Our nation’s coasts are home to almost 40% of the U.S. population and many of our urban communities. Continued population growth along the coasts, and urbanization pose challenges and opportunities for coastal and urban conservation. Learn how the University of Puerto Rico and the nonprofit organization, Protectores de Cuencas are restoring and conserving coastal ecosystems for resilient communities in Puerto Rico while helping the next generation gain valuable skills and certification in ecological restoration.

1. Coastal Restoration Efforts in
Puerto Rico
NACD Summer Meeting
Coastal and Urban Conservation breakout session
18 de julio de 2022
Yasiel A. Figueroa-Sánchez M.Sc.
Protectores de Cuencas Inc.

2. Who we are?
• Non-profit, non-governmental and community-
based organization.
• Dedicated to establishing conservation projects
using an integrated watershed management
approach.
• Offices in Yauco
• Founded in January 2012

3. RESOURCES AND CAPACITY
• HACH 2100Q Portable Turbidimeter
• HACH SL1000 Portable Nutrient
Multiparameter
• YSI Multiparameter
• HANA Ammonia Medium Range Portable
Photometer - HI96715
• IDEXX Quanti-Tray System for bacteria
Restoration Equipment
• More than 60,000 plants
produced yearly
• Restoration Projects across the
Island
Native Plants Nursery
• 12 4x4 Pick up trucks
• 6 4x4 6m Dump Trucks
• 1 4x4 Service Truck
• 2 20m Dump Trucks
• 2 Backhoes
• 2 Crawler Dozers
• 2 Compacting Rollers
• 2 Skid Steer
• 6 water trucks
• 6 trailers
• Hydromulcher
• 2 Mini excavators
• 1 Mid Excavator
• 2 Boats
Monitoring Equipment
• 8 Technical Personnel
• 30 General Labor experts in
BMP and Green Infrastructure
Staff:

4. Collaborators:
Yauco Guánica Guayanilla Lajas

5. Northern
mountains
Guanajib
o valley
Southern slopes
The watershed as a planification unit
• The
hydrographic
basin connects
our resources
without
considering
administrative
limits.
• Actions carried
out in one
locality affect
downstream
localities.

6. Integrated Watershed
Management
Define
geographic
area
Integrate
stakeholders
Assess
watershed
Identify and
prioritize
problems and
opportunities
Propose
proyects and
solutions
Implement
Measure
success
Adapt
The watershed
management plan
cycle

7. Integrated Watershed
Management Actions
Stormwater
Management
Practices
Nutrient
Reduction
Practices
Soil
Stabilization
Practices
Pollution
Prevention
Practices

8. Wetland hydrological
connectivity
PROJECTS BY PDC
• Permeable parking
• Wooden boardwalk
• Green infrastructure
• Green infrastructure
• Dirt road stabilization
• Coastal reforestation
La
Jungla
Papayo
Coastal
Lagoon
Tres Palmas Marine
Reserve, Steps Beach
Jobos Bay
El Yunque
Northeastern
Ecological
Corridor
• Restoration
• Trail rehabilitation
• Erosion and
sediment reduction
• Dirt road
stabilization
• Coral nurseries
and outplanting
• Wetland restoration
• Shoreline
stabilization
Hacienda
Candelaria
• Dirt road
stabilization
• Sediment
detention ponds
• Rainfall-runoff
research

9. Guánica Bay Watershed
• Located in southwestern Puerto Rico
• Spans eight municipalities
• Seven subwatersheds of which four
where artificially added as part of the
Southwest Project in 1950’s.
• 89 miles² originally to approximately 143
miles² (91,417 acres).
• Five reservoirs and irrigation channels
system
• One main river (Río Loco), two main
tributaries

10. Nutrient Reduction in Guanica Bay

12. Treatment Wetlands in Guánica

13. La Jungla Guánica
Dry Forest

23. Wetland Restoration in the
Jobos Bay Natural Reserve for
Estuarine Research

24. Jobos Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve

26. Solid waste removal and soil regrading

27. Restore intertidal
connectivity with
Jobos Bay

28. Delimitation of critical habitat areas and
delineate pedestrian access

29. Reforestation

31. Culebra Island

33. Playa Zoní (before)

35. Playa Zoní (after):

36. Fulladoza Bay in Culebra

39. Adaptation

40. Adaptation

41. Road Stabilization in Puerto
Del Manglar, Culebra

43. Web: protectoresdecuencas.org
rviqueira@protectoresdecuencasinc.org
yfigueroa@protectoresdecuencasinc.org