25 Years of Jay Watch: People, Partnerships, and Florida Scrub-Jays

From the Lake Wales Ridge to a Statewide Program 

Jay Watch started as a collaborative effort of the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group, created to make sure land managers had the information to successfully handle scrub habitat for wholesome Florida Scrub-Jay populations. Below the management of Cheryl Millett and fueled by devoted volunteers and companions, this system expanded, ultimately masking your complete vary of the Florida Scrub-Jay. 

“I used to be drawn by the devoted volunteers and land managers alongside the Lake Wales Ridge who hung out within the warmth of summer time monitoring these federally threatened and endlessly charismatic birds, offering these land managers the knowledge they wanted,” mentioned Cheryl Millett, who led Jay Watch till 2010. 

Following years of coordination by The Nature Conservancy and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee, Audubon Florida assumed management of Jay Watch, persevering with to construct this system whereas strengthening partnerships with state and federal businesses, researchers, and land managers.

A Administration Device in Motion 

Jay Watch offers constant annual survey information to land managers at scrub-jay websites the place staffing and budgets would in any other case restrict the power to conduct common surveys. 

Jay Watch survey information may also direct sources to the place they’re most wanted.

Information for Restoration and Analysis 

Over 25 years, Jay Watch has turn into a trusted supply of long-term information utilized by each managers and scientists. 

“The Jay Watch information is an excellent useful resource that the Service has come to depend on through the years,” mentioned Todd Mecklenborg, Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Having the annual information offers inhabitants developments and metrics for our species restoration efforts.”

The Coronary heart of Jay Watch: Volunteers

On the core of Jay Watch are the volunteers who return yr after yr, constructing familiarity with their websites, their birds, and one another. Their motivations are as various because the scrub habitats they survey, however a typical thread runs by means of them: pleasure, duty, and objective. 

“It’s a means to assist a species not go extinct,” volunteer Lynn Simmons shared. “There’s a probability to see different wildlife when counting jays and it’s simply enjoyable!” 

As a lot as volunteers get out of this system, their contributions quantity to way more. “Our volunteer community distributed hundreds of copies of Audubon Adventures that includes the Florida-Scrub Jay to Audubon chapters, lecture rooms, and nature facilities, constructing a group for conservation” mentioned Jacqui Sulek, former Jay Watch coordinator.

Lookingto the Future

25 years in, Jay Watch reveals the affect individuals can have when work collectively. The information inform an necessary story. However the relationships behind Jay Watch are what makes it impactful.

“Jay Watch is a long-term dedication based mostly on sturdy partnerships and other people working collectively for wildlife. As we glance forward, Jay Watch will proceed to information administration, inform restoration, and encourage the subsequent technology of conservation stewards.” — Audrey DeRose-Wilson, Director of Fowl Conservation

This text appeared within the 2025 Jay Watch Report. Read the full report here.