Estuario Weekly Update
Estuarine greetings! Below are the events, opportunities and initiatives carried out in benefit of the ecosystems and communities of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, don’t miss the next Estuario Family Day, at the Jaime Benítez Park of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve.
Beginning at 2:00 p.m., there will be a land cleanup of the Lagoon, a soccer game for the whole family (4:00 p.m.), the educational talk: Manglares en peligro, un llamado a la conservación (5:00 p.m.), an ethnobotanical walk (6:00 p.m.) and Cine del Estuario, showing The Flash, at 7:00 p.m.
See you there! See more information in estuario.org/eventos.
Estuario Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the Estuario Citizen Advisory Committee will be held this Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. virtually, via Microsoft Teams.
We invite all inhabitants and friends of the San Juan Bay Estuary. To participate, register at estuario.org/eventos.
Educational workshop on the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve for Tourism Operators
The events coordination and citizen participation team of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve invites all Tourism Operators to an educational workshop about the Reserve, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Blue Lagoon Event Hall of Jaime Benítez Park.
Learn about the natural value of the reserve and its importance for tourism in the region. The workshop will be provided by marine biologist, Daritzel Cintrón and botanist, Mario García. Sign up today, at estuario.org/eventos.
Más aventuras del grupo del internado 3E
On Monday, June 24, the students of the internship of the 3E Program (Examina + Explora + Expande) of the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus visited the upper part of the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed, in Quebrada Chiclana in Caimito.
Don Juan Cruz received the group at his home, where they talked about the history of the creek and the movement led by environmental leader, Haydeé Colón, for the restoration of this natural treasure. Then, the group walked through the creek in search of birds. For many, it was the first time to see the Puerto Rican tody and hear the song of the Pájaro Bobo.
We thank Don Juan for his commitment to the conservation of our natural resources and for always being a watchman and defender of Quebrada Chiclana, part of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Vegetable Oil Handling Workshops
This past week, the students of the Estuario Waste Management Education and Awareness Internship continued their tour of workshops on correct vegetable oil handling around the municipalities of the San Juan Bay Estuary. On Tuesday, July 2, they visited the Municipality of Toa Baja, where 15 people participated.
On Monday, July 8, the students visited the Centro Comunitario Las Cucharillas’ summer camp, in the Municipality of Cataño.
On this occasion, nine children between the ages of 3-12 learned first-hand about the importance of correctly handling vegetable oil and protecting the quality of our waters.
They visualized how gray infrastructure works in their community, with the use of an Enviroscape model, a loan from the Compliance and Planning office of the Municipality of San Juan.
Disaster Debris Management Planning Workshop
Estuario participated in a workshop on planning for the management of debris due to disasters, offered by Sea Grant at the College of Engineers and Land Surveyors of Puerto Rico, last Tuesday, July 2.
A total of 43 people participated in this workshop, including private companies, municipalities and NGOs.
#PlasticFreeJuly
Let’s celebrate a plastic-free July. Follow Estuario’s advice on actions you can take to reduce your use of single-use plastics.
This week: Use reusable cups and bottles.
Learn more ways to reduce your plastic footprint, information about Law 51-2022—Law for the Prohibition of Single-Use Plastics in Puerto Rico; and the actions of the San Juan Bay Estuary for responsible waste management, in: estuario.org/desechos-acuaticos.
Exhibition: 45 Mujeres que Mueven el Caribe
We are immensely happy to see the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership Executive Director, Brenda Torres Barreto, being highlighted as one of the 45 Women who Move the Caribbean, an exhibition created by L’Oréal Caribe.
The exhibition highlights 45 Caribbean women, with illustrious careers in the fields of entrepreneurship, social responsibility, sustainability, innovation and technology, art and culture, communications, sports, diversity and inclusion, and education.
It will be open to the public at The Mall of San Juan, July 11-25 and at San Patricio Plaza, July 27-Aug. 26. Learn about the 45 outstanding women and their careers, in https://mujeresquemuevenelcaribe.com
Download Your Free Copy—San Juan Bay Estuary: Research History and Opportunities
The Estuary is pleased to share the recent publication, San Juan Bay Estuary: Research History and Opportunities; by Ariel E. Lugo and Jorge F. Bauzá Ortega.
This comprehensive document includes valuable information on research conducted in the estuarine system, calling for adding to these observations, findings, and conclusions in potential future research.
To arrange for a softcover pickup, also free of charge, please contact us at 787-725-8165.
Citizen Scientists Certification
Below are the workshops and field experiences for the coming weeks. See more information in estuario.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module:
Coastal Resilience Module:
Planting of coastal vegetation
On Saturday, June 29th, we held a coastal vegetation planting at Secret Spot, Isabela, in collaboration with Surfrider Puerto Rico. About 31 volunteers planted over 500 specimens of various species in the area.
The planting counted as field experience for the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuario Citizen Scientists Certification.
Employment Opportunities
Supporting Community Collaboration Efforts – Federal Urban Water Program— The San Juan Bay Estuary is seeking qualified applicants to support community collaboration efforts by the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, who supports the implementation of the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Accountant—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, also known as the Estuario, is seeking qualified applications for an Accountant to join our highly skilled team for projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The ideal candidate performs a variety of tasks related to budget preparation and maintenance of grant budgets.
Estuary Resident Artists – Request for Proposal —Estuario seeks artistic proposals that support the restoration work of the Juan Méndez Creek.
Media coverage
July 11, 2024. Homenajean a 45 mujeres que mueven el Caribe. Ey Boricua. Web. https://eyboricua.com/comunidad/homenajean-a-45-mujeres-que-mueven-el-caribe/
Prepare for this Hurricane Season
Get ready for this hurricane season. Download the Estuario Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide and follow its recommendations. The strength and resilience of your community starts at home.
Also visit the Estuario Virtual Community Hub, where you’ll find vital information such as relevant emergency number information and instructions for preparing emergency backpacks.
Don’t be scared! Get prepared.
Weekly Water Quality Monitoring
Evaluation conducted on Thursday, July 11, 2024. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. One station in the coastal region exceeded the water quality standard for enterococci of 70CFU/100ML, we recommend avoiding this area. Have a good weekend.
