Highlights of September 2014

          

Javier Laureano, Cecilio Ortiz and Ernesto Díaz at the congressional briefing 

A diverse public was commited to the discussion at the Trash Free Waters Workshop

One of the trees planted in the Ponce de León Avenue

Dr. Jorge Bauzá at the Citizen Science Conference

      1) SJBEP at a Congressional briefing on climate change: on September 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the President of our Scientific and Technical Committee, Ernesto Díaz, with our Executive Director, Javier Laureano, and a representative from the University Of Puerto Rico, Ceciclio Ortiz, offered a presentation to a group of advisors and staffers from the US Congress about the climate crisis of the Island.

The briefing was organized by Congressman Pedro Pierluisi and Congresswoman Kristen Gillibrand. After the briefing the group attended a press conference and a TV interview with Univisión Azteca.

The event was sponsored by the Rockefeller Family Fund, the Latino Climate Action Network, and El Puente. 
School performed water quality tests; Santurce, where volunteers created a vertical garden; Isla de Cabras, and a planting in Chiclana Creek in Caimito. Thanks to all the volunteers and the Environmental Protection Agency for sponsoring this project.

2) Estuary 360:  Planting, monitoring and cleanup the SJBE's watershed.  Last Saturday, September 6, 2014 the SJBEP organized an event with community members, students, volunteers from government agencies and private corporations to help enhance and restore several sites of the watershed. In only one of the sites (Esperanza Peninsula), the volunteers recovered 550 plastic bottles within one hour. Other sites included: the San Juan Bay, where students from the Onofre Carballeira

3) The SJBEP organized an innovative Trash Free Waters Workshop in junction with the United Nations Environmental Programme, EPA headquarters and the PR Recycling Partnership.  On Tuesday, September 9, 2014 our organization sponsored a key workshop to draft an agenda for action to work with the aquatic trash situation that is affecting the globe. EPA headquarters selected the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed as a pilot project to tests comprehensive policies and partnerships that effectively prevent land-based produced debris to reach the water bodies.

Thanks to the participation of Carla Friedrich from UNEP-Regional Office of North America- we were able to present a global perspective of the problem; Mark Liechtenstein from the Puerto Rico Recycling Partnership offered a view of effective policies that are being implemented at the regional level; and Noemi Mercado from EPA headquarters presented the Agency's Trash Free Waters objectives and multi-sectorial view of the aquatic debris situation.

The workshop is being transcribed into a document that will be available online in the next couple of weeks.

4) The SJBEP creates a new urban ecological corridor: Thanks to a contribution from Mitsubishi Motors to enhance our EPA-sponsored urban planting project, we were able to plant 200 trees along 5.6 miles of the Ponce de Leon Avenue and the Ashford Avenue.  These are two of the main urban arteries of the metropolitan area of San Juan and had hundreds of abandoned planters that were turned into improvised trash cans. We were able to bring new soil to the planters and plant 200 new trees that will now enhance the urban ecosystem of San Juan and bring birds, butterflies, and improve storm water quality.

Our organization is in conversations with the Municipality to have the municipal government join the initiative to water and maintain in good condition these new trees.

5) SJBEP creates a new wetland forest of 300 trees in the Cucharillas Wetland:  From August 27 to September 3, 2014 the SJBEP planted 300 trees in this nature reserve that is co-managed by the community leadership of the Juana Matos neighborhood in Cataño represented by Pedro Carrión and Corredor del Yaguazo. This new wetland forest will improve the hydrological functions of the ecosystem and increase its fauna and ecological services.

6) Citizen Science Conference:  Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency coordinated the Citizen Science Conference on September  11 and 12, 2014. During this opportunity the SJBEP was able to present during the two days several of its key citizen science projects and achievements, such as our water quality monitoring programs, bird and fish censuses. Citizen science is an essential part of the work our organization does to further public participation. 

                                                                                                         

Highlights for May-June 2014

The new vertical garden of the Art Deco building on the Ponce de León avenue.

