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

September 25, 2010 Trailday Newsletter
Hello Trailblazers and Friends,

Fall at last!

We've waited a long time, and now the mornings are refreshing and the days are tolerable.
We're in the height of the growing season and looking forward to an abundant Harvest.
We hope your gardens are growing well.

Fall Trailday

You’re invited to the Trail this Saturday, September 25, to enjoy the cool morning and help spruce up the Trail after a long hot summer. We’ll be working on the irrigation system.
We will be serving a light breakfast with coffee, tea and apple cider and you’re invited to bring something to add to the table.

Please RSVP, so we can prepare accordingly.
info@scrubjaytrail.org  or (352)-429-5566

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September Highlights

A visit from Eliza Russell, Director of Education Programs for National Wildlife Federation

Eliza came in for a "Tour of Florida" and a workshop in Broward County designed to "teach the teachers" about the wildlife education programs available through NWF.
Her tour brought her to the Scrub-Jay Trail for a visit and planning session. She enjoyed the respite from a busy itinerary that took her from south Florida to the Panhandle and back again. For information about NWF education programs, visit  www.nwf.org

A visit from Alex Shore with Broward County's Environmental Protection and
Growth Management Department
Alex came up to see the Trail. Broward is extremely active in the National Wildlife Federation Habitat Stewards program, Community Wildlife Habitat, and wildlife education programs in the school system. It was great to hear of the work they are doing in Broward County.
Check their website at  www.broward.org > Go Green for an overview of their commitment to saving the environment.

Organic Gardening Workshop with Jeri Baldwin
Jeri Baldwin and her Chief Gardener Lee Solomon once again have shared a wealth of information about the techniques of organic vegetable gardening. This included the importance of raising worms, composting, natural insect control and organic fertilizing.

It was a very enlightening class and everyone got to build their own worm box complete with 100 live worms to take home.

Jeri Baldwin is the founder of  Crone's Cradle Conserve  in Citra, an organic farm and 756 acre privately owned nature preserve. They are open to the public and you can get further info at www.cronescradleconserve.com

Craig Tufts Pollinator Garden Dedication
This garden is the result of a lot of hard work by the Scrub-Jay Trailblazers and volunteers.

On Saturday, September 18, a ribbon cutting was held to officially open the garden. The garden is dedicated to Craig Tufts, Chief Naturalist for the National Wildlife Federation who passed away in June 2009.

Jean Tufts, Craig's wife, participated in the ceremony and was very impressed by the volunteer effort that takes place here at the Trail.

Joining Jean on her visit was Kelly Senser, Senior Associate Editor with NWF, who has been very supportive on the Scrub-Jay Trail. More photos to come.

Lake County "Adopt a Roadway" Project.
We had a good turnout for this quarterly event. A competition for the strangest road trash was held once again, and the winner of a Scrub-Jay Trail T-Shirt is Rich Whalen who found a pair of watches. Following the road clean-up we fired up the grill and had a picnic.

The next cleanup is scheduled for December 18.

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Upcoming Events and Activities

Guided Tour of The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, October 2, from 8am-11am
In this 3 hour program, first time visitors to the Trail will learn about the status of the Florida scrub-jay and its habitat. During a tour of the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail visitors will watch for the resident jays and learn about the native plants of the Florida Scrub.
Following the tour, visitors will participate in the planting of a scrub-oak on the Trail, and find out how they can contribute to the preservation of the species on their own property.
This program is open to all adults and children who share a love of the outdoors, birds and wildlife.

Feel free to share this information with your friends.

Reservations for the stewardship program are required to assure a spot.
Contact us at:   info@scrubjaytrail.org  or  (352)-429-5566

"Show us your Florida Scrub-Jay Trail T-Shirt" contest
Next time you're out and about with your camera, send us a picture of you in your Florida Scrub-Jay Trail T-shirt. An independent panel of judges will be choosing a winner from the most unique location, whether it be you own hometown or around the world.
Winner will receive a package of Florida Scrub-Jay Trail merchandise.
Send photo to  photos@scrubjaytrail.org

Florida Scrub-Jay Trail On-Line Store
Visit this website's Store section to purchase Florida Scrub-Jay Trail T- Shirts, front License Plates your car, Coffee Mugs, or Mouse Pads.
The Florida Scrub-Jay Consortium contributes a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of the license plates towards the Florida Scrub-Jay Education Fund. We thank you for your support.

Equipment Needs
If you or anyone you know can assist in obtaining the following items, we would greatly appreciate it:
- A front end loader for the tractor is needed to continue with the Trail restoration;
- A 4-6 passenger golf cart type vehicle to assist those guests who cannot walk well on the guided tours.

Membership
Thank you to those that have renewed your annual membership or have become a new member. With increased participation in our programs and activities we are able to make a bigger impact. It is through your voluntary efforts and active support that this growth is made possible. Members like you provide the primary source of funding to continue to educate others about the Florida scrub-jay and its habitat.

For a membership , complete the application form and return with your payment. As a member, you will receive the following benefits:
. 10% discount on plants and merchandise at B.B. Brown's Gardens
. Invitation to special events for members only
. 10% discount on workshops held at the Trailhead

The mission of the Florida Scrub-Jay Consortium is to preserve the Florida Scrub-Jay and its habitat. Your support is very important to us and is vital for continuing our mission.

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