Estuario Weekly Update
National Estuaries Week is approaching! From September 20-26, we will be commemorating the importance of these important and diverse ecosystems, with learning and action activities aimed at the conservation and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE). Read on for more details.
International Coastal Cleanup 2026
In the lead-up to National Estuaries Week, the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) joins the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup, hosted by the Scuba Dogs Society, on Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. As captains of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, we will conduct a land-based cleanup in the Reserve and an underwater cleanup in the Lagoon.
Join one of our groups! Sign up for the ground cleanup at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, HERE.
To be part of the SJBEP-led underwater cleanup, sign up HERE.
Educational Fair
While we carry out cleanup actions in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve, we will have an educational fair in celebration of National Estuaries Week, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Jaime Benítez Park.
There will be multiple educational stations, where you will learn about the ecosystems connected to the SJBE, its biodiversity and the actions we carry out to restore and manage the health of the waters that are part of its watershed.
Cine del Estuario
Cine del Estuario presents: Lilo & Stitch (2025), in a special screening as a preamble to National Estuaries Week, on Saturday, September 19, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Jaime Benitez Park. The film will be screened in Spanish, with English subtitles. Bring your chair and snacks. This screening is free of charge.
National Estuaries Week
Join us in celebrating National Estuarine Week! From Sunday, September 20 to Saturday, September 26, we have an agenda full of activities and events, including field experiences such as bird censuses, coastal vegetation plantings and water quality monitoring, tours, workshops and more.
Paddle with the Estuary
On Sunday, September 20th, we open National Estuaries Week with the event, Paddle with the Estuary; a morning of connection with nature at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve.
We will have educational activities on the importance of the health of our waters on the grounds of Jaime Benítez Park. Bring your kayak or paddle board and paddle with us from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The meeting point for kayak/paddleboard participants will be Jaime Benítez Park.
If you don’t have a kayak or paddle board, you can rent one with Night Kayak, San Juan Paddleboarding, or SUP Action Paddleboard, Co., while supplies last:
Night Kayak – Requires prior reservation. Guided eco-tour in transparent tandem kayak (for two people), approximately one (1) hour starting at 9:30am. Guides share information about the estuary, local marine life, and the surrounding ecosystem. Photos included. Book with Night Kayak HERE. Get 20% off when using code Estuario20. Location: 1014 Ashford Ave, San Juan, PR 00907.
San Juan Paddleboard – In-person rentals (walk-in) are available. Photo ID is required to rent equipment. $25 per person for two (2) hours of free use at the Reserve. They will provide $5 off when indicating that you will participate in the Paddle with the Estuary event. Location: FW3F+RFX, Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro, San Juan, PR 00907.
SUP Action Paddleboard Co. – Pre-booking preferred. $25 per person (10 years of age or older) for two (2) hours of free use at the Reserve. Book with SUP Action Paddleboard Co. HERE. Location: Avenida Fernandez Juncos, San Juan Bay Marina Local #2, San Juan, PR 00902.
Celebrate with us from anywhere on the Island! If you find yourself paddling in any other body of water on Sunday, September 20, share your photo on the social network of your choice and tag us (@estuariosanjuan).
Exploring the Estuary
On Saturday, September 26th, we close National Estuaries Week with Exploring the Estuary, a biodiversity documentation event at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. We will be documenting plants, land wildlife, birds, marine life, and nocturnal fauna, using the iNaturalist mobile app. Choose one of the groups:
Bird Documentation [7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.]
Marine Life Documentation [8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.]
Documentation of Plants and Terrestrial Life [8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.]
Documentation of Plants and Terrestrial Life [10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.]
Documentation of Plants and Terrestrial Life [2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.]
Bird Documentation [4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.]
Documentation of Nocturnal Fauna [6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.]
In preparation for the event, we will have training workshops throughout the week, where you will learn how to identify the species that inhabit the Reserve, as well as use the iNaturalist application. The workshops will be provided virtually, by Zoom, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:
September 21 – Getting to know the plants of the Reserve
September 22 – Getting to know the terrestrial life of the Reserve
September 23 – Getting to know the aquatic life of the Reserve
September 24 – Documenting the Reserve’s Biodiversity (with iNaturalist)
Don’t miss out! Documentation activities, as well as workshops, count toward Contacto Verde or community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately.
