SEBASTIAN AREASEBASTIAN AREA--WIDE WIDE SCRUBSCRUB--JAY HABITAT JAY HABITAT

CONSERVATION PLAN & CONSERVATION PLAN & Public Use ImprovementsPublic Use Improvements

Beth PowellConservation Lands

ManagerParks DivisionIndian River

County

Description of the HCPAllows for Incidental Take Permits (ITPs) to be issued on “scrub” lots in the Sebastian Highlands– 317 1/4 acre lots totaling (79.3 acres)

ITPs are mitigated by the conservation land acquisitions & management of 324 acres habitable by the Florida Scrub Jay– North Sebastian Conservation Area (406 acres)– Sebastian Highlands Conservation Area (10 acres)– Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area (111 acres)– Pelican Island Elementary School Scrub Lots (+12 acres)– Sebastian Airport Scrub Area (38 acres)

HCP Guidelines & Requirements

Habitat Restoration/Enhancementfor the Florida Scrub-Jay

– mechanical enhancement (timbering, etc.)– prescribed burning– exotics removal

Protection of the Conservation Areas– e.g. fencing, monitoring, patrolling, etc.

Monitoring of the Florida Scrub-Jays and Other “Key” Species– report findings to U.S. Fish & Wildlife annually

The Florida ScrubRanked by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as Imperiled Globally & in the State of Florida

– 70-85% lost since pre-settlement times (Bergen 1994; Fitzpatrick et al 1994a) and 90% loss in Indian River County(Fernald 1989)

Pyrogenic Community (Fire Dependent) Dominated by Evergreen Oaks (Quercus spp.)

The Florida ScrubOccurring on the Sandy, Well-Drained Soils of Relict Coastal and Inland Dune SystemsUnique to Peninsular FloridaHabitat Loss Due to Commercial & Residential Development

Scrub SpeciesFlorida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Threatened Status -

USFWS & FWC

Scrub SpeciesFlorida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Adult

Juvenile < 5 mos. old

Scrub SpeciesFlorida Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Species of Special Concern -

FWC

Scrub SpeciesEastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

Threatened Status -

USFWS & FWC

Scrub SpeciesFlorida Scrub-Lizard (Sceloporus woodi)

Scrub SpeciesGopher Frog (Rana capito)

Species of Special Concern -

FWC

Scrub SpeciesSouth Eastern Five-Lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus)

The Florida Scrub-Jay

Blue & Gray Crestless Jay– no difference in size or

color between sexesOnly Bird Endemic to Peninsular FloridaAverage Territory -22 acresFamily Size Ranges from 2-8 IndividualsNaturally “Fearless”

Listed as a Threatened Species by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1987

The Florida Scrub-JayUnique Social System– permanent monogomy– year-round territoriality– cooperative breeding– intrafamilial dominance heirarchy– delayed dispersal - juveniles stay

with parents 1-2 years and help with

• territorial defense• scanning for predators• feeding the nestlings & fledglings

– food caching– sentinel system

The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida

Between 1991-1998 the population of Sebastian’s scrub-jays declined 45% -from 35 breeding pairs to only 16Reasons for population decrease:– habitat loss (development)– habitat fragmentation– decreased nesting success– decreased dispersal success– degraded habitat quality caused by

development & fire exclusion– increased predation by cats, dogs and other predators

not normally found in optimal xeric oak scrub habitat

The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida

Consists of 2 Sub-populations (separated by at least 2.2 miles)

– South population = 9 families (Wabasso SCA, Units 10 & 17 of Sebastian Highlands.)

– North population = 4 families (NSCA)– At least 5 families on the Airport

& P.I.E. properties

The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida

Optimal Habitat Requirements:– >50% shrub layer

being comprised of scrub oaks

– 10-30% open space (bare sand or sparse vegetation

– 0-15% pine canopy cover

– shrub height of 3.9-5.6’

– >328’ from a forest

The Florida Scrub-Jay in Sebastian, Florida

Family size averaged 3.0 individuals per groupClutch size average 3.8Median incubation date April 7thMedian hatching date April 24thSuccess rate at 72% nestlings fledgedMean annual productivity 1.9 young fledged per pair, per yearMedian fledging date May 10th70% nesting attempts were successful in fledging at least one young

Scrub-Jay Nesting Success Study in Sebastian, Florida

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Optimal Suboptimal Ancillary Lawn

Management Activities Taking Place:Management Activities Taking Place:North Sebastian Conservation AreaWabasso Scrub Conservation Area

Sebastian Highlands Conservation AreaPelican Island Elementary School Scrub Habitat

Sebastian Airport Scrub Habitat

– Timbering/Pine Canopy Thinning– Fencing and Gating Access Points

– Prescribed Fire/Burn– Mechanical Habitat Enhancement

– Public Use Improvements– Exotics Removal (Flora & Fauna)

– Monitoring

Fencing and Gating Access Points

Prescribed Fire/Burn

Mechanical Habitat Enhancement

Mechanical Habitat Enhancement

Monitoring Scrub Jays

Monitoring Gopher Tortoises

Monitoring Gopher Tortoises

Active

Inactive

Exotics Removal (Flora & Fauna)Brazilian pepperWild hogs

Public Use Improvements

Public Use Improvements

Captain Forster Hammock Preserve

Opened Feb. 17, 2003

Restrooms (above)

Trails (left)

Public Use Improvements

Captain Forster Hammock Preserve

Restrooms/Trailhead (above)

Entrance – IR Lagoon (left)

Funding

North Sebastian Conservation Area funded in part by the Florida

Communities Trust Florida Forever Program

FundingReceived grant through the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection

Land & Water Conservation Fund

Total Project Cost: $206,000Restrooms

Parking

Boardwalk/Piers/Observation Tower

ADA Stabilized Nature Trail

ADA Paved Fitness Trail & Equipment

4 miles Biking, Hiking, Horseback Trails

Equestrian Trailhead

Conceptual PlanNORTH SEBASTIAN

CONSERVATION AREA ­

PUBLIC USE (NEW)

IMPROVEMENTS

Multi-Use Trail - Accessible

Fishing Pier

Boardwalk

Multi-Use Trails

Proposed Fitness Trails/Parking &

Restrooms

Opportunities for Your InvolvementOpportunities for Your Involvement

Pepper BustingSpecies MonitoringVolunteering at “Work Days”“Policing”Conservation Areas

EducationPlant & Animal Inventory HelpAttending Public Scoping Meetings

Why Save the Scrub-Jay?"Men still live who, in their youth remember

pigeons;trees still live that, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a few decades hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last

only the hills will know.We grieve because no living man will ever see again the onrush of victorious birds, sweeping

a path for spring across the March skies, chasing the defeated winter from all of the

woods and prairies.There will always be pigeons in books and in museums but they are dead to all hardships and to all delights. They cannot dive out of a

cloud, nor clap their wings in thunderous applause. They know no urge of seasons; they

feel no kiss of sun, no lash of wind and weather, they live forever by not living at all."

From a Monument to the PigeonAldo Leopold, 1947

Why Save the Scrub-Jay?"Birds are an 'ecological litmus paper'. Because of their rapid metabolism and wide geographical range, they reflect changes in the environment quickly; they warn us of things out of balance sending out signals whenever there is a deterioration in the ecosystem..."- Roger Tory Peterson

Some things are not for sale….