More than 50 volunteers worked during a whole morning cleaning the beaches and mangroves of Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve, in Fajardo, where they collected 387 pounds of trash that had been accumulating since the impact of hurricanes Irma and María.

The roads and vegetation of the Reserve were severely affected by the impact of hurricanes Irma and María. Although the staff of Para la Naturaleza worked hard to clean the roads and recondition the surroundings of the Lighthouse and the Visitor Center, many wastes had accumulated inside the roads and on the beaches.

More than 50 volunteers, among whom were students from the Vocational School of Fajardo Ana D. Flores, the Junior ROTC and the Pablo Casals Specialized School in Bayamón, worked with their families and teachers to clean the surroundings of the boardwalk that runs over the mangrove located in Laguna Grande, as well as Canalejo, Jayuya and Rincón beaches.

The cleaning of the beaches and the mangrove area are part of the efforts that Para la Naturaleza coordinates with its group of volunteers, to give continuity to the recovery efforts of our habitats after the passage of atmospheric event through our islands.

“We are here since 7:30 a.m. We have had a great time. We have collected many things, such as wood, plastics, straws, shoes and flip flops. This is the second time that I participate in a beach cleanup. The first time I went to the island of Culebra, “said student Nayeli León one of the participants.

Para la Naturaleza continues to bring voluntary help to communities surrounding their areas and nature reserves as part of the Para la Naturaleza Community Fund. There is more information of these efforts on the organization’s website www.paralanaturaleza.org or on their social networks.