A volunteer prepares one of the PVC pipe planters used in the vertical gardens.

A group of volunteers proudly show their vertical garden installed at the old Rainbow building in the Ponce de León avenue.

Education Manager, Javier Cardona, shows a paper mask of a Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari), one of the wild residents of the estuary, during a school workshop.

Special thanks to María de Lourdes Panet, Marixa Maldonado, Neysha Jiménez, Edwin Arana and Dinorah Lozano, now certified volunteers under the program "Educadores del Estuario".

Cristina Ramírez and her group of volunteers showing all the trash they picked up near sewer openings.

If left unchecked, pluvial sewers openings can become obstructed with sediments and debris, a situation that is detrimental to both the health of the Condado Lagoon and the flooding frecuency of the community.

Among the affected species there were mojarras, snooks, blue crabs and sardines.

A restored wetland in Malibu, California. A couple of years ago this used to be barren land, showing the great potential of wetland restoration projects.

Gardens and murals of the estuary continues. One of our most popular projects, Gardens and Murals of the Estuary continues its course with several new interventions in Santurce. Thanks to the arrival of the Summer, many students have been able to join the work as volunteers. The recently intervened buildings include the old Art Deco and Rainbow buildings in the Ponce de León avenue. Changing the appearance of abandoned buildings with vertical gardens brings life and a sense of well-being to urban dwellers, and increases the biodiversity of the city.

 Don't miss this and other great urban restoration projects on the link below!

• http://www.elpostantillano.com/justicia-social/10639-renia-fermaint-rosa.html 

Javier Cardona, our Education Program coordinator, brings the Estuary to different classrooms and communities.  With a variety of workshops and hands-on activities on the field, many students have increased their knowledge of the estuary through a combination of art and science! Mr. Cardona recently certified a group of trained volunteers that will expand the capacity of the Education Program to reach different school and audiences by providing workshops and leading field activities. See the pictures above! 

For the full story click here:

• http://estuario.org/index.php/component/content/article/89-noticias/587-taller-de-mascaras-inspiradas-en-animales-del-estuario

Cleaning of runoff sewers in Alto del Cabro. The Alto del Cabro community in Santurce has several pluvial sewers that discharge directly to the Condado Lagoon. As part of the project "The Condado Lagoon is my home", Cristina Ramírez, the project coordinator, led a team of volunteers that cleaned the debris accumulated around the sewer entrances. The debris cleaned included cigarette butts, plastic and glass bottles, as well as plastic wraps and other trash. All of these would have ended up as marine debris in the Condado Lagoon if they weren't picked up before the next rainfall. Thanks to all the volunteers that participated on this initiative!

Recent fish mortality event at San José Lagoon. At the beginning of June, residents and tour guides that work in the San José lagoon noticed a great number of dead fishes and crabs. Water quality monitoring for the weeks prior to this event showed low oxygen levels as well as an elevated pH, all common measurements of an eutrophication event. Also during this week the water had been unusually green, yet another indication of an algae bloom that is the precursor of fish mortality events. When the algae dies it drops to the bottom of the lagoon where it is decomposed by bacteria, which consume all available oxygen while digesting the algae. This results is a sharp drop in oxygen levels in the water, hence the marine life asphyxiates. 

Although there are many drivers that contribute to the euthrophication-algae bloom-fish mortality cycle, poor water circulation is a big factor. For this reason we stress, once again, on the vital importance of dredging the Martín Peña Channel. In the past, the Martín Peña Channel connected the San Juan Bay with the San José Lagoon. Since the channel is obstructed, there is no tidal flushing that could help reduce the amount of contaminants that accumulates in the lagoon. 

Trip to Santa Monica Bay Estuary. During the month of June, our executive director Javier Laureano, traveled to California to become part of the evaluation committee of the Santa Monica Bay Estuary Program. Santa Monica Bay is part of the National Estuary Program (NEP), just like the San Juan Bay Estuary, and as part of  the NEP is subject to regular evaluations. The Santa Monica Bay Estuary Program staff shared their experiences on interesting programs like the creation of wetlands and sewer identification art works. See the pictures above!

