President's Letter

By Megan Brinton, President

I was so proud to see that two of our very own volunteers have recently been featured in Audubon Florida's newest Jay Watch report! Thank you to Hanna Beery and Callie Ingram for everything you do to support Scrub Jays. As we at West Volusia Audubon prepare to launch our annual Jay Watch fundraiser and lead the state-wide fundraising effort for the program, the Jays are on our minds. If you haven't yet seen any Scrub Jays in 2025, I urge you to make some time to get outside and go hiking! I encourage you all to take a moment to appreciate the beauty, intelligence, and sense of community that these birds possess. Appreciate our natural spaces that they need and thrive in, like Lyonia Preserve and Blue Spring State Park; The same natural spaces that are still under protection for our enjoyment and recreation. It's our duty to remember the value of these places, to stay connected to and aware of the reason they're worth conserving and protecting.

You can read the latest Jay Watch report, here:

https://fl.audubon.org/get-involved/jay-watch

Sincerely,

Megan Brinton
President

Wild Citrus Along Central Florida Trails

By Joan Ferrell

Central Florida is home to several nature trails where wild oranges can be found. These oranges may not be as sweet as ones grown in groves, but their blossoms are just as fragrant. One notable trail is the

Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, known for its diverse ecosystems and the presence of wild citrus trees. The

Lake Louisa State Park offers beautiful trails alongside areas where wild oranges thrive among the native flora. In the

Little Big Econ State Forest, you can explore trails that wind through habitats where wild orange trees grow.

The Hontoon Island State Park also features trails where you might encounter these citrus trees.

Cypress Grove Park provides a scenic route home to various fruit-bearing plants, including wild oranges.

Ocala National Forest has trails that pass through areas with wild citrus, providing a great opportunity for fruit foragers.

Additionally, the Wekiva River Preserve State Park offers trails where wild oranges can sometimes be spotted. Finally, the

Orlando Wetlands Park features trails that allow visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and possibly discover wild orange trees along the way. Exploring these trails offers a chance to see wild oranges and enjoy Central Florida's rich biodiversity.

Find more trails in "Florida Footsteps: A Guide To Short Trails In Florida"

https://a.co/d/7oceH5A

We enjoyed seeing you at the Wildlife Festival on Saturday. Our Friends of Volusia FMNP booth had lots of interest, and we Thank you! 

Joan Ferrell
Ferrell Outdoors - Where Nature and Curiosity Merge
joan@ferrelloutdoors.com
407-462-2452

www.ferrelloutdoors.com

Wild Bird Poetry Book

By Paul Bishop

“During a seven year Revisitation project into the central Florida wilderness, I made daily excursions for the purpose of surveying wild places and wildlife populations I was raised with in my youth. The wild places had not visibly changed but of course some wildlife numbers had and in particular many wild bird numbers have dwindled. as a trained wildlife biologist and naturalist, I suspected various reasons but the losses nevertheless were somewhat shocking and always disappointing. I made notes often, “Lost Bird Poetry“ has been one record of my findings.“ – Paul Dudley Bishop

Wild bird poetry book with artist illustrations by Paul Dudley Bishop and other artists. $15 each plus $4 shipping/handling

You can order from the publisher at charlottejanedickens@outlook.com

Or you can send a check to Bishop/Dickens c/o 239 1/2 South Alabama Ave DeLand, FL 32724.

Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center

Come join the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center on Instagram! We post photos of the LEC and Preserve, including some great shots of our resident Florida Scrub Jays. We also feature the LEC’s great programs, staff and volunteer team, and we can't forget the animal ambassadors!