Burrowing Owl Photo Contest

Submit your best photo of Cape Coral’s iconic burrowing owls for a chance to win prizes and be featured on the 2026 official CCFW T-shirt!

Support our Mission

We are a volunteer organization with no paid positions. There are a number of ways you can support our mission, including becoming a member, donating and volunteering for events and operations.

23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival

The largest wildlife festival in Southwest Florida

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife

Our Mission

Dedicated to Protection, Preservation and Education

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is a volunteer organization whose purpose is to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources.

Founded in 2001, we now have approximately 500 members and an engaged group of  volunteers, board of directors and committees operating our unique events and programs.  | About Us

Volunteer hours this year

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Who to Contact

If you came here to report a wildlife or habitat issue, please start here.

Actions Speak Louder than Words!

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is a non-profit membership organization that relies on donations and fundraisers to help protect our wildlife in Cape Coral, Florida. All members are volunteers, with no paid positions.

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Join/Renew Membership

Help support wildlife in Cape Coral by becoming a member, or renewing your existing membership.

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Donate to CCFW

Make a tax deductible donation to support Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and our mission to protect and educate.

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Shop CCFW Merchandise

Get some unique apparel, wear your support for Cape Coral's wildlife and help further our mission by shopping CCFW merchandise.

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Adopt an Owl

Adopt a Cape Coral Burrowing Owl to help fund burrow maintenance activities and other programs.

What’s at Stake

The Florida burrowing owl and gopher tortoise are designated a threatened species by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The designation of Threatened is given to species whose prospects of survival are in jeopardy—in this case due largely to habitat loss.

Research has shown that gopher tortoise populations in Cape Coral represent a self-sustaining viable conservation unit that call for preservation of the natural and vacant lands they currently occupy.

The gopher tortoise is considered a “keystone species” with more than 350 other species using their burrows for shelter. If the tortoise burrows disappear, the ecosystem of wildlife that relies on them, will collapse.

Cape Coral Wildlife Needs Our Help

Our sister organization, the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust is rushing to acquire land for habitat preservation.

Make a Difference

burrow maintenance

Join the Burrow Maintenance Crew

Here is an important way to help working directly with wildlife. Supplied with City maps, weed wackers, safety equipment, and lots of enthusiasm this group of dedicated volunteers trim burrow with high weeds, install PVC pipes and perches on newly found burrows, repair and clean up existing burrows. They also have obtained GPS coordinates for every known burrow and submitted this information to the City of Cape Coral to be put in the City data base.

Starter Burrow

Dig a Starter Burrow

As Cape Coral grows, there will be less and less empty lots for the Burrowing Owls to call home, and loss of habitat is a primary reason why Burrowing Owl populations decline. Fortunately there is a solution to habitat loss that is working quite well.  Homeowners are being encouraged to put "starter" burrows on their front lawns.

Zebra Longwing

Visit the Butterfly House

The Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House is one of Cape Coral's top attractions and a labor of love for many CCFW volunteers.

public outreach

Request a Speaker

CCFW volunteers are available to speak to students and civic associations about protecting Cape Coral's wildlife and habitats.

In the News

Volunteer of the Month – April 2025

Volunteer of the Month – April 2025

Shirley Paine Congratulations to our Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife Volunteer of the Month – Shirley Paine! Shirley has been a dedicated member of our Wednesday maintenance crew for many years, consistently lending her time and energy to our mission. Alongside her...

23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Recap

23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Recap

The 23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival & Wildlife and Environmental Expo was an unforgettable celebration of Cape Coral’s iconic burrowing owls and the natural beauty of Southwest Florida! Held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, the event brought together wildlife...

Volunteer of the Month – February 2025

Volunteer of the Month – February 2025

Janet Windisch and Michele Mold The Volunteers of the Month for February were selected by our president, Judy Mitchell, and this month, we're proud to recognize two deserving individuals. During Tuesday’s meeting, Judy shared her gratitude for the entire board’s...

Volunteer of the Month – January 2025

Volunteer of the Month – January 2025

Gisela Waldinger Please congratulate Gisela Waldinger as our January Volunteer of the Month! Gisela has worked tirelessly as a reliable Friends of Wildlife volunteer for many years doing her part to protect burrowing owls and gopher tortoises and to maintain their...