Our highlights for April 2014.

                                                    

 Diesel spill in the Condado Lagoon was detected in the afternoon of April 15, 2014. The source of the diesel was quickly identified and eventually contained. 

 The areas around the Condado Lagoon were cleaned every Friday during the month of April.

 Glass bottles are perhaps the most common type of debris cleaned from the water.

 Our special thanks to this group of volunteer for all their work!

Gladys Rivera explains the methods to monitor water quality to the volunteer leaders.

Gladys Rivera, the coordinator of the island-wide event.

A look at the colorimetric legend of water quality measurement kits provided to all volunteer groups.  

 SJBE resident, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) hunts for a meal.

Our Executive Director, Dr. Javier Laureano, during the monitoring effort in the San Juan Bay

SJBEP Volunteer Laura Roldán gathers water for the pH measurement.

Diesel spill in the Condado lagoon. On the afternoon of April 15, a diesel spill was noticed in the Condado Lagoon. A local resident raised the alarm about the spill to the SJBEP. Water quality monitoring coordinator Ernesto Olivares, and marine debris specialist Cristina Ramírez, did a great job at identifying the point source of the spill to avoid further contamination and proceed to the mitigation of the spilled material, which began immediately.

Meeting of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Research Reserve co-management commission. On May 1st, 2014 the co-management commission of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Research Reserve met for the third time. During this very productive meeting we discussed the progress of the Reserve's Management Plan, the follow-up of the diesel spill and other recent spills with the Environmental Quality Board, the beginning of the new water quality monitoring efforts and the use of long row boats in the lagoon. 

Executive Director, Dr. Javier Laureano, spoke about billboards to the San Juan municipal legislature. The high concentration of billboards and other publicity in public roads of San Juan is matter of concern to all of us. On April 21, our Executive Director (also a resident of San Juan) spoke to the San Juan municipal legislature about the issue of excessive publicity and the concerns it raises for public health. Specifically, the issue discussed was the establishment of several lighted billboards along the Ashford Avenue in Condado, an important avenue that abuts the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Reserve.  

Coastal clean-up at the Condado Lagoon. During the month of April 2014, the shorelines of the Condado Lagoon were cleaned every Friday by a group of selected volunteers. The clean-up activities were coordinated by Cristina Ramírez, who is in charge of the project "The Condado Lagoon is my home" funded by NOAA. As you can appreciate in the pictures, every Friday there was enough trash to fill several bags. This is why it is important to establish a solid waste management plan that takes into consideration the large amounts of trash that becomes marine debris.

Puerto Rico Water Quality Monitoring Day. Gladys Rivera, our Citizen Science and Public Participation Coordinator, worked hard to train volunteer leaders that in turn managed volunteer groups during the Puerto Rico Water Quality Monitoring Day, which occurred Saturday April 26, 2014. This is an island wide effort to gather data about the quality of our water bodies, including rivers, lagoons and beaches. 

During the PR Water Quality Monitoring Day, over 1,000 volunteers monitored the quality of Puerto Rico's waters at 150 different sites around the island. This is part of a world-wide effort to gather data on water quality using citizen scientist efforts. This is the 6th year the SJBEP coordinates this event, and there are still many groups gathering data around the island. The data collected by our volunteers will be uploaded and become part of global data set: check out this link! www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/

Our highlights for the month of March 2014 are as follow:

 Volunteers planting a Cobana negra tree during our Estuary 360 project.  This is a citizen science and watershed-based ongoing initiative.  The Cobana negra is a tree in danger of extinction.       

Members of the community and students from the Martín Peña Channel area installing a work of art as part of the Proyecto Enlace, G-8, and Murals and Gardens of the Estuary initiative.  

Hudson River Foundation Director, Clay Hiles, with SJBEP Executive Director, Javier Laureano visiting one of the murals of the San Juan Bay Estuary Program.   

