(September 21, 2024 - Culebra, Puerto Rico) The non-profit organization
Conservation Opportunity (CO) successfully carried out the inclusive event “Revivamos Punta
Soldado” at Punta Soldado beach in Culebra. This initiative was part of the campaign
“Enjoy with Conscience”, whose objective is to educate visitors about the importance of
to keep our coasts clean and preserve the natural beauty of this representative environment. As part of the activity, an awareness sign was installed to promote the protection of the island's natural resources.
The event was also part of the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by Scuba Dogs Society, The volunteers carried out an exhaustive cleanup of the beach and underwater area by means of a global effort that seeks to promote the conservation of natural resources. During the activity, volunteers conducted a thorough cleanup of the beach and the underwater area by means of snorkeling, collecting a significant 450 pounds of waste.
In an effort to make the event more inclusive, sign language interpreters were provided, allowing for the full participation of the hearing impaired community. This was made possible thanks to the support of Pinturas Rigausol and funds from Latino Conservation Week organized by the Hispanic Access Foundation.
Punta Soldado, located on the southern tip of Culebra, is known for its crystal clear waters and ecological value, as it is home to diverse marine species and is an area of vital importance to local biodiversity. Keeping this beach clean not only helps protect wildlife and water quality, but also preserves one of the most beautiful natural sites on the island, attracting both residents and tourists.
Fabiola Torres Toledo, founder and president of CO, expressed her satisfaction with the results of the event: “We are very proud to have been able to contribute to the restoration of Soldier Point and continue to spread our conservation message. Trash on our beaches poses a danger to the natural environment and marine life, so it is essential that we continue to educate and promote environmental awareness.”
Amilkar Cruz Pastrana, CO Director, highlighted the importance of the event as a key step in the mission to protect Puerto Rico's natural resources and promote environmental awareness. He also called on new volunteers to join the organization's efforts and continue to expand its conservation message, ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the island's coasts.
Community involvement and support
The event was attended by about 35 volunteers along with members of the American Medical Student Association Chapter of the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, who, together with the organization, reaffirmed the commitment to care for and protect the natural resources of Culebra. In addition, participants enjoyed games, gifts and a morning dedicated to environmental conservation. Among the collaborators and sponsors of the event were the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Municipality of Culebra, the Hispanic Access Foundation, and Scuba Dogs Society.
“The ‘Revive Punta Soldado’ event is a great example of community collaboration to protect our beaches. We thank Conservation Opportunity for organizing this important cleanup and the installation of the awareness sign, actions that not only preserve the natural beauty of Snake, The project also educates our community about the importance of taking care of our resources,” said Richard Gautier Solís, representative of the Municipality of Culebra.
With this initiative, CO underscores the importance of joining efforts for the conservation of our beaches, ensuring that areas such as Punta Soldado continue to be a safe haven for marine fauna and a natural treasure for future generations.
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For more information on future events, interested parties may contact the following number (787) 640-6864 or write to info@conservationopportunity.org.
Thank you to everyone who was part of this effort for a Snake cleaner and more sustainable!
