Estuario Weekly Update
National Estuaries Week
During this week, we will have a series of activities, both face-to-face and virtual, that will allow you to explore and learn about the importance of our estuaries and how we can protect them. Some of the highlighted activities include:
Educational Talks: Learn about marine life, estuarine conservation, and the challenges facing our coastal ecosystems.
Interactive workshops: Participate in practical workshops to learn about the flora and fauna of our estuaries.
Guided Tours: Experience first-hand the natural beauty of the estuary.
We will culminate the week with the first BioBlitz in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. A BioBlitz is a citizen science activity where the biodiversity of a place is monitored for a certain period of time. It’s a great way to engage the public and connect with the environment while generating useful data for science and conservation.
The information obtained will be of great help for the management of the reserve and for the elaboration of educational materials. This event will give you the opportunity to contribute to scientific research by documenting local biodiversity alongside experts in the field.
Using the iNaturalist app:
To participate in this BioBlitz, we will use the iNaturalist application, a powerful tool that will allow you to document and share your observations of the flora and fauna you find in the area. If you’re not familiar with this app, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Introduction to iNaturalist workshop:
On Monday, September 18, at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom, we invite you to a virtual introductory workshop to iNaturalist. In this workshop, you will learn how to use the app, how to upload observations, and how to contribute meaningfully to citizen science.
Species workshops during the week:
During National Estuaries Week, we will offer a series of additional workshops focused on the different species you can find in the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. These workshops will give you detailed information about the plants, birds, fish, invertebrates and other living things that inhabit the estuary.
You can choose to participate in the workshops that interest you most and that fit your preferences. Each workshop will be led by experts in the field and give you valuable insights into local wildlife. Below are the dates and topics of the workshops:
- September 18 – iNaturalist
- September 19 – Aquatic Life
- September 20 – Plants
- September 21 – Amphibians in the urban patch
- September 22 – Birds
Together, we can make a difference in preserving our estuaries and making sure they remain a treasure for future generations. We invite you to bring the whole family and participate in this week full of discovery and fun!
For more information on the full National Estuaries Week program and how to get involved, visit our website (estuario.org/eventos) or follow us on social media.
We hope to see you there!
Family day at Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve
National Estuaries Week kicks off in style! Join us for the Family Day at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve on Saturday, September 16, 2023, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Jaime Benitez Park.
We’ll have meals and educational tables, a lionfish capture event that you can observe, estuarine games, an interpretive tour and Cine del Estuario, among other activities. Go to estuario.org/eventos for more details. Sign up to receive more information.
International coastal clean-up with Estuario
As every year, we will join the Scuba Dogs Society for the 2023 International Coastal Cleanup, to be held from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Condado Lagoon Natural Estuarine Reserve. Our station in the Reserve will be one of around 200 locations organized by the Scuba Dogs Society.. Scuba Dogs Society will certify green/community hours (4 hours) to participants.
Workshop for interpreters
The San Juan Bay Estuary and the San Juan National Historic Site invite heritage interpreters, environmental interpreter guides, tour guides and community leaders to the workshop, History, Water and City: Techniques for Interpreting the Heritage Resources of San Juan Bay; Sunday, September 17, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Castillo San Cristobal, Old San Juan.
The workshop instructors will be Carlos Almodóvar, from the San Juan Historical Site and Eliezer Nieves, from the Estuary, both instructors certified by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). The workshop counts as contact hours for the NAI CIG recertification.
Sign up today, at estuario.org/eventos.
Certification for citizen scientists
Next up, the activities scheduled for certification. Learn more about the thematic modules, certification process and register today, at: estuario.org/ccc/.
Coastal resilience module:
- September 9 – Field trip: planting of coastal vegetation; from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Laguna del Condado
- September 9 – Field trip: monitoring coral communities [for high school students]; 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The location will be shared with those registered.
- September 12 – Ecological assessment of fish and their aquatic communities; virtual workshop from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. by Zoom
- September 14 – Dunes and mangroves; virtual workshop from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. by Zoom
- September 15 – Field trip: red mangrove monitoring; 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Laguna del Condado
- September 17 – Field trip: monitoring fish and coral communities [for high school students]; 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The location will be shared with those registered.
- September 24 – Field trip: monitoring seagrass communities [for high school students]; 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Participatory bird census module:
- September 20 – Field trip: participatory bird census; from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Botanical Garden of Río Piedras
Water quality module:
- September 21 – Field trip: bacteriological monitoring at Laguna del Condado and nearby beaches; 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Microplastics characterization and reduction module:
- September 22 – Field trip: monitoring of microplastics in Laguna San José; from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Employment opportunity
AUDIT & TAX SERVICES CONTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT: Estuario is seeking interested certified public accountants that have experience in providing audit and tax services to nonprofit organizations. See the listing, here.
Mangroves planted in Arecibo
Last Saturday, September 2, 2023, we planted about 830 mangroves in the mangrove swamp adjacent to the Yacht Club in Arecibo, as part of our certification for citizen scientists’ coastal resilience module. About 150 pounds of trash were also collected. The event was held in collaboration with Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico. We thank all the volunteers and citizen scientists who joined us!
See the photo gallery, here.
Message from your Virtual Community Hub
Download our community hurricane preparedness guide today and use its recommendations during this hurricane season.
The strength and endurance of your community begins at home.
Stay informed!
Take advantage of our information platform, the Estuario Virtual Community Hub, where you will find vital information to prepare with your family and community.
To learn about risk mitigation strategies at Estuario and identify the risks, conditions and assets in your community, go to: https://estuario.org/mitigacion/
Weekly water quality monitoring