The marine debris collected from the bottom of the Condado Lagoon will be reused in our educational workshops and will be part of a marine debris educational exhibit.

Board members of The Nature Conservancy visited the San José Lagoon with the Chair of Bank and Finance of the Management Conference, Ramón Lloveras San Miguel (5th to the left) and the Executive Director of the SJBEP, Javier Laureano (1st to the left).  

A sea of plastic about to be recycled at IFCO plant, Caguas PR.  This is one of the sites to be visited during our Trash Free Waters Conference 2014 on June 4-5.  

Close up view of the Carolina Municipal Landfill, one of the best managed in Puerto Rico.

Compost processing area at Vivo, Caguas PR.  1/4 of the Island's municipal solid waste in comprised of organic waste.  

Yo Reciclo Styrofoam recycling facilities at Caguas PR.

SJBEP and the Solid Waste Management Authority of Puerto Rico visited the Niños Salvando al Mundo Ecological School in Caguas, a zero waste school.

Members of the Co-Management Committee of the Condado Lagoon Estuarine Reserve met to discuss the progress of the Lagoon's Management Plan. 

           

ESTUARY 360:  Citizen science to enhance and restore our ecosystem On March 1^st, 2014 we celebrated the second edition of Estuary 360, a watershed-scale effort of citizen science, ecosystem restoration and water quality monitoring. 

135 volunteers worked in 13 locations, planted 137 trees, collected 1,700 lbs. of trash and monitored 6 bodies of water.  Our Outreach Coordinator, Gladys Rivera, is the key person of our staff working on the initiative, showcased in the following media links:  

http://www.elnuevodia.com/videos-noticias-calidaddevida-estuario360restauralacostadesanjuan-156060.html

http://www.elnuevodia.com/voluntariossalenalrescatedelanaturaleza-1722676.html

 

Rehabilitation of the Martín Peña’s bridge through Gardens and Murals of the Estuary- For the last month the San Juan Bay Estuary Program has been working every day with schools of the Martín Peña communities in collaboration with the Proyecto Enlace, the San Juan Municipality, and the Group of the Eight Communities (G-8) to restore the bridge.  The children of the community used the scientific illustrations of our Scientific Illustrator, Adriana Ocaña, to paint large-scale murals that were installed on the bridge.  The coordinator of this important project was our Gardens and Murals of the Estuary Coordinator, Claudia Senior.  We thank our great friends of Enlace for this new opportunity to join forces.  The inauguration activity received ample media coverage, such as the following links:

http://www.elnuevodia.com/pintandecoloreselpuentemartinpena-1741831.html

http://www.metro.pr/plus/rescatan-puente-martin-pena-mediante-arte-comunitario/pGXncD!zMWbnZttZxdfk/

   

The Governor of Puerto Rico joined the environmental agencies of the Island and the SJBEP to promote locally the Earth Hour-According to the World Wildlife Fund: “On March 29, 2014, hundreds of millions of people around the world in over 7,000 cities in 162 countries turned off their lights for Earth Hour, our annual display of commitment to protect the planet. In the United States…over 50,000 people joined the movement along with major landmarks, cities and businesses, including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York, the Willis Tower in Chicago, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and the Space Needle in Seattle…” 

Locally, the Governor’s Mansion turned off their lights as well as the Environmental Agencies Building:

http://www.elnuevodia.com/gobernadorinvitaaapagarlaslucesestanoche-1741777.html

http://www.efe.com/efe/noticias/usa/puerto-rico/puerto-rico-une-manana-apagon-mundial-por-hora-del-planeta/5/50034/2277641

The Hudson River Foundation Director visited our entity- On Monday, March 17, we received the visit of Clay Hiles, Executive Director of the Hudson Bay River Foundation. We took Mr. Hiles on a tour of our Estuary that included visits to the Capetillo Urban Forest and Community Garden, as well as the Martín Peña Channel and the Cantera Project. The day concluded with a boat tour of the San José, Torrecillas, and Corozos Lagoons.  During the weekend, Hiles shared with our Executive Director, Javier Laureano, to craft a partnership between both organizations.

