Mission Statement
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.
Mission Statement 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.

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 due in part to commercial and residential development.
Did you know that the City of Cape Coral has Burrowing Owl and Gopher Tortoise protection ordinances? Those who intentionally harass or harm the burrowing owls/ gopher tortoises or collapse their burrows will be subject to penalties ranging from a $500 fine to 60 days in jail.
Link to City Code:
https://librarystage.municode.com/fl/cape_coral/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH23PRSP
Research by Dr. John Herman of Florida Gulf Coast University demonstrated that “the urban gopher tortoise populations in Cape Coral represent a self-sustaining viable conservation unit.” For this reason, Professor Herman “fully supports and encourages the establishment of a land trust of current vacant lots…for the conservation of gopher tortoises specifically and wildlife in general.”
In fact, more than 350 other species – burrowing owls, coyotes, snakes, foxes, mice and more use tortoise burrows to seek shelter and escape heat, fires, and predators. The gopher tortoise is considered a “keystone species.” Conservation Biologist Rachel King of Florida Fish & Wildlife further explained “If they disappear from the environment, the ecosystem will collapse on itself.”
Find out more about Cape Coral Wildlife Trust by visiting here: https://capecoralwildlifetrust.org/
To Report:
Burrowing Owls, Gopher Tortoises: CCFW 239-980-2593
Injured Wildlife: CROW 239-4723644
Harassment of Wildlife: FWC 888-404-3922
Rotary Park Wildlife Info: 239-549-4606
Monitor Lizards: CC Environmental Resources 239-574-0785
CCFW General Meetings will be live-streamed on ZOOM until further notice. You will be sent an email with the link to the Zoom meeting
Check out our CCFW YouTube Channel. We have many original and informative short videos with links to news articles. Click Here for YouTube

CCFW's sister organization, Cape Coral Wildlife Trust was formed in 2017 to acquire land for habitat preservation, education, and research, of Cape Coral's indigenous wildlife. As of Sept. 1, 2020, CCWT owns 23 lots where gopher tortoises and burrowing owls live and is actively seeking many more lots.
For information about CCWT and how you can help us acquire and preserve land for wildlife, go to: capecoralwildlifetrust.org
Volunteer Opportunity
Every week on Wednesday mornings, weather permitting, Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife members performs maintenance on some of the nearly 2200 Burrowing Owl burrows located in the City. Armed 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.
In the News

January 22, 2021 - Cape Coral Breeze: Mayor Joe Coviello was a Wildlife Supporter
1. Cape Coral Breeze: Saving SW Florida One... guest editorial Oct. 2019
2. News Press: "On a Mission" CCWT finds homes for gopher tortoises and burrowing owls March 2018
3. CC Breeze: Much done, much more to do...Carl - guest opinion April 2019
4. NBC-2 - Cape Coral could get a park...gopher tortoises April 2019
5. News Press - CC Designate land...May 1, 2019
6. Fox 4 CC considers preserving wildlife...May 3, 2019
7. NBC-2 City gopher tortoise ordinance June 9, 2019
https://www.nbc-2.com/story/40616662/gopher-tortoises-could-soon-receive-protections-under-law
8. CC Breeze Trust Cuts Ribbon Feb. 13, 2018