Estuario Weekly Update
This week, as part of International Recycling Day, we reaffirm our commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices in the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) watershed. This commemoration, held every May 17, reminds us that small actions, such as reusing and recycling, can have a big impact on the health of our ecosystems and communities.
From cleanups to educational workshops and green infrastructure projects, we continue to promote solutions from citizen action. Thank you for being part of this movement!
Recycling pop-up in Loíza
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, International Recycling Day, LimPiaR will have its next Recycling Pop-up, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Parque Miguel Fuentes Pinet, in Loíza.
Bring your plastics (#1, #2, #5), aluminum, and corrugated cardboard. This collection event takes place on the third Saturday of each month.
As part of the collaborative campaign between LimPiaR and the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP), Deja una huella limpia en Piñones, the SJBEP will be present with its educational table, where you will learn about the initiatives for the restoration and management of the waters connected to the SJBE. Visit us!
International Recycling Day with Trujillo Alto
Join the education and orientation campaign on the launch of the Recycling Program of Trujillo Alto’s rural areas.
As part of the celebration of International Recycling Day, on Saturday, May 17, the municipality of Trujillo Alto will be collecting cardboard, paper, newspaper, bottles and plastic containers type #1 and #2 and aluminum cans, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Government Center, Barrio Pueblo. Electronic equipment will also be collected. Fruit and medicinal trees will be given to the first 50 participants.
Educational activities for summer camps
This summer, the SJBEP will offer educational activities for camps, focused on the conservation of our waters. The experiences are aimed at groups of 30 participants and will be coordinated by appointment, from Monday to Friday during the months of June and July. Form your group and get a space.
The meetings will be held in natural spaces, such as the Jaime Benítez Park, the Piñones State Forest, the Julio E. Monagas Park and the UPR Botanical Garden in Río Piedras, with topics of biodiversity, ecosystems, water quality, green infrastructure and coastal resilience.
To coordinate, write to us at: [email protected].
Estuario provides vegetable oil handling workshop to the Municipality of Trujillo Alto
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the SJBEP offered a training workshop to the staff of the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, focused on the importance of the correct diversion of used vegetable oil. During the session, the environmental impacts of its improper management were discussed, as well as strategies to promote and strengthen the diversion program in the municipality.
A total of 30 municipal employees participated in the workshop. We thank Ronalisse Esteban, municipal Recycling Coordinator, for the invitation and her valuable collaboration in achieving cleaner and healthier bodies of water in the SJBE watershed.
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 service and Contacto Verde hours, as applicable.
Microplastics Characterization and Reduction Module
Microplastic Characterization and Reduction Field Experience; Saturday, May 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Laguna San José
Coastal Resilience Module
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Restoration of Dunes and Mangroves; Thursday, May 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Coral Reefs; Saturday, May 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Ecological Assessment of Seagrasses; Saturday, May 24, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Coastal Resilience Field Experience: Planting coastal vegetation; Saturday, May 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Ford Environmental Donations
If you are a nonprofit, Ford Environmental Donations will distribute $85,000 to select environmental community projects in Puerto Rico. The application is now open, until Friday, May 30, 2025.
Apply today, at: https://donativosambientalesford.com
Weekly water quality monitoring
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, May 15, 2025. We have a RED flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the areas that have exceeded the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter for enterococci of 70 CFU/100 ML. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
