July
26,
2008 Trailday Newsletter
Greetings from the Trail! |
Summertime offers both the good and the bad.
At least for now, the drought has subsided and the rains have helped
to keep the scrub-jay restoration project alive. Other good news
has come our way ...
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Trailblazer
Chris Parker Wins
the Disney "Ears to You" Award |
Congratulations to Chris Parker for winning the Walt
Disney Company's "Ears to You"
program for exemplary volunteer service. 
Chris has received this honor for 3 consecutive
years as a result of the volunteer hours she has contributed. Cast members who win this
award designate their favorite non-profit to receive the financial award. For the 2nd year,
Chris has chosen the Florida Scrub-Jay Consortium and presented a check for $1,000.
Thank you Chris, for all the support you give and for this generous gift!
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The
Florida Scrub-Jay License Plates
Have Arrived |
Front license plates featuring the Florida Scrub-Jay
are now available. The plates are currently on sale at the Florida
Scrub-Jay Trail for $12.25 each. The Florida Scrub-Jay
Consortium contributes a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of these license
plates towards The Florida Scrub-Jay Education Fund.
 To
view the two designs being offered go to the "news page" or click
on the image on the left.
Organizations interested in ordering in bulk can
contact
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| Trailblazers Beat the Heat! |
We had a great turnout for the last Trailday. Many wildflowers, scrub plants and
irrigation spitters were installed. New Trailblazer Jim Edmiston has provided a lot of
irrigation and mowing support, and we thank him for that. Our regular Bush-hogger, Neal
Rossdeutcher, had to miss because of an operation on his elbow. When he comes back,
he'll be amazed at how quickly dog fennel and ragweed can grow with a little rain.
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| This Little Piggy Went to the Scrub-Jay Trail |
Just when we thought we were finished with the wild
hogs, 4 paid us a visit and did an
enormous amount of damage to the newly planted and irrigated sections recently
completed. It seems like they enjoy rooting around in newly disturbed, soft and moist
earth. It's easier on their snouts. It'll take some time to repair the damage.
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| Dog Fennel, Ragweed and other Invasives arrive! |
 |
Dog Fennel
|
Due
to the recent rains, the invasives have returned in abundance.
In the open fields, they're manageable, but in the tightly planted
areas, it becomes very problematic. The success is directly tied
to the number of people working on their removal, and hopefully
we'll have a good turnout for this month's Trailday.
This month, due to the hog
problem, we will
re-focus our attention to Phase I by weeding,
repairing irrigation and planting new materials.
Please bring your
gloves, shovels, clippers etc.
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| Scrub-Jays Expand Their Territory! |
The resident family of scrub-jays have repeated
their annual tradition by moving down to the eastern side of the
property and around the Trailhouse. It's good to see them up close
again, and report that they all look healthy, except for some summer molting.
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| A Week In The Scrub Surveying |
Trailblazers, Bruce and Cathy Brown, along with their grandson, Tyler Steward from Ft.
Collins, Colorado had the opportunity to spend a week at Allen David Broussard Catfish
Creek Preserve in the scrub surveying for scrub-jays. Monitoring the scrub-jays at this
location has been an annual event for years and this year was quite encouraging. We
sighted 13 scrub-jays including several juveniles.
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| Scrub-Jay Trail Orientation |
Those of you that have friends that are interested
in attending a Scrub-Jay Trail orientation, the next one is scheduled
for Saturday August 2nd from 8am
until 11am.
Please contact us at or
call (352)-429-5566 for further information and to register.
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| NWF Habitat Stewards Training |
Applications are now being accepted for
the Fall National Wildlife Federation Habitat Stewards Training.
This three day training will take place September 13, 14,
and 15 and
will be hosted by B.B.Brown's Gardens in Clermont, FL
 If
you are interested in creating and restoring wildlife habitat in
your
community and would like to be member of the next certified
NWF Habitat Stewards class,
please e-mail or
call (352)-429-5566
for a registration package.
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| Trailday
on Saturday, July 26 |
If you are planning on joining us for Trailday
on Saturday, July 26th please RSVP with
the number attending in your party. As always, any contributions you'd like to make to
the breakfast table will be appreciated, but is not required.
RSVP at or 352-429-5566
We look forward to seeing you on the Trail.
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