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
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…
Good News! Federal Judge Rules Against 404 Permitting Moved to Florida Department of Environmental Protection
In 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency delegated federal wetlands permitting under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) over the objections of Audubon and most other environmental organizations. Several groups engaged EarthJustice to file a legal challenge.
Volunteer of the Month – February 2024
Gigi Yarusso Approximately eleven years ago, Gigi met a woman from Switzerland, Maija Gadient. Both shared the love of wildlife, especially the Florida manatee and the monarch butterfly. Six years ago, Gigi involved herself in raising money for a Manateeum (museum...
Expert Wildlife Speakers Announced for 2024 Burrowing Owl Festival
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) has announced the wildlife experts who will speak at the 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Wildlife and Environmental Expo on February 24, 2024.
Photographers Birding Bus Tour
As part of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife will be offering a Photographers Birding Bus Tour. Join Master Birders Eary and Jennifer Warren, and David and Tammy McQuade in an air-conditioned bus for this fascinating four-hour trip.
2024 Ground Owl Day
On February 2nd each year we celebrate our own unique take on Groundhog Day, gathering to find out if the burrowing owl will see its shadow and predict the end of winter.
Wildlife advocates say burrowing owls survived January flooding, but dying from rat poison
Given the break the birds received with the timing of January’s record rains, it’s unfortunate that human-related issues are once again threatening their survival.
NO HOOTS FOR GROUNDHOG DAY | How Cape Coral welcomed spring
On Friday, while most of the nation and the great people in Pennsylvania looked to Punxsutawney Phil, the City of Cape Coral asked the burrowing owl Athene how long they must wait till spring.
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.
Cape’s ‘Ground Owl Day’ set for Feb. 2
The burrowing owl takes center stage as the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department host the sixth annual “Ground Owl Day” on Friday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at Pelican Baseball Complex, in what is the city’s take on Groundhog Day.
Wildlife group seeks $900K state grant for burrowing owl habitats in Cape Coral
A local wildlife group is asking $900,000 in state grants to go towards preserving and establishing burrowing owl and gopher tortoise habitats in Cape Coral.