Prime’s 2025 Team Retreat in Puerto Rico
For our 2025 retreat, we traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, an archipelago of over 140 islands with a vibrant culture, rich history, and a front-row seat to the climate crisis, despite contributing close to 0% of global carbon emissions¹. We chose this location to deepen our understanding of the environmental challenges facing local communities and the grassroots efforts working to address them.
This retreat built on the spirit of our 2024 gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana, where we explored the intersections of environmental and political dynamics in a region deeply impacted by climate change. Across both retreats, our goal has been to strengthen our team’s working relationships while learning directly from communities on the frontlines of climate impact and climate action.
Team Time
We were fortunate to continue our long-time consultant partnership with OMNYMYST, led by Ava Bynum and V Lawson. We held two pre-event Zoom meetings to lay the groundwork for a thoughtful and productive experience. During these sessions, we explored individual work styles, team dynamics, and organizational values. OMNYMYST also collaborated with a small working group of team members from various departments to gather feedback on retreat goals.
Over two days in Puerto Rico, OMNYMYST guided us through thoughtful conversations about how we embody our values—Care, Humility, and Tenacity—and created space for meaningful discussion about cross-team communication and strengthening our organizational culture.
Exploring Puerto Rico
We were excited to engage with the diverse environment and culture of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our team members had the option of participating in one of three locally led opportunities: a guided exploration of El Yunque National Forest, a cultural walking tour of Old San Juan, and a snorkeling excursion to discover San Juan's underwater ecosystem.
El Yunque National Forest Hike
El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System—spans nearly 29,000 acres and provides almost 20% of Puerto Rico’s freshwater². Our team hiked along lush forest paths, swam in a rushing river, and even jumped off cliffs. Along the way, our tour guides shared insights about the forest’s biodiversity, which includes over 240 tree species and more than 200 vertebrate species.
El Yunque is not only culturally and ecologically significant to Puerto Rico but also serves as a valuable site for scientific research due to its remarkable biodiversity. However, the forest faces escalating climate challenges with rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, changing cloud cover, and a projected rise in extreme weather events³. The impacts of climate change are already evident, as Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused significant damage to the forest in 2017. Forest restoration efforts are underway in response, led by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, and community partners.
Old San Juan Walking Tour
The walking tour explored the cobbled streets of the culturally and historically rich city of Old San Juan. With over 500 years of stories to share, our team visited significant landmarks, including San Cristóbal Castle, the Cathedral of San Juan, and City Hall. The tour participants learned much about the colonial history of the Puerto Rico and about the indigenous Taino culture from which over 60% of Puerto Ricans can trace their ancestry.
Scuba Diving Excursion
The scuba diving group had the opportunity to explore the underwater ecosystems off the coast of San Juan. The islands of Puerto Rico are surrounded by 3,370 square kilometers of fringing coral reefs⁴, which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna (including the beloved sea turtle!). Coral reefs also act as natural barriers that protect the island from powerful waves during hurricanes and tropical storms⁵. As coral reefs face increasing threats from rising ocean temperatures and acidification, this experience reaffirmed the urgent need to protect costal environments.
Service Trip
Continuing our tradition from New Orleans, we were privileged to once again participate in a service trip during our retreat. This year, we partnered with LimPiaR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing waste reduction practices and raising ecological awareness through education.
One of their key initiatives is organizing coastal cleanups in Piñones, Loíza. Led by Auraluz Guzmán Torres, the Director of Programs, we gained valuable insights into the environmental challenges facing coastal communities. These areas are particularly vulnerable to pollution, where marine debris—from microplastics to abandoned fishing gear—threatens local wildlife, ecosystems, and community health. We participated in a hands-on cleanup, collecting 264lbs pounds of waste from the shoreline.
In addition to organizing coastal cleanups, LimPiar works closely with local communities to provide education on coastal ecology, promote sustainable waste management, and introduce recycling programs. LimPiar is one of many incredible grassroots organizations striving to protect Puerto Rico’s coastal areas from the growing threats of climate change. Others include Protectores de Cuencas, which is dedicated to restoring and protecting watersheds, and Sociedad Ambiente Marino (SAM), which focuses on coral restoration.
We were honored to contribute, even in a small way, to LimPiaR’s mission, and encourage others to explore ways to support this vital work.
Reflection and Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible tour guides; the restaurants SOCIAL and Tavola/Vendetta Speakeasy Bar for providing delicious meals; LimPiaR for offering a hands-on learning experience; OMNYMYST for their thoughtful and skillful facilitation; and, most of all, the people of Puerto Rico for allowing us to experience the beauty and vibrancy of your home.
We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to come together, strengthen our team relationships, and spend time in one of the world’s extraordinary places that calls for urgent action against the climate crisis so it can continue to thrive for future generations.
Prime Team, May 2025