Antilles Rapid Assessment Method- SJBEP staff scientists Dr. Jorge Bauzá and Dr. Ricardo Colón were invited to provide their input on the development of the Antilles Rapid Assessment Method, an effort led by the DNER to assess the status of Puerto Rico’s wetlands. During the workshop “Assessing the current condition of PR wetlands” our scientists also developed important collaborations to initiate wetland assessment projects within the San Juan Bay Estuary.

Working with turtle community groups- Keeping up with the implementation of our annual work plan, on March 20, we met with all the sea turtle monitoring groups of the San Juan area to develop strategies that will unify the efforts of the monitoring groups and to offer the support of the SJBEP to their current projects.  We thank Dr. Carlos Diez for inviting us to join these efforts of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. 

Unauthorized Sewage Discharges Task Force- On April 3, 2014 our Scientific Director, Dr. Jorge Bauzá, coordinated the first meeting of the Unauthorized Sewage Discharge Task Force. The idea behind the creation of the Task Force is to address one of the most important and persistent problems affecting the water quality of our Estuary: the identification of non-point sources of contamination via sewage.  On the other hand, the Scientific and Technical Committee met on April 1, 2014.

Cleanups in the Condado Lagoon offers materials for marine debris exhibit and art workshops- During the month of March 2014 we have been able to clean the bottom and fringes of the Condado Lagoon, taking out of the body of water thousands of pounds of debris.  We are using several materials (mostly glass bottles) to setup a marine debris exhibit, and reuse the bottles as part of our arts and crafts workshops.   

Board members from The Nature Conservancy visit the San Juan Bay Estuary On March 2, 2014 we received a visit from board members of The Nature Conservancy, conservation-focused NGO with world-wide presence. Our executive director, Dr. Javier Laureano, toured all the water bodies of our estuary with the visitors and began the discussions to share information about several projects, including our

Waste management in Puerto Rico: a preliminary tour in preparation for our June 2014 workshop “TRASH FREE WATERS: EFFECTIVE POLICIES, AN AGENDA FOR ACTION” On March 5, 2014 the SJBEP staff, along with Marilyn Vicens from the Puerto Rico Solid Waste Authority visited several sites that have shown exemplary solid waste management strategies. This visit was part of the preparations for our upcoming workshop “Trash free waters: An agenda for action”. Our first stop was the Ecological School Niños Salvando al Mundo, where we learned about their zero-waste initiatives.

We then headed to the Yo Reciclo Styrofoam recycling center in located in Caguas, Puerto Rico. After that we visited a sea of plastic at the IFCO recycling plant in Caguas, evidence that this material widely found in our oceans is not garbage but raw material to produce jobs and other products. The Vivo composting plant was another of our stops in Caguas. This location receives organic waste from several municipalities, which is then composted and sold at accessible prices to the general public. Our last stop was the landfill of the municipality of Carolina. This landfill is one of the best managed in Puerto Rico.

Second meeting of the Commission for the Co-management of the Condado Lagoon- Citizens, businesspersons, government representatives, scientists and persons from the community met at the second meeting of the Commission, a mechanism of participatory democracy sponsored by the SJBEP, the DNER and the Municipality of San Juan.  We discussed several issues of concern to the members of the Commission, including marine debris, direct contact with the water, our new citizen guide, the use of the Lagoon for Olympic rowing, and the contract of Estudios Técnicos to draft the management and conservation plan of the Lagoon.          

TOP NEWS FROM THE SAN JUAN BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2014

On February 15, 2014 a group of citizens and volunteers of the San Juan Bay Estuary Program decided to take action and help improve the environment of our city.  The San Juan Municipality and the Environmental Protection Agency are the main sponsors of the project.  We also thank the Solid Waste Management Authority for their support. 

