This Florida Scrub-Jay was photographed by James Rogers within North Port city limits. The Environmental Conservancy of North Port successfully raised funds to buy two lots for Florida Scrub-Jay habitat in the city.

NORTH PORT – The Environmental Conservancy of North Port raised enough money in its latest fundraising campaign to buy two adjacent lots targeted for Florida Scrub Jay habitat and build up reserves for its next purchase, which could be in Englewood.

“We got a $25,000 donation from an anonymous group of people in Sarasota and then we got $10,000 from a repeat donor,” said Barbara Lockhart, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors. “She gave us funds for the last fundraiser as well and we got $1,500 from another lady who donated to us a number of times – also from Sarasota."

Those larger donations, combined with smaller donations through GoFundMe helped the conservancy raise $36,700 – well above the $24,000 needed for the adjacent parcels on Minardi Street and Jayman Road – and in plenty of time before its Aug. 17 purchase deadline.

“We beat the deadline and we were able to close a couple days early,” Lockhart said.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Combined, the nonprofit ― which buys and preserves land in both Sarasota and Charlotte counties ― has purchased or received donations of 23 parcels for wildlife habitat.

Sixteen of the protected parcels are in North Port, six in Charlotte County's Harbour Heights neighborhood and one in Port Charlotte.

The extra $12,700 received will go toward the next purchase. Lockhart said the group is working on outreach in Englewood in a neighborhood known as good habitat for the Florida Scrub-Jay and the Northern bobwhite quail – which is in major decline – as well as suitable for gopher tortoises and bobcats.

Since the conservancy started in February 2020, it has raised $153,500 to purchase 20 parcels.

Other areas the conservancy hopes to target include Port Charlotte, Gulf Cove and Rotonda West on the Cape Haze peninsula.

Lochart said the conservancy is also working on building a volunteer base with meetings this month.

The first, at 6 p.m., Aug. 27 at the Shannon Staub Public Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port, is primarily for native plant growers and rescuers. A Zoom volunteer meeting is set for 7 p.m., Aug. 30.

For more information call 941-218-9775, email NPconservancy@gmail.com or visit https://www..ecnorthport.com. The nonprofit is on Facebook at The Environmental Conservancy of North Port And Surrounding Areas or Instagram at @npconservancy.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Environmental Conservancy of North Port closes on lots for Scrub-Jays