Estuario Weekly Update
An estuarine greeting! Today, Friday, July 26, we commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, as observed by UNESCO. Mangroves are tropical coastal ecosystems, providing unique spaces as home and cradle for multiple species. In Puerto Rico, one-third of the island’s mangroves are found within the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed.
Mangroves also contribute to the protection of coastal communities, creating natural barriers against storm surges and atmospheric phenomena. They also prevent the erosion of our coasts and absorb a large amount of carbon.
This is why the restoration and management of mangrove ecosystems is part of the Coastal Resilience thematic module of the Estuario Citizen Scientists Certification. Learn more about the certification, at: estuario.org/ccc.
Below, we share the events, opportunities and initiatives scheduled to benefit the waters, ecosystems and communities of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve
The next Family Day is approaching! On Saturday, August 3rd, join us at the Jaime Benítez Park in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. We will have the following activities:
[2:00 p.m.] Sports activity for the whole family
[3:00 p.m.] Educational Talk – Protecting Our Waters: Identifying and Reporting Illicit Discharges
[4:00 p.m.] Educational Talk – Biodiversity of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Nature Reserve
[5:00 p.m.] Silent Disco Party (end of summer)
Then, at 7:30 p.m., Cine del Estuario presents: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The film will be screened in Spanish, with English subtitles. As always, this feature will be free of charge. Bring your blanket or chair!
See more information at: estuario.org/eventos.
Informative talk for Certified Tour Guides
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership and the Association of Tourist Guides of Puerto Rico invite all Certified Tour Guides to participate in the informative talk: Certificación de Ciudadanos Científicos para Guías Turísticos de Puerto Rico; on Wednesday, August 7, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Sign up here.
Coastal resilience in the San Juan Bay Estuary
Last Thursday, July 19 and Friday, July 19, we carried out ecological evaluations of the coral reefs of Condado Lagoon and Balneario El Escambrón, respectively. Ecological assessments of the Condado Lagoon seagrass communities were also conducted. Together, about 20 citizen scientists participated, led by the coordinators, Agnes Pagán and Daritzel Cintrón.
Then, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, a coastal vegetation planting event was held in the Condado Lagoon. About 30 participants supported the planting, including members of Girl Scouts Troop 400. They planted over 300 specimens of coastal vegetation, including mangroves and seagrapes.
We thank all the volunteers who accompanied us and highlight the work of Scout Jomaris Ramos, who participated in this coastal restoration event as part of her Gold Medal project.
#PlasticFreeJuly
Let’s celebrate a plastic-free July. Follow the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership’s advice on actions you can take to reduce your use of single-use plastics.
This week: Learn about Law 51-2022—Law for the Prohibition of Single-Use Plastics in Puerto Rico; and the joint regulation of DACO and the DNER to prohibit the use and sale of single-use plastics.
You can find these documents and more tips to reduce your environmental footprint on the Estuario Aquatic Debris portal: estuario.org/desechos-acuaticos.
Citizen Scientists Certification
Below are the events scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information at: estuario.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module:
Coastal Resilience Module:
See more events at: estuario.org/ccc.
Employment opportunities
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.
Operations Auditor—The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) is seeking qualified applicants for the Operations Auditor contract to constantly evaluate processes and operations, and assess financial and compliance to prevent risks of operations under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds.
Artistas Residentes del Estuario – Request for Proposals—Los Artistas Residentes del Estuario generan expresiones artísticas con el objetivo de involucrar a los ciudadanos en el proceso de conservación y restauración de la cuenca estuarina, de una manera creativa y culturalmente relevante.
[Download your free copy] San Juan Bay Estuary: Research History and Opportunities
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership 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 free paperback pickup, contact us at 787-725-8165.
Media coverage
Deborah Martorell. July 19, 2024. ¿Cómo puede ser un ciudadano científico? Vívelo Verde. Noticias. TeleOnce PR. https://teleonce.com/noticias/locales/como-puede-ser-un-ciudadano-cientifico/
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 get scared! Get prepared.
Weekly water quality monitoring
Assessment conducted on Thursday, July 25, 2024. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend, however, avoiding all the areas that exceeded the enterococci water quality standard of 70CFU/100ML. Remember to avoid the water after rain events.
