Seasonal Updates at the Preserve
Florida scrub is designated as an imperiled habitat. Scrub is the only place where the Florida scrub jay can be found. Scrub jays are Florida’s only endemic birds and are listed as a threatened species. Mechanical treatments such as roller chopping and mowing are used to keep the vegetation low and suitable for the scrub jay. Scrub jays need expanses of low shrubs and sandy areas with little to no tree coverage. Generally suitable scrub is low enough so that a 6-foot tall person would be able to see over most of the landscape plants.
Scrub restoration project
Volusia County conducts annual restoration projects in Lyonia Preserve.
As part of the county’s ongoing efforts to maintain the scrub habitat for scrub jays, land management workers roller chop select areas that have become too dense. Roller choppers are used to knock down and chop up brush and trees up to about 3 inches in diameter. The staff marks gopher tortoise burrows, bypasses less dense areas, and leaves islands of oak trees.
Pollinators are hard at work
Thanks to our many helpful pollinators, new foliage and blooms are appearing in the preserve.
