Numerous organizations and volunteers joined together to take care of the environment in the Toro Negro de Ciales Community..
The non-profit organizations Conservation Opportunity (CO), Para la Naturaleza, Habitantes de la Montaña, Para Servirle, Comunidad Toro Negro, Environment for the Americas, and volunteers collaborated this past October 14, 2023 to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Dos Bocas Pond in Ciales, Puerto Rico.
This year's theme was “Water: vital for birds”. The event included a talk about birds, bird watching dynamics on the river and the loan of binoculars for participants to observe birds more closely. In addition, the eighth sign of the campaign was implemented. Enjoy With Conscience along with a river cleanup by the participants. Together, more than 50 people showed up and a total of 149.5 pounds of trash was collected.
“Historically, we have had a problem with solid waste in our natural areas due to the number of people and external visitors that come to the area, specifically during the summer season,” said José Figueroa Pesquera, president of the Board of Directors of Comunidad Toro Negro Inc.
Figueroa Pesquera amplified in his comments, indicating that his community has had difficulties keeping the area clean, for this reason, he called on the community to take the initiative to protect the river. They have been working in an organized manner for 20 years, mainly dedicated to the conservation of the Toro Negro river.
“We want to continue working with the community because this means economic development and public health for the community,” he added.
The president appreciated the actions and activities managed by CO for the conservation and education of the island.
On the other hand, the leader of the non-profit organization, Habitantes de la Montaña, Héctor Burgos presented how the activity of CO, Para la Naturaleza, Environment for the Americas and others promotes ecotourism in Puerto Rico.
“We are certified and endorsed as an ecotourism company by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and my job as coordinator and leader is to work on coordinating tours with the public who want to visit us,” he said.
The non-profit organization Habitantes de la Montaña focuses on tours in Toro Negro and shows the public the different projects being carried out in the community. The Dos Bocas puddle is the third of four stations run by the organization, where people can learn about and observe a wide variety of bird species, invertebrates, and other fauna and flora along the riverbank. They also implement original signs that draw attention to environmental conservation.
“We have all kinds of signs, natural areas, no littering, no parking. And law number 67, which prohibits parking in bodies of water. We have flash flood warnings and, indeed, that give way to what is a very big story of what the organization is,” he mentioned.
Finally, Héctor Burgos points out that the Conservation Opportunity sign, with its QR Code, The event will raise awareness of the activity that took place at the site, which was joined by people from all over Puerto Rico with the same goal; conservation and that together we can make a difference. “Take care of the rivers, take care of the environment, Puerto Rico is one, we are a small island, but it is our duty as humans, as Puerto Rican citizens to take care and value what we have,” he concluded.
If you would like to see where other signs of this initiative are located, visit our sections of news y press releases.
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Interested in participating in one of these events? Send an email to info@conservationopportunity.org or contact CO's media platforms directly at Instagram, Facebook y LinkedIn. You can also join our mailing list by filling out this form. form, so that you can receive notifications about activities directly to your email.
