On April 15, the Conservation Opportunity (CO) team teamed up with the nonprofit organization, Puerto Rico South, to install a sign for #PuertoRicoLimpio at Bosque la Yeyesa, Calle 13 in the Vázquez parcels in Salinas. A trash and debris pickup was conducted in the forest, as well as an environmental scientist, Dr. Christopher E. Orozco González, who offered a workshop focused on the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality.
“The experience helped to create visibility of the impact of human actions that have deteriorated the reserve. Initiatives like this and the activities that have been carried out by the communities surrounding the river (Lapa) have helped to create visibility of the importance of volunteering and its impact on environmental conservation. In my experience as a scientist, I have been visiting and studying the Lapa River and the Planadas-Yeyesa Nature Reserve for more than 7 years,” stated Orozco González.
Active participants in the installation of the sign and the forest cleanup expressed favorably about the results.
“These practices of psychosocial action, ecological, historical and sociocultural justice are carried out with commitment, respect and responsibility,” included Puerto Rico al Sur attorney Janis Joan Diaz Martinez.
“Planadas-Yeyesa is an impressively beautiful place, with important ecological and cultural value for the entire Puerto Rican nation that deserves that we all join efforts for its conservation,” said the committee leader. Citizen in Defense of Cerro Planadas and Adjacent Areas Incorporated, Pablo Martinez.
The activity was also well supported by local volunteers from Salinas and from all over the island, with a total of 45 people participating. With these results, both partner organizations expressed their gratitude to the participants.
“These images capture all the energy of the virtue of detachment vibrating with our Planadas-Yeyesa Nature Reserve. What a hopeful, rewarding and powerful moment this has been,” said Puerto Rico al Sur on its website. Instagram.
“According to the employee of the Municipality of Salinas, about four tons of garbage were collected. We want to thank Mayor Hon. Karilyn Bonilla Ortiz, the municipality, Pablo Martinez, Janis Diaz of Puerto Rico al Sur, Dr. Christopher Orozco, members of the National Honor Society, Troop 723G from Bayamón, CIudadanos en Defensa and the community for joining us in the installation of our environmental conservation sign,” CO expressed on social media.
This marks the fourth sign implemented by CO as a result of the successful campaign of Giving Tuesday 2021 “Enjoy with Conscience”, in which nine interpretive signs were created to encourage awareness and conservation of green areas in Puerto Rico.
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If you are interested in participating in one of these events, CO plans to install its next sign at Guaypao and San Miguel beaches, located in the La Perla community in Old San Juan on May 6. For more information on this upcoming activity, please visit this register or send an email to info@conservationopportunity.org.
