Estuario Weekly Update
Greetings! Below, we share events, initiatives, and opportunities scheduled in benefit of the waters, ecosystems, and communities of the San Juan Bay Estuary.
Coral Reef Workshop
This Oceans Day, Saturday, June 8, accompany the marine biologist, Daritzel Cintrón and geologist, Eliezer Nieves, to the workshop, Sumérgete en el arrecife de coral: biodiversidad, conservación y resiliencia; from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Jaime Benítez Park of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve.
This workshop counts towards Green Contact hours.
Note: We will not be entering the water.
Register today, at: estuario.org/eventos.
Family Day
On Saturday, June 1st, we held the most recent Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, celebrating Dad.
Starting at 2:00 p.m., our experts, Daritzel Cintrón and Coral Avilés, led an interpretive kayak tour, where they spoke about the natural resources of the reserve. Six people enjoyed two hours of learning while kayaking.
At 4:00 p.m., we enjoyed a volleyball game, where more than ten people participated. At 5:00 p.m., we began a treasure hunt, with over 15 people.
Later, at 6:00 p.m., our education team instructed us on the topic of Puerto Rico’s endemic birds. 20 people participated in this workshop.
To end the night, 78 people enjoyed Cine del Estuario’s screening of Spider Man: Across the Spider Verse.
We thank San Juan Paddle Board, for their contribution to the interpretive tour, and the Autonomous Municipality of San Juan, especially Héctor Sáez and José Ramos, for their collaboration.
The next Family Day will be on Saturday, July 13. See you then!
Workshop for Educators
On Saturday, June 1st, we held the first of two training workshops for educators, Estuario Verde: descubriendo la biodiversidad de los bosques urbanos! During the workshop, we reviewed the ecosystems of the San Juan Bay estuary watershed, their biodiversity, and opportunities for educational trips with school groups.
We reviewed the importance of urban forests and the challenges of living in an urbanized region, but full of biodiversity. Then we reviewed urban birds, both endemic and native. We ended the workshop with a botanical interpretive tour.
We thank the education and management team of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve: Mario García, Coral Avilés and Eliezer Nieves.
The second workshop for educators, Estuario Azul: ecosistemas costeros, biodiversidad y calidad de agua, will be on Saturday, July 13. Interested educators can register at: estuario.org/eventos.
Citizen Scientists Certification
Below are the activities scheduled for the coming weeks. See more information at: estuario.org/ccc.
Participatory Bird Census Module:
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module:
Coastal Resilience Module:
Employment Opportunities
Accountant – The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership is seeking qualified applications for an Accountant to join our highly skilled team for projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Community Relations Support—Urban Waters Federal Partnership – The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership is seeking qualified applicants to provide Community Relations support to the Urban Waters Ambassador, who supports the implementation of the CMP Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Environmental Economist – The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership is looking to hire an Environmental Economist to oversee projects and stakeholder facilitation related to Estuario’s Economic Valuation Study, which will determine the economic value of assets and services of the San Juan Bay Estuary system.
Recruiting Services—Request for Proposals – The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership requests proposals from qualified individuals or firms to provide recruiting services for various open positions (contractor and staff).
Artists in Residence of the Estuary—Request for Proposals – The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership seeks to select artistic proposals that support the restoration work of the Juan Méndez Creek.
Other Activities
Volunteers Needed for Recycling Stations:
Support the community campaign, Que no toque el piso ni llegue al agua, at the Tito Matos Fest recycling stations, on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 at Taller Comunidad La Goyco. The hours will count as a field trip for the Microplastic Characterization and Reduction module of the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership Citizen Scientist Certification. See the available appointments and register today, here.
Environmental Fair:
Estuario will be present at the Trujillo Alto Environmental Fair, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Paseo del Bicentenario.
Media Coverage
June 6, 2024. Posible derrame de combustible en Laguna del Condado. Las Noticias 11:00 a.m. Telemundo PR. <vídeo>
June 6, 2024. Investigan posible derrame de combustible en Laguna del Condado. Jugando Pelota Dura. TeleOnce. <vídeo>
June 6, 2024. Investigan posible derrame de aceite o combustible en la laguna del Condado. El Nuevo Día. https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/seguridad/notas/investigan-posible-derrame-de-aceite-o-combustible-en-la-laguna-del-condado/
June 6, 2024. La Guardia Costera no localizó la fuente de presunto derrame en la laguna de Condado. El Nuevo Día. https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/la-guardia-costera-no-localizo-la-fuente-de-presunto-derrame-en-la-laguna-de-condado/
June 6, 2024. EPA y agencias anuncian fondos para mejorar la planta de tratamiento de aguas sanitarias de Bayamón. WIPR TV. https://wipr.pr/epa-y-agencias-anuncian-fondos-para-mejorar-la-planta-de-tratamiento-de-aguas-sanitarias-de-bayamon/
Message from your Virtual Community Hub
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
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, June 6, 2024. We have a RED flag for the Condado Lagoon, in response to the recent diesel spill that occurred in the region. As a precaution, we recommend avoiding the water. Please stay tuned to our platforms for updates.
