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
A look back at Harriet the Eagle’s final, chaotic season in Southwest Florida
Originally published in the News-Pres, by Samantha NeelyFrom massive hurricanes to missing matriarchs, this season for the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam has been one for the books. The livestream has showcased the lives of longtime local icon, Harriet the Eagle, and her...
Cape Coral landscaper caught mowing over burrow
Cape Coral, Florida, is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, its population up nearly 98 percent to more than 204,000 since 2000. Construction is booming, a plus for the economy but disastrous for area wildlife—especially ground-nesting burrowing owls.
2023 Burrowing Owl Photo Contest
Adult CategoryFirst PlaceSecond PlaceThird PlaceT-Third PlaceAdult Honorable MentionYouth CategoryAwards
Rat poison could be killing burrowing owls in Cape Coral
Cape Coral, Florida, is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, its population up nearly 98 percent to more than 204,000 since 2000. Construction is booming, a plus for the economy but disastrous for area wildlife—especially ground-nesting burrowing owls.
Iconic SWFL butterfly species needs help recovering post-Ian
Originally published on WINK-TV, by Elizabeth BiroSightings of the zebra longwing, once the most prominent butterfly in Southwest Florida, have been spotty since Hurricane Ian. One group is working to bring it back. “Structurally, they’re built quite differently from...
Cape Coral homeowner volunteers making burrowing owl perches by the thousands
Cape Coral, Florida, is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, its population up nearly 98 percent to more than 204,000 since 2000. Construction is booming, a plus for the economy but disastrous for area wildlife—especially ground-nesting burrowing owls.
2023 Burrowing Owl Festival Memories
Thank You to All Burrowing Owl Festival Sponsors!
The Board of Directors of Cape Coral Wildlife, Inc. would like to recognize the following major sponsors of the 2023 Burrowing Owl Festival – Wildlife & Environmental Expo. If you are personally acquainted with a sponsor or business, please thank them when you get...
Paying Homage to the City Bird
A long-time tradition in the Cape paying homage and educating the public on Cape Coral’s official city bird takes place this weekend.
“CHARGING” – Nature of Cape Coral Bus Tour – Cape Coral Wildlife Trust’s Gopher Tortoise Preserve
Imagine having the rare opportunity to have this “CLOSE ENCOUNTER” happen to you! Thank you to Charles Wellhausen for sharing this amazing video!
Cape canals, wildlife disturbed in Ian debris cleanup
It has come to Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s attention that overzealous debris removal crews with huge excavators and tandem debris trucks are scraping the lots and the banks of canals across a wide swath of Cape Coral.
Burrowing owls defenders say heavy equipment for Hurricane Ian debris is crushing underground nests
The passionate defenders of Cape Coral’s burrowing owls are livid now that tractors are clearing debris from Hurricane Ian out of the city’s canals and possibly crushing dozens of owl and gopher tortoise burrows.