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 in the last year
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.
Join/Renew Membership
Help support wildlife in Cape Coral by becoming a member, or renewing your existing membership.
Donate to CCFW
Make a tax deductible donation to support Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and our mission to protect and educate.
Shop CCFW Merchandise
Get some unique apparel, wear your support for Cape Coral's wildlife and help further our mission by shopping CCFW merchandise.
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.
Make a Difference
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.
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.
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.
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
Cape Coral growth hurting burrowing owls
A growing population in Cape Coral may be hurting the threatened burrowing owl.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comission investigates disturbed burrowed owl nest
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is currently investigating after a resident in the area reported several burrowed owls were found dead on the property.
Cape Coral spends $200k protecting owl nests
The storm left the birds without a place to go back to, and many of them were injured. The owls are all over our community, and without a home, they’ll become scarce.
Burrowing Owl Festival on Fox 4 Morning Blend
Published on Fox 4 Morning BlendBeverly Saltonstall Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife 14th Annual Southwest Florida Burrowing Owl Festival February 27 10am to 4pm Rotary Park Environmental Center 5505 Rose Garden Road Cape Coral $5 Requested donation (239)...
Concerns over construction at burrowing owl nest
Published on Fox 4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVpniid3BMs
Have fun, learn about butterflies at Rotary Park
The storm left the birds without a place to go back to, and many of them were injured. The owls are all over our community, and without a home, they’ll become scarce.
Burrowing owl population might be declining in Cape
“By anecdotal observation, we’re not seeing as many burrowing owls now,” said Pascha Donaldson, spokeswoman for Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. “They’re losing habitat. My guess is the population is going down.”
City parks, nonprofit partner for nature bus tour
About a half a dozen times a year, Cape Coral residents and visitors get the remarkable opportunity to take a low-priced, guided eco-tourism tour to view protected, threatened and endangered wildlife species that make their homes within the city limits.
Burrowing Owls on Paradise TV
Burrowing Owls on Fox 4 Now, Paradise TV
Found in Translation: Avian lesson not just for the birds
This year marks a century since the passenger pigeon became extinct; an awful fact, indeed, but also an opportunity to reflect on the fragility of nature and change our ways.
Ever seen a pelagic bird?
Most people, even fisherman who spend a great deal of time in the open ocean, are unaware of these unique birds. Imagine a bird that rarely ever sets foot on land, only doing so for the brief nesting season!
Oasis High School Owl Project Video
The video was created by Melia Coughlin and Morgan Gilmartin. They are both 10th graders at Oasis High School and are in video production class of Vivian Theriault.