News Archives

The Trailhead is located in Lake County, Florida. map

For more information, please contact info@scrubjaytrail.org
(352) 429-5566

open:
sat - wed : 8:00-5:00

Email photo contributions
of wildlife or plants seen
on the trail to this address: photos@scrubjaytrail.org

What better way to celebrate the hot steamy weather than by getting soaked while working on the irrigation system. We may even be joined by the resident scrub-jays who enjoy finding the broken lines that the rabbits have chewed, creating pools for them to splash in. What teamwork!
Repairing the irrigation is the only agenda item this month, but if it's an aerobic workout you're after, we'll happily direct you to some weeding.

As usual, the breakfast table will be open for any and all contributions, and coffee, quiche and Italian Ice will be served. Ice water will be available on the Trail, and don't forget to wear a hat, closed shoes and gloves.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending at    info@scrubjaytrail.org   or   352-429-5566.

July Trailday

We had a good turnout, so we were able to divide and conquer. Half the group worked on the Pine Ridge Elementary School garden. This time of year the garden is displaying beautiful examples of Florida native Partridge-pea, Asclepias tuberosa and Palafoxia. The other half of the group worked on the Chinaberry removal.
Lots accomplished on this day!     (check July's newsletter for pictures of all the activities)

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Chinaberry Shootout

The last of the Chinaberry trees have been cut down and piled up. With the help of Trailblazers (from left to right) Bill Stefancic, Dan Cleary, Louise Hunt, Bruce Brown, Michelle Dent, and Harry Bowman , the pesty invasives were sawn, cut up and dragged away. Over the next year, the focus will be to herbicide the seedlings as they pop up.
Thanks to all who have helped and continue to help as we eradicate this invasive pest that is spreading all over the state of Florida.

Bluebird Boxes added to Trail

National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward Jana Harris contributed 2 new bluebird boxes to the Trail, and installed them with the help of Rodney Arnold and 2 year old Joy. We were at full occupancy this year, so more boxes will assure even more blue birds next year.
While visiting the Trail, Joy hopped a ride on one of the miniature Sicilian Donkeys.

Wagon Makeover

Trailblazer Dan Cleary donated materials and labor to reconstruct the utility wagon used regularly on the Trail for hauling. Dan's handiwork is always appreciated.

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Flora on the Web

Congratulations to Sandra Groeneveld, Louise Hunt and Joyce Stefancic for the completion of the "Flora" section of the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail website, which resides under the "About" section.

You will see some of the most beautiful photographs of Florida native plants, as seen on the Trail. Website coordinator, Sandra Groeneveld spent countless hours cataloging, labeling and contributing to the photography. The Scrub-Jay Trail website has received rave reviews from all over the country and has helped to raise the awareness of the need to save Florida's only endemic bird, the federally threatened Florida scrub-jay.

Over the past years, Louise Hunt and Joyce Stefancic have documented the changing seasons of the plants and the wildlife on the Trail, for use not only on the website, but for the kiosk as well. Louise has also produced the interpretive signage along the Trail.
If you have any unique photos taken on the Trail, we encourage you to share them by submitting them to   photos@scrubjaytrail.org   

Thanks to all of you who contribute your time and talents to the Trail.