People in Southwest Florida really care about their environment. They witness the damage from pollution, rapid development, and overbuilding firsthand. You’ll meet folks who are passionate about protecting wildlife: Florida scrub-jays, sea turtles, and manatees injured by reckless boaters speeding through canals.
It’s daunting to stand up against billionaire developers or push back at city officials, but there are ways to get involved, have your voice heard, and fight for Florida’s environment.
Audubon Jay Watch
What’s their mission? Boost the population of Florida’s only endemic bird, the Florida Scrub-Jay. Audubon’s Jay Watch program trains people to monitor jay families and advocate for the restoration and conservation of crucial scrub habitats. Caring for these birds in Southwest Florida means joining the Jay Watch community science program, protecting scrub land, and following regulations set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lean on groups like the Florida Wildlife Federation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and local government habitat maps. Keep scrubby vegetation below ten feet, control your pets, and report any scrub-jay sightings.
Want to volunteer? The Jay Watch program rolls out each summer, June through July. Volunteers learn to conduct surveys, track nesting success, and map scrub-jay territories at over 45 sites statewide. Connect with local Southwest Florida Audubon chapters if you’re interested in monitoring or conservation.
If you’re a landowner, there’s plenty you can do. Maintain scrub patches, keep the vegetation under ten feet, and check the Charlotte County GIS Map to see if your property is in the designated Scrub-Jay Permit Boundary. Thinking about developing land? Hire environmental consultants for habitat assessments before breaking ground.
Important contacts and resources:
– Audubon Jay Watch info: https://www.audubon.org/florida/projects/jay-watch
– Volunteer registration: Watch for updates and survey schedules for contact emails.
– Email for general info: flconservation@audubon.org
– The official Jay Watch page: fl.audubon.org/get-involved/jay-watch
Charlotte County also has a Scrub-Jay Habitat Conservation Plan, a network of reserves and development fees designed to protect the scrub-jay over the long term. Clickhere for more information.
Regulatory and Advocacy Organizations:
– U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): The Endangered Species Act protections for the scrub-jay. Call 352-448-9151.
– Florida Wildlife Federation: Always pushing for legal protection and habitat preservation.
– Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Your go-to for legal status and management information.
Key Conservation Actions:
– Don’t feed scrub-jays—it’s illegal and unhealthy for them.
– Keep cats inside and dogs leashed to protect wildlife.
– Support the creation and upkeep of protected scrub habitats.
Southwest Florida is home to strong conservation groups:
Lemon Bay Conservancy transformed a former golf course into the Wildflower Preserve, while the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida (ECOSWF) unites regional organizations under one umbrella.
Other active groups include the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC), Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), and the Environmental Conservancy of North Port, which acquires small parcels for conservation.
Local and Regional Conservation Organizations:
– Lemon Bay Conservancy (Englewood): Protects Lemon Bay and turned 80 acres of an old golf course into a preserve. And the Calusa Land Trust offers valuable resources and links for those wanting to become more involved.
– ECOSWF: Brings together clubs and groups from the region to safeguard local resources.
– Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC): Offers environmental education, manages land, and provides hiking opportunities.
– Conservancy of Southwest Florida: Based in Naples, they tackle policy, wildlife rehabilitation, and land protection.
– SCCF: Works to protect coastal ecosystems and water quality.
– Environmental Conservancy of North Port: Acquires “stepping stone” parcels for conservation.
Get Involved
– Coffee & Conservation at SUP Englewood: Monthly gatherings with expert speakers discussing coastal ecosystems and conservation.
– Coastal Wildlife Club: Tracks turtles and protects wildlife. Find more at supenglewood.com.
Statewide Organizations Active in SWFL:
– Conservation Florida: An accredited land trust working to protect natural and agricultural landscapes statewide.
– Florida Conservation Group: Advocates for critical lands using science-based funding.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida recently landed a $25 million lead grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation: tremendous support for ongoing efforts.
CHEC offers community outreach, education, and conservation programs, and manages land with hiking trails around Punta Gorda and Englewood.
At the Conservancy Nature Center, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital treats over 4,000 injured or orphaned animals every year.
When it feels like your work doesn’t make a difference, remember what Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
