FirstBank celebrated the successful results of the first year of its Rescate Costero (coastal rescue) program – a coastal erosion mitigation initiative that impacts our island and aims to plant 25,000 trees over a period of three years. During this first year, and thanks to the collaboration of FirstBank employees, community volunteers and multisectoral partners, the program succeeded in planting 11,480 native trees to cover more than 22,353.68 linear feel along Puerto Rico’s northern coast.  

Throughout the year, planting activities were conducted in municipalities that included Loíza, Manatí, Isabela, Luquillo, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Camuy, Quebradillas and Toa Baja. Native species tolerant to the coastal climate were selected at each event, and included sea grapes and button mangroves, which are essential for stabilizing sand dunes and creating natural barriers against erosion. 

Other notable events included: 

“The first year of Rescate Costero has reaffirmed our commitment to the environment and the communities we serve,” said Ginoris López-Lay, Executive Vice President of Planning and Strategic Management at FirstBank. “This sustained effort has contributed to the preservation of our coastal areas in the municipalities affected the most. The impact achieved so far would not have been possible without the participation of our volunteers and partners in this effort, such as Vida Marina, and above all, the educational and community entities that joined our cause. This is just the beginning of a transformative project for Puerto Rico.”

The success of Rescate Costero is also the result of strategic alliances with organizations that represent the government sector, municipalities affected by coastal erosion, community-based organizations, schools, and private companies such as the Department of Education, Boy Scouts of America, Ecoexploratorio, Girl Scouts of the Caribbean, OPAS (Organización Pro-Ambiente Sustentable), Scuba Dogs Society, United Way of Puerto Rico; Academia María Reina, The Baldwin School, Universidad Politécnica, Assurant, Stellantis and Empresas Santana, among others. These collaborations have made it possible to integrate the volunteers needed for each planting event, who are not only taught how to plant correctly, but also to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our coastal areas for future generations. 

Next Steps for Rescate Costero

The program’s goal is to plant 25,000 trees over a period of three years. FirstBank will continue to lead initiatives for new municipalities, volunteers and partner organizations to meet the program’s goal to plant the remaining 13,520 native trees. Volunteers interested in joining the effort can register at www.unoconelambiente.com, where they’ll find information about upcoming events and educational resources related to coastal erosion.

For more information on FirstBank’s initiatives, visit www.1firstbank.com, or through social media on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.