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 Friends of Wildlife could purchase your property for the city’s official bird
The grant the city will use to purchase more properties for burrowing owls was supposed to be approved at Wednesday’s city council meeting, but Cheryl Anderson said it wasn’t.
CCFW Advocates for SW Florida’s Wildlife on Earth Day
CCFW volunteers spread out across SW Florida today to celebrate Earth Day! Our members promoted the importance of Cape Coral’s precious wildlife at Ding Darling Days at Lakes Park, Babcock Ranch and right at home at Rotary Park.
Gopher Tortoise Day: SWFL celebrates threatened reptile’s big day
One of Southwest Florida’s most beloved reptiles is finally getting celebrated the way it always deserved to be. Gopher Tortoise Day is April 10, with the goal of raising awareness for the threatened species.
Gopher Tortoise Day April 10, 2024
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) wants the community to be aware that Lee County has joined with many municipalities in officially proclaiming April 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day. The purpose of Gopher Tortoise Day is to to raise awareness of this threatened species and conservation efforts to protect them.
Heavy rain threatens burrowing owl homes in Cape Coral
Burrowing owls in Cape Coral are threatened as heavy rain puts their homes in danger. Cheryl Anderson, who is on the board of directors for the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, says, “That’s why we want your help now.”
2024 Burrowing Owl Festival Recap
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all that made the 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Wildlife and Environmental Expo on February 24, 2024 a resounding success. The event celebrated the city’s official bird,...
CCFW Members and Future Forestry Collaborate in Planting Trees
CCFW members Mark Thurmond, Lori Haus-Bulcock and Vince Windisch joined the Future Forestry tree-planting event on March 9, 2024. Future Forestry Director Russ Ringland generously donated ten Sycamore trees to CCFW, which we planted to honor the 2023 Burrowing Owl...
2024 Burrowing Owl Photo Contest
Join CCFW’s 2024 Burrowing Owl Photo Contest! Snap a photo, win prizes, and be featured on the next festival T-shirt. Registration opens April 10th.
Early birds: Burrowing owl nesting season reaches its peak
The burrowing owl nesting season is hitting its peak, just in time for some public celebrations centered around Cape Coral’s official bird. More than 3,000 of these pint-sized birds can be found in the city, and…
Cape ground owl sees her shadow
It has been an unusually cool winter here in Southwest Florida. And it may continue to be cool for some time to come. That is what Athene, the city’s official burrowing owl, told NBC2 meteorologist Rob Duns on Friday as…
2024 Cape Coral Pride Parade
View photos from our participation in the 2024 Pride Parade in downtown Cape Coral on March 2nd.
‘HOO’ WANTS TO SELL? The City of Cape Coral could purchase your property for Burrowing Owls
On Tuesday, Janet Windisch, Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife said the City of Cape Coral could be the first city to receive the Florida Fish and Wildlife’s (FWC) Burrowing Owl Protection Grant. The grant would allow the City of Cape Coral to purchase vacant properties and turn them into homes for the owls. “This money is coming from…