Tippen Bay Conservation Bank

The Florida Scrub Jay ( Aphelocoma coerulescens ) is officially listed as a Threatened state species by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1975 and it was listed as a Threatened federal species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1987.

The scrub jay is threatened by destruction of their habitat. A successful recovery program has been implemented by securing large-scale habitats which are essential for the species’ long-term survival.

The Tippen Bay Conservation Bank has scrub jay credits available as conservation measures to offset and compensate for developmental impacts .This 239.3 acre conservation bank is located in Southern DeSoto County, FL; the area provides off-site mitigation alternatives for public and private developers for permitted activities that involve impact to the Florida scrub-jay. The placement of this property under a conservation easement benefits a diverse assemblage of native wildlife and plant species by expanding the existing network of conservation lands, resulting in large contiguous tracts of managed habitats known as the Brighthour/Fisheating Creek Conservation Corridor.

A total of 39.8 acres of habitat previously cleared, but currently utilized by scrub-jays, will be enhanced to provide native shrubland habitat that will serve as important connectors and foraging areas. Phase 1 is occupied by three groups of scrub-jays that are currently utilizing the xeric oak, palmetto prairie and improved pasture habitats. Phase 1 also includes habitats that make up a portion of the travel corridor that scrub-jays utilize to move between Phase 1 and Phase 2 and 3 habitats. Portions of these will be enhanced to improve the structure to be more conducive for scrub jay movement. These corridors are highly significant to the long-term survival of this population and must be preserved and managed to allow for continued movement and future immigration. Enhancement of the 39.8 acres of pasture in Phase 1 has begun and achievement of success criteria will be demonstrated prior to release of Phase 2 credits.