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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 |
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April 26, 2014 Trailday Newsletter
Hello Trailblazers!
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"A Florida Scrub-Jay at the Trail"
photo: Cline Walters
See more of his photographs in the
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HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Isn't it nice to know that when you get involved with nature, every day is Earth Day? Here at the Scrub-Jay Trail, you can stand in one spot and look in any direction and see what Mother Earth has to offer, 365 days a year. You are more than welcome to join us in celebrating Earth Day any day.
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Trailday information |
This Saturday, April 26 will be the Spring Trailday, a chance to get out into the morning sunshine and help clear the Trail of invasives and continue checking the low volume irrigation lines to the newly planted trees. Feel free to bring breakfast contributions to share. Please RSVP so we know how many to prepare for.
Unfortunately, Dianna, the Yoga Queen, won't be able to make it this time, so there will be no
Yoga, or Noga for short. If you want to do some self-directed Yoga, or just sit by the lake and watch the sun come up, you are more than welcome. Just let us know so we'll have the gate open early.
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Happenings at the Trail |
Scrub-jay Update
We're in the nesting season now, but as far as we can tell, our scrub-jays are not nesting yet. They are, however, displaying some courtship behaviors, male feeding female and gathering nest materials, so we're remaining vigilant in hopes that nesting will begin soon. Our feeling is that this spring weather has been so unpredictable that it has thrown their timing off. Fingers crossed.
Sumter County Master Gardeners' Visit
This month, we were visited by the Master Gardeners from Sumter County for a 3 hour program on scrub-jay habitat, native plants and butterfly gardens. This is a very active group that we spoke to at their meeting a while ago and were very impressed with their organization.
The Scrub-jay Trail on the Road Again
We recently presented a program at the Marion Baysinger Library in Groveland entitled "Gardens for Lake County", an interactive program that examined the right plant materials for South Lake County gardens.
Three, one-hour programs were presented at the Library, and at the Scrub-Jay Trail for practical applications.
It was a very good way to familiarize the community with native plants and their support of habitat.
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Men at Work |
The program designed to recruit more men to volunteer at the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail has met with success. Since its inception, men have stepped up to the plate and expertly pruned acres of scrub oaks, carefully removed invasives from the Trail, and masterfully built new fencing around the expanded Giving Garden. This was accomplished by only 5 men and 4 Boy Scouts. Of course, a few women helped too, but that's a different story.
So guys, just think what can be accomplished with greater numbers. A lot remains to be done, so why don't you put down that clicker, put the golf clubs in the garage, mow the lawn some other time, and schedule a visit to the Scrub-Jay Trail to build your Karmic profile.
Here are some of the Scrub-Jay Trail Men at Work Hall of Famers.
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Hiroshi the Samurai Pruner
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Alan the Problem Solver
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Dan the Weedmeister
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Brett the Ninjalopper
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Nicholas Scissorhands
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Aidan the Lantana Killer
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Matt, Stick Killer and
Father of Aidan the Lantana Killer
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Nicolas the Bushmaster
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Catalin, Father of Nicolas the Bushmaster
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YOUR FACE HERE !
Reserved for the next group of
Men at Work
Hall of Famers
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So what do you say guys? Give us a call and tell us what your schedule looks like, and we'll find a spot to match. If you have a son who is a scout or on a soccer team, bring the whole gang and we'll get the job done in no time.
We thank you for your support.
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Bruce, the Overseer |
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Calling All Fishermen and Fisherwomen |
We have an interesting program coming up this summer that you may want to participate in.
On July 8-12, and 15-19, the Florida Scrub-Jay Consortium,
in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be offering kids, from 9 to 15 years of age, a 5 day Fishing and Basic Boating Skills Camp.
We are asking for your help in the way of volunteer support to help administer the program. FWC will provide their top Education State Coordinator with Fresh Water Fisheries Management to train a select few volunteers for 1 ½ days of training in June for volunteers to become familiar with the Fishing Camp curriculum. We need a Lead Instructor, an assistant and 6 volunteers. We're hoping that the volunteers will be able to assist on both weeks of the camp. It'll be a lot of fun and a chance to fish a lake that has been virtually unfished for 18 years.
If you have an interest in joining us for this program, please let me know by email at or calling 352-429-5566.
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In closing ... |
So that's April.
We hope you will support the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail. It's a beautiful piece of property, and it is our desire to share it with as many people as possible. You can get involved as a volunteer and donate your time to help beautify the Trail, help by planting vegetables for the Giving Garden, support the Trail by your membership contribution, or better yet, all of the above. This time of the year provides a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy all that springtime has to offer, and your support will help us keep the gate open for all to come.
You can find out about membership below , call 352-429-5566, of by drop by on Saturday-Wednesday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
We hope to see you out on the Trail.
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Membership |
Membership
Thank you to those who 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
,
please complete the 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
from extinction through preservation, restoration and education.
Your support is very important to us and is vital for continuing
our mission.
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