See the full calendar of events for the week and register today, at: estuario.org/eventos.
Presentation and closing discussion: El Estuario no está quieto
Join us for the closing event and celebration of the Antonio Martorell y sus Amigos’ SJBEP Artist-in-Residence on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.
During this special evening, we will premiere the documentary and present the book that collects the process and experiences of this artistic residency, along with a conversation with some of its protagonists. We will close the night with a cocktail to celebrate the culmination of this project and the encounter between art, communities and the SJBE.
The activity is open to the public, with limited spaces. To participate, it is necessary to complete the RSVP form.
Help us document restoration and conservation efforts in the SJBE watershed
Each year, we document habitat restoration and conservation efforts implemented throughout the SJBE watershed. Thus, we gather valuable information to support public investment in the region.
We urge all communities, organizations, or agencies carrying out restoration and conservation projects in the region to submit their projects for the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, including pending projects.
These projects are reported to EPA and Congress. The form must be completed by September 30, 2026. We thank all the entities that are part of this effort. Access the form: HERE.
Professional Services Contract Opportunities
Scouts Earn Plant Science Merit Badge
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, a group of Scouts from Troop 685 of Puerto Nuevo participated in a workshop to complete the requirements of the Plant Science Merit Badge, in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve.
During the activity, scouts reviewed the badge requirements, walked around the preserve to identify and collect plants, set up several samples, and shared an interesting dialogue with Mario Garcia Quesada, botanist and certified arborist, Coral Aviles Santiago, environmental scientist, and Eliezer Nieves-Rodriguez, geographer and volunteer merit badge instructor for Scouting America.
We thank the leaders of Unit 685 for their commitment and interest in strengthening the link of Scouts of Puerto Rico with nature and with the SJBE, through educational experiences and contact with nature. Congratulations!
Seed propagation carried out in Loíza
On Saturday, August 22, seven volunteers processed seeds and seedlings of coastal vegetation at Centro TAU’s plant nursery Vivero Estuario, in Loíza. In addition to transplanting seeds for use in future plantings, participants performed maintenance tasks at the nursery, including cleaning and weeding.
The activity was carried out as a Certification for Citizen Scientists’ Coastal Resilience Module field experience. It served to educate about the steps to propagate different coastal plants. Thank you to all the participants for your time and commitment. See more activities of the SJBEP Certification for Citizen Scientists, below.
Certification for Citizen Scientists
Below are the activities for the coming weeks. Remember that the workshops and field experiences count towards Contacto Verde or community service hours. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. See all activities at: estuario.org/eventos
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field Experiences: Physical-chemical monitoring; on Monday, September 14, at 8:30 a.m. in Las Curías and Río Piedras
Field Experiences: Physical-Chemical Monitoring; Tuesday, September 15, at 9:00 a.m. in San Juan Bay
Field Experiences: Physical-chemical monitoring; on Wednesday, September 16, at 8:00 a.m. in Laguna San José/La Torrecilla
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, September 17, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, September 24, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Participatory Bird Census Module
Participatory Bird Census Workshop; Tuesday, September 15, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Field experience; on Sunday, September 20, at 7:00 a.m. at the Río Piedras Botanical Garden
Coastal Resilience Module
Field Experience: Seed Collection; Sunday, September 13, at 8:00 a.m. in Hato Rey
Coastal Resilience Workshop: Ecological Assessment of Dunes and Mangroves; Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Field Experience: Seagrass Ecological Assessment; Saturday, September 19, at 12:00 p.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Propagation of coastal vegetation; on Sunday, September 20, at 8:00 a.m. in Loíza
Field Experience: Planting Coastal Vegetation; Saturday, September 26, at 8:00 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Prepare for Hurricane Season
This 2026 hurricane season, SJBEP urges you to be prepared. Download the Community Hurricane Preparedness Guide and follow its recommendations. Protecting your community starts at home.
Also visit the SJBEP’s 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
Thanks to the volunteers who supported the bacteriological monitoring of the Condado Lagoon on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as part of the Water Quality Monitoring module of the SJBEP Certification for Citizen Scientists. Up next, the results.
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, September 10, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the areas that exceeded the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter of 70 CFU/100 ML enterococci. Remember to avoid the water during rain events.
