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.
To Report:
Burrowing Owls, Gopher Tortoises:
CCFW 239-980-2593
Injured Wildlife:
CROW 239-472-3644
Harassment of Wildlife:
FWC 888-404-3922
Cape Coral Code Enforcement:
239-574-0613
Rotary Park Wildlife Info:
239-549-4606
Monitor Lizards:
CC Environmental Resources 239-574-0785
CROW: 239 472-3644
Adopt A Burrowing Owl
Adopt Me! Psst… the others are afraid of heights!
CCFW launches the “Adopt A Cape Coral Burrowing Owl” program to raise money to preserve this endangered species that we share our neighborhoods with. Multiple Levels of sponsorship are available from $25 to $10,000. You can access and print the brochure explaining the program by clicking here
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/
Fox4 News July 14 2021, Burrowing owl nests being threatened by developments and natural causes
April 14, 2021 NBC2 Burrowing owlets rescued from flooded Cape Coral burrow
Febuary 16, 2021 NBC2 Nesting season underway for Cape Coral burrowing owls
February 7, 2021 - Cape Coral Breeze: Cape’s Ground Owl Day remembers burrowing owls — and their supporter https://www.capecoralbreeze.com/news/local-news/2021/02/02/capes-ground-owl-day-remembers-burrowing-owls-and-their-supporter/
February 7, 2021 - FOX4 News - Ground Owl will predict the weather for Southwest Florida
https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/ground-owl-will-predict-the-weather-for-southwest-florida
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
Check out our Member of the Month: Click here
The National Wildlife Federation has a great Native Plant Finder: Click Here
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is opposed to the proposed planned development of Piney Point. The plan involves the development of approximately 100 acres of the 350-acre property that lies south of Rotary Park. The plan includes 800 residential units, 38,000 square feet for commercial uses such as retail shops and restaurants, 300 hotel rooms and related parking, a marina on the Caloosahatchee River with 200 boat slips, and pedestrian and bike paths.
Piney Point is prime habitat to many wildlife species: coyotes, bobcats, rabbits, raccoons, panthers, and eagles, among a host of other birds. Manatees swim along the shore of the Caloosahatchee River as do endangered sawfish. Removal of mangroves would weaken the buffering capacity of the mangrove area which protects the city against storms. Furthermore, a development this size would have a significant impact on the city’s infrastructure: roads, utilities, fire services, and schools.
CCFW will keep its members informed of public hearings about development of Piney Point, and how they might contribute to its opposition.
Action needed- sign the petition.
Florida needs a Right to Clean Water Constitutional Amendment!
Sign the petition by clicking I will sign!
Here’s the link to the article in the Cape Coral Breeze: Right to Clean Water
Burrowing Owl Photo Contest
Sponsored by Kindness Animal Hospital and Hickory Hammock Native Plant Nursery
Grand Prize photo pictured above! Congratulations to Jessica Bunone.
Winners were announced on June 5th at at Rotary Park
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Robert Bonde, Manatee Researcher, was our guest speaker at our Monthly Meeting on May 11th. You can view the video on our YouTube channel. Click here!
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) Monthly Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 475 973 6642
Passcode: 925331
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife celebrated our 20th Anniversary at the Cape Coral Museum of History Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 10:00 am. We shared information on how the club began in 2001 and had key members from past years speak. Please visit our 20th Anniversary Celebration page for details and photos.
Cape Coral Wildlife Trust celebrates Gopher Tortoise Day on Saturday, April 10th
Photo from dedication ceremony at Paschas Preserve. celebrating Gopher Tortoise Day April 10. Paschas Preserve is located at 3735 Oasis Blvd just South of Oasis High School.
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
CCFW YouTube Channel
Learn about CCWT and other topics on our YouTube channel
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.