastics, aluminum, brass and corrugated cardboard.
Dispose of your electronics correctly
Take advantage of the electronic equipment collection event of the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in front of the Municipal Office for Emergency Management (Carr. 486 Km. 1.6, Barrio Cuevas).
They will accept computers, cell phones, tablets, chargers, computer parts and cables, routers and converter boxes, DVDs, VHSs, VCRs, GPSs, printers, fax machines and scanners, radios, sound equipment, cameras, MP3s and televisions.
Learn more about the Municipality of Trujillo Alto Recycling Program, here.
Actions for coastal resilience
Dunes and mangroves workshop
Arborist Andreína Alexatos facilitated the Coastal Resilience module workshop: Ecological Restoration of Dunes and Mangroves, to a group of 21 students at the American Military Academy, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. This workshop is part of the students’ process of Certification for Citizen Scientists and counted toward their school’s requirement for community service hours.
Planting of coastal vegetation
On Friday, February 6, three volunteers carried out a Coastal Resilience module field experience, together with SJBEP personnel, at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve.
The activity began with an introductory talk on green infrastructure restoration efforts and the value of vegetation for coastal erosion mitigation. Then, the group planted 8 specimens in the area, including pond apple, abey amarillo, guayacan tree and green buttonwood. The planting was carried out among deteriorating almond trees.
Previous plantings were reinforced by placing stakes and rocks at the base of the plants. We observed positive results: the species continue to show good development in the area.
We thank the volunteers for their commitment and enthusiasm. Each tree planted contributes to the safety and health of the ecosystems connected to the SJBE. See more activities scheduled as part of the SJBEP’s Certification for Citizen Scientists, below.
Certification for Citizen Scientists
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. Remember that all workshops and field experiences count toward Contacto Verde or community service hours. See more information at estuario.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Monday, February 23, at 8:30 a.m. at Rio Piedras and Lake Las Curías
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Tuesday, February 24, at 9:00 a.m. at San Juan Bay
Field Experience: Physical-chemical monitoring; Wednesday, February 25, at 8:00 a.m. at Laguna San José/Torrecilla
Field Experience: bacteriological monitoring; Thursday, March 5, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Participatory Bird Census Module
Field Experience for Participatory Bird Census; Saturday, February 21, at 7:00 a.m. at Laguna Blasina
Participatory Bird Census Workshop; Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience for Participatory Bird Census; on Sunday, March 8, at 7:00 a.m. in San Juan’s Central Park
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Workshop; Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience for Microplastics Characterization and Reduction; Saturday, February 28, at 9:30 a.m. at Laguna San Jose
Coastal Resilience Module
Field Experience: Plant propagation and maintenance; on Saturday, February 28, at 8:00 a.m. at Vivero Estuario at Centro TAU, Loíza
Field Experience: Ecological assessment of coral reefs; Saturday, March 7, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Ecological assessment of seagrasses; Saturday, March 7, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
We coexist with the estuary
In case you missed it: Don’t pour your used vegetable cooking oil down the sink! Know the steps to take to divert it correctly. Watch the SJBEP’s latest public service announcement below.
Weekly water quality monitoring
We thank the volunteers who supported the bacteriological monitoring performed Thursday, February 19, 2026, as part of the SJBEP Certification for Citizen Scientists’ Water Quality Monitoring module. Up next, the results:
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, February 19, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for the County Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the area that exceeded the water quality parameter «Beach Action Value» for 70 CFU/100 ML enterococcus. Remember to avoid water during rainy events. Have a good weekend.
