FIELD TRIPS
All field trips will take place on Sunday May 18, 2025.
Field trips are an additional cost to meeting registration, and will be available to select and add during the annual meeting registration process. If you have already registered, you can add these to your registration as an add-on via you dashboard here.
Please click the + to see detailed information about each field trip. Minimum numbers are in effect for all field trips. Should a field trip not hit the minimum number of participants required, we will reach out directly prior to May 1st, 2025.
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Lead: Rebeca de Jesus Crespo
When: Sunday 18 May
Where: Las Curias, Cataño
Departure Time: 7:00 AM departure from Puerto Rico Convention Centre (PRCC)
Return Time: Return to PRCC at approximately 12:00pm
Duration: Tour is 4.5 hours, 30 minute drive each way
Difficulty Level: Medium difficulty level
Cost & Inclusions: $35/person. Includes transportation costs and activity costs. NO Catering included, so please bring your own snacks and bagged lunch and water bottles.
Description: The Latin America Chapter of the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS-LAC) will lead this field trip, which will be conducted primarily in Spanish. We will visit Las Curias reservoir in the headwaters of the San Juan Bay watershed. Originally designed to meet the consumption needs of San Juan residents, this reservoir is currently used for recreational opportunities. Nutrient pollution has led to excessive aquatic plant growth (Salvinia spp.) affecting its use for this purpose. We will kayak along this reservoir and learn about ongoing management initiatives using bio-control methods. During our trip, we will be accompanied by University of Puerto Rico researchers who have directly worked on controlling Salvinia populations in these environments. We will also be accompanied by community leaders of Las Curias, who have led initiatives to restore the reservoir to enhance its recreational and aesthetic value. Through the day, we will share with participants electronic QR codes linking to a single survey question: What suggestion do you have to the SFS LAC for engaging with members and expanding its scope? The responses will be anonymous, and participation will be voluntary. These responses will help guide the activities of SFS LAC in the next year. The field trip will provide an opportunity to learn about the impacts of nutrient pollution in tropical urban settings, and the opportunities for community driven, and scientifically informed management.
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When: Sunday 18 May
Where: Paseadora Espíritu Santo, Río Grande
Departure Time: 10:00 AM from Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC), return approximately 1:00 PM
Return Time: Return to PRCC at approximately 2:00pm
Duration: Tour is 2 hours, 40 minute drive each way
Difficulty Level: Easy difficulty level
Cost & Inclusions: $60/person. This includes transportation & boat rental/activity costs. NO Catering included, so please bring your own snacks and bagged lunch and water bottles.
Description: Enjoy a relaxing trip down the Río Espíritu Santo aboard a small pontoon and learn about local flora and fauna, myths and legends as well as views of the El Yunque National Forest from the Atlantic Ocean.
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When: Sunday 18 May
Where: Cabezas de San Juan Tour, Fajardo
Departure Time: 7:30 AM departure from Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC)
Return Time: Return to PRCC at approximately 1:30PM
Duration: Tour is 2 hours, 1 hour 15 minute drive each way
Difficulty Level: Easy difficulty level
Cost & Inclusions: $70/person. This includes transportation, tour guide and entrance fees. NO Catering included, so please bring your own snacks and bagged lunch and water bottles.
Description: A guided walk by a history and nature specialist of the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve. Discover different types of ecosystems within the small plot of land, a wide diversity of local fauna and flora, and breathtaking views of the northeast tip of Puerto Rico. Activity is all outdoors so dress accorsdingly and wear comfrotable shoes to walk on trails. Consider packing sun lotion, water, snacks and/or lunch.
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When: Tuesday 20 May
Where: UPR Botanical Garden, San Juan
Departure Time: 6:30 AM departure from Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC)
Return Time: Return to PRCC at approximately 9:00AM
Duration: Tour is1.5 hours, 20 minute drive each way
Difficulty Level: Easy difficulty level
Cost & Inclusions: $30/person. This includes transportation, tour guide and binoculars. NO Catering included, so please bring your own snacks and water bottles.
Description: Visit the Botanical Garden from the University of Puerto Rico for a guided birdwatching tour. Learn about the San Juan Bay Estuary Watershed and the bird life found within, in the center of San Juan. Binoculars will be provided. This trip is in collaboration with Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan (NGO focusing on the San Juan Bay Estuary).
NOTE: This trip will be TUESDAY March 20; participants might miss the start of the Tuesday plenary.
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