Isla Verde, Carolina PR
There is no question as to why Puerto Rico is nicknamed the ‘La Isla del Encanto’ (The Island of Enchantment). Though the island may be the smallest of the Caribbean’s Greater Antilles, there is an abundance of unforgettable sights and natural wonders; Puerto Rico is home to 200 square miles of coral reef ecosystems, four of the world’s seven bioluminescent bays and 300+ plants and animals native to the island—some of which are completely unfound beyond Puerto Ricos’s perimeters.
This Earth Day we invite you to celebrate the beauty of Puerto Rico and to care for the island as if it were your own.
Sadly, the island is rife with pollution and the coral reefs we love so deeply are at risk of dying out completely. But, the effects of climate change not only harm the island’s underwater habitats but also the people. Puerto Rico’s location within the Caribbean makes the island particularly susceptible to hurricanes but the intensity of these natural disasters is only increasing due to climate change–something harshly witnessed in the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
Earth Day 2023 Poster: Invest In Our Planet
While the climate crisis may seem incredibly daunting, hope is not lost! When we choose to live intentionally and to invest in our planet, we invest in each other and the shared future of all beings. Visit EarthDay.org to make the pledge to #InvestInOurplanet and continue reading on for Team Nomada’s top picks of environmental volunteer opportunities as well as destinations for your next PR trip;
Come visit the island today and be in community with the island’s ecology.
Aerial view of Playa Flamenco, Curtesy of Wiki Commons
1.Playa Flamenco
It is no surprise that Playa Flamenco has been rated as one of the world’s top beaches multiple years in a row. Located on Puerto Rico’s island of Culebra, Playa Flamenco is absolutely breathtaking with white sands and placid, aqua-clear waters. Take a day trip to Playa Flamenco or make it a weekend get-away to experience ultimate relaxation and tranquility beneath the beach’s palm trees.
2. International Volunteer HQ, Puerto Rico
“Love the outdoors and want to be an Environmental Sustainability volunteer in Puerto Rico? International Volunteer HQ’s Environmental Sustainability project empowers volunteers to assist with a wide range of tasks that contribute to the recovery and protection of San Juan’s beautiful natural environment…” Read more here.
Photo of El Yunque, Curtesy of Wiki Commons
3. El Yunque National Forest
Named after the Taino spirit, Yuquiyu, Puerto Rico’s rainforest El Yunque resides as the only rainforest in the United States and is a portal to nature’s wonders. Begin exploring El Yunque and behold the rainforest’s incredible biodiversity and natural attractions, inclusive to: 25 waterfalls, 225 tree species and 183 animal species, spanning across 28,000 acres of rainforest.
4. Amizade
“Amizade and its Puerto Rican community partner Caras have been collaborating since 2013 on service-learning programming. Volunteer with inspiring grassroots initiatives and learn about environmental sustainability as you explore the island of Puerto Rico with us…” Read more here.
5. Bahia Bioluminiscente de Vieques
Become enchanted by the bioluminescence of Vieques, the small island off the shore of Puerto Rico. Bioluminescent bays are one of the planet’s natural wonders that can only be found in five locations on earth and Puerto Rico is home to four! Book your tour today for an unforgettable experience.
6. The Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan Program
“The Volunteer Network offers several types of environmental volunteer opportunities, depending on your interests. The work is grouped into these areas: quality of water and soil; habitat; fish and wildlife; aquatic waste; citizen scientists; education; reforestation; green infrastructure; and resilience.
When you volunteer you also learn about the hydrographic basin of the estuary and its needs, and you gain experience working in the community…” Read more here.
7. Cueva Ventana
Experience the breathtaking view of Cueva Ventana—the lookout peak located close to the border of Arecibo and Utuado. Make the journey through the cave and you will then find yourself at the peak of the terrain which overlooks green meadows with swallows flying overhead— this is not a destination to be missed!
8. Para La Naturaleza
We Protect and Preserve Puerto Rico’s valuable ecological lands and treasured historical places.
Volunteers can sign up to go in group outings to plant trees, perform maintenance on ecological gardens, conduct bird census, etcetera. Each activity has a scheduled date and the volunteer can choose the date that they want to participate, and sign up…” Read more here.
9. Cavernas del Río Camuy
Enter the underground world of Cavernas del Rio Camuy: the third biggest cave network in the western hemisphere of the world. The Cavernas del Rio Camuy span across 286 acres of land and hold 220 magical subterranean caves— the largest cave, Cueva Clara, is over 700 feet wide. After traversing through the chambers, pack a picnic and take a rest at one of the outdoor tables under the shade of the forest’s trees.
10. International Volunteer HQ, Puerto Rico
“Love the outdoors and want to be an Environmental Sustainability volunteer in Puerto Rico? International Volunteer HQ’s Environmental Sustainability project empowers volunteers to assist with a wide range of tasks that contribute to the recovery and protection of San Juan’s beautiful natural environment…” Read more here.