Marine species planted in Loíza to help protect coastline

Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes said “a long-term project to plant plants that contribute to soil conservation will continue.” (Israel Morales)

By The Star Staff

The Municipality of Loíza, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and the San Juan Bay Estuary on Saturday resumed an initiative to cultivate marine plant species in the Los Lucas community, an area that has in particular suffered from the problem of coastal erosion.

“In addition to the project to cover the coast with stone, a long-term project to plant plants that contribute to soil conservation will also continue,” Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes said. “Our commitment is to join forces to combat the effects of climate change.”

Joel Osorio Chiclana, speaker of the Municipal Assembly, participated in the event and pointed out that “the most important component of this initiative is this community of Los Lucas.”

“Each one of these neighbors, these families know what this coast was like just a few years ago, and how coastal erosion has impacted the beach,” he said. “This is a reality that we are facing with courage and with the environmental and scientific resources available.”

The San Juan Bay Estuary, a renowned non-profit institution, made a significant contribution of coastal vegetation. Jessie Juarbe, a green infrastructure specialist for the entity, noted that “what we are doing is continuing with the planting already carried out in February 2023, which are plants that have been progressing.”

“There are maguey bushes, beach grapes and maría, which will serve to protect the smaller plants,” she said.

The DNER contributed coastal plants for planting.

A dozen residents participated in the event, in which red mangroves were planted strategically since they need contact with water to obtain nutrients. In total, the community planted 130 plants in a 160-square foot segment of shore.