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In the Spring of 1997, a nesting
pair of Florida scrub-jays was discovered in an orange grove in
Clermont, Florida, and 5 fledglings emerged. This family remained
on the property for years, and as the young eventually dispersed
and the original pair died off, the next generation, consisting
of a new male and female, and their surviving young, remain on
the property today, and can be seen frequently on what is now the
Florida Scrub-Jay Trailhead.
The Trail officially launched in April
of 2003 with the awarding of a grant from the National
Wildlife Federation’s Keep the Wild Alive – Species
Recovery Fund. Ensuing support came from grants from U.S. Fish
and Wildlife’s “Partners for Fish and Wildlife” program,
the Zamo Family Trust, the McLean Contributionship, Lake County
Water Authority, and financial and in-kind support from citizens
who share the mission of
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail.
The federal status listing as “threatened’,
makes the scrub-jay extremely difficult to spot in the wild. The
Florida Scrub-Jay Trail provides an opportunity to experience
the jays in close proximity, making for great photo opportunities
and binocular viewing.
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail was
conceived to provide direct, immediate benefit to the Florida scrub-jay
and its surrounding habitat, and to raise awareness of and involvement
in the conservation of the species. In order to accomplish this,
land must be cleared of exotic and invasive plant materials and
re-planted with scrub oaks, shrubs and groundcovers, many of which
are federally listed as threatened or endangered. Citizens and
public agencies work in partnership to accomplish common goals.
This is the trailhead for a statewide,
interconnected network
of scrub-jay habitat, ranging
from the Lake Wales Ridge to the south to Ocala National Forest
to the north; from Sarasota to the west and Merritt Island and
Cape Canaveral to the east. These “pockets”
of scrub-jay habitat are connected by corridors of restored habitat
acquired by private landowners granting conservation easements;
lands purchased by land acquisition programs; and public lands
available in parks and open space.
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail also provides
fun and exciting educational experiences for adults and children
alike. Visitors all become honorary “Scrub Scouts” as
they head out on the Trail to experience the scrub-jay and the
plants and other wildlife of the Florida scrub. The Florida Scrub-Jay
Trail, recently featured in the Birding Adventures TV program
on Fox Sports Net, has proven to deliver a one-of-a-kind up close
and personal birding encounter.
Admission to the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail
is free. Groups are encouraged to experience the Trail
either by observing or participating in the restoration by planting
trees and other scrub plants. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts
and Brownies work side-by-side with church groups, and garden
clubs with one common cause – to save the Florida scrub-jay
from extinction.
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, is a not
for profit 501 (c) (3) and will continue on into the
future through an outreach program designed to increase the awareness
of the need to restore habitat for the scrub-jay, gopher tortoise
and native plant species. By linking existing scrub-jay habitat
through appropriate natural landscaping in backyards and open
space, the corridors will expand along with the public support
of the efforts to restore the beautiful environmental treasures
of Florida.
Acknowledgements
The following organizations and people have made the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail
a reality:
Archbold Biological Station
Convergence
Dobson’s Woods & Waters, Inc.
Dolly Leiser Family and Friends
Florida Irrigation Supply Co.
Florida Learn and Serve
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trailblazers
Friends of Lake Louisa State Park
The Homer and Patricia Bodiford Family Foundation, Inc.
kalimera design company
Lake County Department of Tourism and Business Relations
Lake County Schools – Service Learning Program
Lake County Growth Management
Lake County school teachers and students of South Lake and East
Ridge High Schools
Lake County Water Authority
McLean Contributionship
National Wildlife Federation
National Youth Leadership Council
U.S. Fish and Wildlife –
Partners for Fish and Wildlife program
Winn-Dixie Stores
The Zamo Family Trust
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