West Volusia Audubon

08/31/2026

It isn’t a race…but Astor is winning!

We got one of our periodic updates on Astor, the Swallow-tailed Kite, and our rockstar has gotten a head start on her South American migration. Astor was the first kite to leave and is the farthest from Florida, and has already safely crossed the Andes Mountains in Colombia. She left from the Florida Everglades straight across to Cuba on July 30th. After one night on Cuba she flew to Mexico just south of Cancún.

We’re able to follow Astor’s travels thanks to West Volusia Audubon’s partnership with the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and the Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI). West Volusia Audubon helped fund this effort to tag Astor and gain valuable insight into the migratory habits of Swallow-tailed kites.

08/20/2026

We know some of you are going to be very excited to see this!

🩵 You asked. We got ’em! 🩵
That incredibly popular Florida Scrub-Jay mural in downtown DeLand now has prints available at ArtWorks DeLand! 🐦🎨

The original mural was created by West Volusia Artists in partnership with the West Volusia Audubon Society, celebrating one of Florida’s most iconic—and threatened, birds.

And there’s an extra reason to love these prints: a portion of the proceeds goes toward the West Volusia Artists mural fund, helping support more public art in our community. ❤️

Take home a little piece of DeLand’s colorful art scene, and help us put more art on the walls of our city!
📍 Stop by ArtWorks DeLand, 111 W. Indiana Ave.
🖼️ Prints are available now!

07/31/2026

WVA in the news!

There is only one bird that can be found in and ONLY in Florida: the Florida Scrub-Jay.

Despite this species’ uniqueness, their population has declined by 90% since 1900. To remind those who live alongside these special birds that they need our support, a massive mural was recently painted in DeLand, Florida.

Want to help Florida Scrub-Jays? Join Jay Watch! Audubon Florida coordinates the Jay Watch community science program statewide, training volunteers to conduct scientific surveys that track populations and nesting success at more than 45 sites in 19 counties.

06/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and helped spread the word about our 2026 ‘Tis The Season Jay Watch Fundraiser. We were able to blow past our $10,000 goal and donate $12,500 to support Audubon Florida’s Jay Watch program!

A special thank you goes out to our just over 20 donors, including our West Volusia Audubon Board Members, for their contributions to this effort.

We know times are hard for so many people, but we are thankful for everyone who helped in this effort including those who were willing and able to contribute, and of course the volunteers all over the state who have given their time to this effort.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the next Audubon Florida Jay Watch report to see what insights this year’s survey generates as we work to ensure a future for the Florida Scrub-Jay!

06/07/2026

06/04/2026

Our friends and members with donations big and small have made a lot of progress on our campaign but we still need your help to hit our goal of raising $10,000 for Jay Watch!

Will you help us support the Florida Scrub-Jay by donating or sharing this post?

You can find the donation link in our bio Instagram or right here: https://www.lecfriends.com/jay-watch/

Jay Watch is a community science program led by Audubon Florida that is dedicated to training and supporting volunteers in conducting scientific surveys. This effort helps us evaluate the total number of scrub-jays and annual nesting success at more than 45 sites in 19 counties including our beloved Lyonia Preserve and Blue Spring State Park!

As Florida’s only endemic bird species, scrub-jays delight locals and draw birders from all over and often reward visitors with a lifelong memory by landing on their hat or shoulder. But the Scrub-Jay population is under an ever-increasing threat and its population is estimated to have declined by 90% since the early 1800s, largely due to loss of its native scrub habitat.

With your help, we can help continue to ensure that the Florida Scrub-Jay will be around to delight and inspire for many generations to come.

06/04/2026

A mural unveiling event May 19 in Artisan Alley in Downtown DeLand brought together members of Lyonia Environmental Center (including their mascot, Rusty the scrub jay). The mural was painted by the West Volusia Artists in collaboration with the National Audubon Society.

06/04/2026

https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2258039/emails/187135971811133326

West Volusia Audubon is once again coordinating a fundraising campaign to support the 2026 edition of the annual Jay Watch survey. Our friends and members have made a lot of progress on this campaign but we still need your help!

05/20/2026

We know the algorithm isn’t always our friend, and sometimes people find out about our events after they happen. We want to help make sure you’re finding out about our events in plenty of time!

Our weekly West Volusia Audubon/LEC Friends “Sentinel Jay” newsletter includes a look at upcoming WVA events as well as events at the Lyonia Environmental Center, as well as news and articles of note. You can sign up for the mailing list at:

https://www.westvolusiaaudubon.org/ehummingbird/

This link is also found on Instagram in our stories and highlights.

We also want to remind you that the LEC hosts events through Eventbrite, and if you follow the LEC on Eventbrite, you’ll also get updates when new events are added! You can follow them here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lyonia-environmental-center-50947472233