Estuario Weekly Update
Thank you to everyone who’s supported the celebration of National Estuaries Week, between September 19 and 26, 2026. We’ll share a recap of the events soon. See you at this weekend’s events!
Below, we share with you the next actions scheduled in benefit of the conservation and management of the waters connected to the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE). Read on.
Family Day
Reserve, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Jaime Benítez Park, in celebration of bats and migratory birds. We will have the following activities:
[2:00 p.m.] Sports activity – Enjoy a game of badminton with family and friends.
[3:00 p.m.] San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (SJBEP) Talk – Learn about water conservation and management projects in the metropolitan area and how to get involved. (Contacto Verde/community service)
[3:30 p.m.] Eco Games – Learn about the ecology of insects and bats. Invite your friends! (Contacto Verde/community service)
[4:00 p.m.] Talk: Migratory Birds Visiting the Estuary – In this fascinating talk you will learn more about the species that spend time in the tropics. (Contacto Verde/community service)
[5:00 p.m.] Educational Tour: The Bats and Plants of the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve and Their Connections to Water Quality in the Estuary – Learn on this tour about the plants that are pollinated and dispersed by bats and their importance to estuary water quality. (Contacto Verde/community service)
[6:00 p.m.] Talk: Getting to Know the Bats of the Estuary – Learn about the natural history of these flying mammals. (Contacto Verde/community service)
There will be an opportunity to accumulate Contacto Verde or community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required. For more information, write to us at: [email protected]
Cine del Estuario
Cine del Estuario presents: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants; on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Jaime Benitez Park in Condado Lagoon. The film will be screened in Spanish, with English subtitles. This feature is free of charge. Bring your blanket or chair.
Explorando el Estuario
Close National Estuaries Week 2026 by joining the event, Exploring the Estuary: Documentation of Biodiversity in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve; on Saturday, September 26, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. We will document the species using the iNaturalist mobile app. We will break into groups throughout the day:
[7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.] Birds
[8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.] Marine Life
[8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.] Plants and Terrestrial Life
[10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.] Plants and Terrestrial Life
[2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.] Plants and Terrestrial Life
[4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.] Birds
[6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.] Nocturnal fauna
Exploring the Estuary counts toward Contacto Verde and community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately. Register at: estuario.org/eventos
Certification for Citizen Scientists
Join the workshops and field experiences of the SJBEP Certification for Citizen Scientists. Remember that they count towards Contacto Verde or community service hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, who must register separately.
Water Quality Monitoring Module
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, October 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Field Experience: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9:30 a.m. at the Condado Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: Bacteriological Monitoring; Thursday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Participatory Bird Census Module
Field experience; Saturday, October 10, at 7:00 a.m. in the Piñones State Forest
Citizen Scientists carry out bird census
Thank you to everyone who joined us in the most recent participatory bird census at the University of Puerto Rico’s Botanical Garden in Río Piedras, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as a field experience of the Participatory Bird Census module of the SJBEP Certification for Citizen Scientists. Congratulations to those who completed their certification!
Saturday, October 10 is October Big Day. Take part in the census at Piñones State Forest! Register, at: estuario.org/eventos
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
Evaluation carried out on Thursday, September 24, 2026. We have a GREEN flag for the Condado Lagoon. We recommend avoiding the areas that exceeded the “Beach Action Value” water quality parameter for 70 CFU/100 ML enterococci. Remember to avoid the water during rainy events. Have a good weekend.
