Estuario Weekly Update
An estuarine greeting! Each week in the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) brings new opportunities to connect science, community, and action, whether through a planting, the exchange of ideas during a workshop, or through the enthusiasm of citizen scientists completing their certification. Below, we share with you the events, initiatives and training opportunities aimed at strengthening the resilience of our waters.
Family Day
The most recent Estuario Family Day was full of educational activities and learning. The day began at three in the afternoon with the talk entitled Come pez león (Eat lionfish), where 15 participants learned about the ecology and the different ways of consuming lionfish. Thanks to Jannette Ramos, from Sea Grant, for her valuable contribution and commitment to research and education.
After the talk, several young people enjoyed a treasure hunt, focused on looking for information about the flora of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, and its relationship with the water quality of the Lagoon. The SJBEP also led an interpretive tour, focused on the water of the Lagoon and its connection to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE). Eight people participated in the tour.
We closed the night with Cine del Estuario, where 51 people joined to enjoy the movie Wonka. We are grateful for the continued collaboration and support of Jose Ramos, Jaime Benitez Park Manager, Jannette Ramos, Sea Grant, and the park police.
The next Family Day will be on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at the Jaime Benítez Park of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. See you then!
Contract opportunity
Estuario is seeking a senior-level service provider with proven experience in blue, green, and grey infrastructure to lead a cross-sector collaboration aimed at identifying needs, exploring potential solutions, and developing a comprehensive restoration plan for the Juan Méndez Creek in the Municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Planting in the Condado Lagoon
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, 19 participants planted about 600 specimens of coastal vegetation in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, including red mangrove, white mangrove, black mangrove and green buttonwood. The planting was carried out as field experience for the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuario Certification for Citizen Scientists, with a focus on the mangrove ecosystem.
Learn more about the Coastal Resilience module and the Estuario Certification for Citizen Scientists, in estuario.org/ccc.
Certification for Citizen Scientists
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information in estuario.org/ccc. Remember that we offer community and Green Contact hours.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Physical-chemical parameters; Tuesday, June 17, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience of Water Quality Monitoring: Physical-chemical parameters; on Monday, June 23, at 8:00 a.m. at Lake Las Curías and the Piedras River.
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological monitoring; Monday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field Experience of Water Quality Monitoring: Physical-chemical parameters; Tuesday, June 24, at 9:00 a.m. in San Juan Bay
Field Experience of Water Quality Monitoring: Physical-chemical parameters; Wednesday, June 25, at 8:00 a.m. at Laguna San Jose
Water Quality Monitoring Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, June 26, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological restoration of dunes and mangroves; Thursday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, June 21, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, June 21, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs and Seagrasses; Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Wednesday, June 25, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Wednesday, June 25, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Planting coastal vegetation; Saturday, June 28, at 8:00 a.m. in Piñones
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 numbers and instructions for preparing emergency backpacks.
Don’t be scared! Be prepared.
Weekly water quality monitoring
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, June 12, 2025. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the coastal areas that have exceeded the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter for enterococci of 70 CFU/100 ML. Remember to avoid the water during precipitation events.
