Estuario Weekly Update
An estuarine greeting! Through our weekly update, we share the events, initiatives, and training opportunities developed in benefit of the ecosystems and communities of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Internship for students of the UPRRP 3E Program
The adventures continue! Last Tuesday, June 11, the students of the internship of the 3E Program (Examina + Explora + Expande) of the UPRRP visited the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation, where they were received by its executive director, Dr. Javier Alemán.
After a dialogue, the students carried out a biodiversity monitoring at the Doña Inés Park Arboretum, a space of the Estuario Urban Forest Network. We are grateful to the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation for their collaboration with our youth and their commitment to the conservation of our natural resources.
On Friday, June 14, the students joined a group of veterans and volunteers from the Programa Alcance Summer Camp to plant coastal vegetation on the embankment of La Pocita de Piñones. Led by arborist, Andreína Alexatos, and the Estuario coordinator of youth participation, Agnes Pagán, they planted about 100 seedlings of red mangrove and 95 specimens of other species of coastal vegetation.
As part of the experience, they discussed how green infrastructure contributes to the creation and conservation of beach dunes, as well as to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion. Thank you, to the 30 participants who accompanied us on this field trip.
Assessment of Coral Communities
On Tuesday, June 18, four volunteers joined marine biologist, Daritzel Cintrón, on an ecological assessment of the coral communities of the Condado Lagoon, as a field trip of the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuario Citizen Scientists Certification. The citizen scientists learned, as part of this experience, the importance of coral reefs in our coastal ecosystems.
The next ecological assessment of coral communities will be on Saturday, June 29 in Isla Verde. See more information in estuario.org/ccc.
Planting of coastal vegetation
Thank you, to the 35 volunteers who participated in planting about 300 specimens of coastal vegetation in Crashboat on Saturday, June 1st! This planting counted as a field experience of the Coastal Resilience Module of the Estuario Certification of Citizen Scientists and was carried out thanks to Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico.
Learn more about the Estuario Citizen Scientists Certification and see upcoming events, at estuario.org/ccc.
Estuario Artists-in-Residence
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership seeks to select artistic proposals that will support the restoration work of the Juan Méndez Creek.
Estuario will use funds from the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” to direct the restoration of the Juan Méndez Creek through natural infrastructure interventions (blue and green), achieving the medium-term restoration of the communities affected by this body of water, many of which are Environmental Justice.
See more information in estuario.org/empleos.
Citizen Scientists Certification
Below are the events scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information at estuario.org/ccc.
Water Quality Monitoring Module:
Participatory Bird Census Module:
Characterization and Reduction of Microplastics Module:
Coastal Resilience Module:
Workshops and field trips for the Coastal Resilience Module can be validated as Green Contact or community service hours for high school students, as applicable. Learn more at: estuario.org/estudiantes.
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 Estuary Virtual Community Center, 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
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, June 20, 2024. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the areas that exceeded the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter for enterococci (70CFU/100ML). Remember to avoid water during rain events. Good weekend.
