My Public Lands

Jack Hailman, BLM Jupiter Inlet Outstanding Natural Area, Florida

Dr. Jack Hailman is Professor Emeritus of Zoology at the University of Wisconsin, and a Research Associate at Florida’s Archbold Biological Station. For the past 6 years, Dr. Hailman and his wife, Liz, have conducted formal monthly surveys at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA, starting primarily with the documentation of bird use at the site. Their work soon extended to other vertebrates, invertebrates, flowering and non-flowering plants, and lichens, expanding the ONA’s impressive species count to 224.

Over the years, Dr. Hailman has coordinated monthly species inventories with other subject-matter experts and partners, starting in the pre-dawn hours and working through all types of weather, including hurricanes.

In addition to his field work, Dr. Hailman has spent many hours organizing notes, performing difficult identifications, taking and cataloging photos, and organizing and maintaining the site’s extensive species list. The photo data base is expected to serve as a readily downloadable reference for ONA visitors. Dr. Hailman’s collaboration with experts across Florida has resulted in an increased understanding of and appreciation for this remnant tract of imperiled Florida scrub, tropical hardwood hammock, and tidal mangrove swamp. The data he has generated will provide a basis for the future management of the site, and will be invaluable in the expansion of environmental education and public outreach efforts at the ONA. The value of Dr. Hailman’s work is estimated at $25,000 for 2013 alone, for a total of $150,000 over the past six years. It is noteworthy that not once in that term of BLM service has Dr. Hailman requested or accepted reimbursement for any expenses incurred during his volunteer work.

Read more about the Annual Making a Difference Volunteer Awards.