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

From the Lake Wales Ridge to a Statewide Program 

Jay Watch began as a collaborative effort of the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group, created to ensure land managers had the data to effectively manage scrub habitat for healthy Florida Scrub-Jay populations. Under the leadership of Cheryl Millett and fueled by dedicated volunteers and partners, the program expanded, eventually covering the entire range of the Florida Scrub-Jay. 

“I was drawn by the dedicated volunteers and land managers along the Lake Wales Ridge who spent time in the heat of summer monitoring these federally threatened and endlessly charismatic birds, providing those land managers the information they needed,” said Cheryl Millett, who led Jay Watch until 2010. 

Following years of coordination by The Nature Conservancy and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Audubon Florida assumed leadership of Jay Watch, continuing to build the program while strengthening partnerships with state and federal agencies, researchers, and land managers.

A Management Tool in Action 

Jay Watch provides consistent annual survey data to land managers at scrub-jay sites where staffing and budgets would otherwise limit the ability to conduct regular surveys. 

Jay Watch survey data can also direct resources to where they are most needed.

Data for Recovery and Research 

Over 25 years, Jay Watch has become a trusted source of long-term data used by both managers and scientists. 

“The Jay Watch data is an outstanding resource that the Service has come to rely on over the years,” said Todd Mecklenborg, Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Having the annual data provides population trends and metrics for our species recovery efforts.”

The Heart of Jay Watch: Volunteers

At the core of Jay Watch are the volunteers who return year after year, building familiarity with their sites, their birds, and each other. Their motivations are as varied as the scrub habitats they survey, but a common thread runs through them: joy, responsibility, and purpose. 

“It is a way to help a species not go extinct,” volunteer Lynn Simmons shared. “There is a chance to see other wildlife when counting jays and it’s just fun!” 

As much as volunteers get out of the program, their contributions amount to far more. “Our volunteer network distributed thousands of copies of Audubon Adventures featuring the Florida-Scrub Jay to Audubon chapters, classrooms, and nature centers, building a community for conservation” said Jacqui Sulek, former Jay Watch coordinator.

Lookingto the Future

25 years in, Jay Watch shows the impact people can have when work together. The data tell an important story. But the relationships behind Jay Watch are what makes it impactful.

“Jay Watch is a long-term commitment based on strong partnerships and people working together for wildlife. As we look ahead, Jay Watch will continue to guide management, inform recovery, and inspire the next generation of conservation stewards.” — Audrey DeRose-Wilson, Director of Bird Conservation

This article appeared in the 2025 Jay Watch Report. Read the full report here.