Using PVC tubes, the volunteers and members of the staff of the San Juan Bay Estuary Program created a vertical garden in a building that has been abandoned for 20 years.  This is one of several strategies that we are using to improve the green infrastructure of the city.  

We are planting several species that can resist tropical weather and do not need constant maintenance.  These plants will attract birds, pollinators, butterflies, and other species.

Ecologist Dr. Ricardo Colón, a staff member of our organization, is one of the leaders of the project.  When we improve the green infrastructure of our city, we are also helping to improve water quality by creating new filters that process the rain before it reaches the bodies of water of our Estuary.    

Geographer Roberto Morales helped in the process and contributed in several interventions with exercises of participatory cartography.  In this community-based exercises community members offer their opinion about issues such as the the potential uses of abandoned lots and buildings.    

Our Outreach Coordinator, Gladys Rivera, helped to remove ads placed illegally all over the city.  Noelia Rosa from the San Juan Municipality is in the process of identifying the municipal regulations that will help stop this inadequate advertising practice.      

Senator José Nadal Power and most of the staff of his office attended the activity and were leaders in the event.  In the photo the group is in the process of planting several species in the sidewalks of the Ponce de Leon Avenue.  Thank you Maruki and Ana Sofía for your leadership!!

Planting new trees in the sidewalks of the city very near the Condado Lagoon and the San Antonio Canal.  Every tree planted improves the biodiversity of our Estuary and filters the stormwater that reach the lagoons, the Bay and channels of the ecosystem. 

One of our volunteers helping in the installation of the PVC tubes.  

Another activity that we want to highlight took place on Saturday, February 22, 2014.  In this occasion we were able to take out from the bottom of the Condado Lagoon over 1,000 glass bottles.  The Program wants to thank our volunteers and scuba divers for this great cleanup effort. 

Some unexpected materials came out of the Lagoon.  We are planning a marine debris exhibit using all these materials recovered from the bottom of our bodies of water, more information on the way.

Our heroes, our volunteers, thank you for all your time and effort to improve your city, your ecosystem, the San Juan bay Estuary. We also want to recognize our Marine Debris Coordinator, Cristina Ramírez, who just completed her Master's degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Solid Waste Management.  

1) Gardens of the Estuary: Greening our Estuary’s watershed block-by-block, and building-by-building.

Yes, this is one of those projects where we are able to see an immediate difference in our urban environment.  This is the kind of initiatives for which you wake up every day full of enthusiasm to work for an environmental not-for-profit organization. 

With Gardens of the Estuary over 100 volunteers and members of the community are transforming the façades of abandoned buildings into vertical gardens.  The goal behind this project is twofold: restore degraded spaces in the city while increasing the amount of green infrastructure that can provide a myriad of ecosystem services such from aesthetic value to air quality improvement.

On February 15, 2014 we worked on the abandoned façade of the Puerto Rico Telephone Building (Ponce de León 1052) and before that, on January 26, 2014 on an abandoned lot at the beginning of the Ponce de León Avenue in Río Piedras, near La Tertulia library.   

Some of the partners of the project include the San Juan Municipality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, the Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

A few links to the news coverage of this activity:  

https://www.miprv.com/siembras-verticales-y-restauracion-ambiental-en-santurce/

http://www.noticel.com/noticia/155862/estuario-rescata-edificio-en-santurce-con-jardin-y-murales-galeria.html

http://www.metro.pr/plus/restauracion-ambiental-en-antiguo-edificio-de-la-prtc/pGXnbp!ZPpqW3gn2HAi/

http://www.indicepr.com/noticias/2014/02/18/news/15757/jardines-verticales-revitalizan--santurce/

Watch the video of the activity here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtigGGLPqP0

2) Second underwater cleanup of the Condado Lagoon

When: Saturday, February 22, 2014

Where:  The northern axis of the bottom of the Condado Lagoon, underneath the Dos Hermanos bridge.  

Who:  47 volunteers, including 15 scuba divers, students and members of the community

What:  1,189 glass bottles; 69 cans; 462 pieces of debris; 2 fishing debris; 1 chair; other materials.

