Citizens doing real science
Fostering community connections
We bring together residents from diverse backgrounds, genders, ages, and community roles, aiming to create opportunities for meaningful engagement. Our goal is to unite like-minded individuals who are dedicated to contributing their time and energy to safeguarding the island's natural resources. And yeah, they have fun too.
Program Tasks
Participants receive specialized training to allow them to take part in multiple projects and long-term monitoring in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve.
01
Coral reef restoration
Monitoring the growth and health of restored coral colonies.
02
Coral Diseases
First responders to alert about coral bleaching and disease presence.
03
Shorebird Populations
Monitoring abundance and diversity of birds around the reserve.
04
Turtle Monitoring
Dedicated monitoring of specific beaches to watch for turtle nests and hatchlings.
05
Fish & Benthic Composition
Monitoring fish community composition andbenthic composition within the reserve.
Volunteer with Us
How to Participate
To participate in the program, you must be at least 18 years old, proficient in swimming and snorkeling, reside on the island year-round, and be a resident of Rincón or neighboring towns such as Aguada and Añasco. We conduct training workshops once biannually to initiate new members into the program. Follow our social media or our email newsletter to receive a notice for the next cohort.
Empowering residents to protect what matters
Current Project
With support from the Oceanic Society, a team of our citizen scientists, led by Julia Lebonitte, will conduct reef surveys during Summer 2026 to evaluate the release and early post-outplanting performance of urchins and crabs. Monitoring will take place from the first hours after release through one month post-deployment, with data collected on abundance, movement patterns, aggregation behavior, and changes in benthic cover using photo quadrats and roving snorkeler surveys.
This mini project complements the greater ISER Caribe-led island-wide Caribbean Reef Project. King crab image by ISER Caribe.
200
Crabs & Urchins to be released
~10
Citizen Scientists Engaged
3-6
Months devoted by the volunteers