Partners:  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Environmental Protection Agency; Solid Waste Management Authority; the Municipality of San Juan; Scuba Dogs; the Kayak federation of PR; Kayaqueros del Este; and Saint John’s School.   

3) 173,600 lbs. of materials recycled during the San Sebastián Festival 2014 in Old San Juan:  34% of the  solid waste produced in the event was recovered.

For second consecutive year the San Juan Bay Estuary Program was part of an alliance  organized by the Municipality of San Juan to make recycling happen in the biggest annual event of the Island:  the San Sebastián Festival.  

From January 16 to January 19, 2014 a total of 200 volunteers were leaders of this movement and managed 27 recycling stations located in strategic spots in the Old City.  This is a truly massive event.  Year 2014 marked the 44th edition of the festival.  Over 240,000 attended the Fiestas de la Calle.     

Follow the following media links for more information:

http://www.metro.pr/locales/supera-las-expectativas-la-alianza-sanse-recicla-2014/pGXnaw!tD9yk3YMiE6mU/     

http://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/impulsanelreciclajeparalasfiestasdelasansebastian-982302/

4) Public participation and partnership meetings

Implementation Committee (ImCo):  On January 21^st members of the Implementation Committee of the San Juan Bay Estuary Program had their first meeting of 2014. The Implementation Committee is comprised of representatives of multiple local and federal agencies, municipalities and other entities that work on the implementation of our Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The meeting was very productive and generated several ideas for new projects to be included in our next Work Plan.

Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC): The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) met in February 19, 2014 at the SJBEP offices. During this meeting the committee expressed their ideas for new projects as well as their concerns for current environmental situations in several areas of the watershed. These meetings are vital to the implementation of the CCMP as they provide insights from unique stakeholders of the San Juan Bay Estuary.

Condado Lagoon Estuarine Reserve Co-Management Commission: The co-management commission of the newly designated Condado Lagoon Estuarine Natural Reserve had its first meeting on January 21^st 2014. The co-management commission includes representatives from local and federal agencies (such as NOAA, USFWS, and the DNER) as well as local residents and stakeholders (such as business owners and other users of the lagoon). The co-management commission has the duty of preparing the Reserve’s management plan and making sure that the conservation of the Condado Lagoon goes hand in hand with the interests of its multiple users. 

Scientific and Technical Committee (STAC):  The President of the STAC, Mr. Ernesto Díaz, announced that this meeting will take place during March 2014.         

5) Ciudadela joins the Estuary’s Cinema

We are proud to announce that the apartment complex Ciudadela is sponsoring the Estuary’s Cinema project and will screen a new movie every month in their spectacular facilities in the heart of Santurce.             

6)  LAMAR and Mi Puerto Rico Verde joins our Program to help spread the word of the estuarine conservation

This month the SJBEP received the equivalent of $120,000 in donated billboard space courtesy of LAMAR Advertising Company (http://www.lamar.com/puertorico). With their contribution the conservation and education campaigns of the SJBEP will reach many more viewers. Thank you!

Mi Puerto Rico Verde (https://www.miprv.com) is currently proving the SJBEP with a public service campaign valued at $1,200 each month. Mi Puerto Rico Verde has a huge online presence with a constantly update blog of environmental news in Puerto Rico and over 118,000 subscribers in Facebook. A big thank you to the Mi Puerto Rico Verde team! 

7) This tax season brings a new opportunity to  contribute to the San Juan Bay Estuary

Remember that you can support the SJBEP by simply donating a dollar or two from your tax return. It is as simple as writing the amount you want to donate on the 1B space of your State Tax form. Every penny counts!

Thanks to the media outlets that support our campaigns:

http://www.elnuevodia.com/exhortanacontribuyentesaaportarparaayudarelecosistema-1706129.html

http://www.noticel.com/noticia/155397/piden-donar-parte-del-reintegro-al-estuario-de-la-bahia-de-san-juan.html