Home 5 Events & Programs 5 23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival

23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival

The Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife & Environmental Expo is designed to educate people about burrowing owls, wildlife, and environmental concerns in Southwest Florida.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

10:00AM – 4:00PM

Join Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) for a fun-filled day as we celebrate the 23rd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife and Environmental Expo, a community event dedicated to Cape Coral’s iconic bird—the burrowing owl! This exciting festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers, families, and everyone who cares about preserving our natural world.

Enjoy live animal exhibits, guided wildlife tours, unique vendors, children’s activities, food and beverages, and a silent auction as you explore the beauty and importance of Cape Coral’s wildlife and environment.

A $5 suggested donation for ages 12 and up supports vital conservation efforts, ensuring the continued preservation of these treasured species and their habitats.

What to Expect:
Live Animals & Wildlife Encounters: Meet fascinating creatures with Adam’s Animal Adventures, bringing wildlife education right to you!
Local Wildlife Tours: Hop on a bus tour to see burrowing owls and other wildlife living right here in Cape Coral.
Photography Bus Tour: Capture stunning wildlife photos with leading experts guiding you to the best spots. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Get Tickets

Rotary Park Butterfly House Tour: Explore the beautiful butterfly sanctuary at Rotary Park.
Learning Adventures Bus: For the first time ever, the Conservancy of SW Florida brings their mobile classroom, packed with hands-on science exhibits that bring the wonders of nature to life.
Wildlife & Conservation Expo: Over 30 local organizations will showcase their work to protect our environment and wildlife.
Speakers: A series of talks from leading wildlife and conservation experts, covering topics relevant to the region’s wildlife and natural environment.

Family Fun:
Arts & Crafts Vendors: Browse unique, handmade creations from local artisans.
Silent Auction: Bid on one-of-a-kind items with proceeds supporting wildlife preservation.
Wildlife Merchandise: T-shirts, jewelry, hats, and more, featuring adorable burrowing owls and other wildlife, will be available for sale.
Food & Beverages: Enjoy delicious food and local treats.
Kids’ Activities: Face painting and fun activities for children of all ages.

Rotary Park Environmental Center
5505 Rose Garden Rd.
Cape Coral, FL 33914
239-549-4606

Rotary Park Environmental Center

Support Wildlife Through Our Online Auction
Our Online Auction offers hundreds of unique items from businesses and organizations across the United States. Every bid contributes to the preservation of burrowing owls and their habitats while supporting wildlife conservation and environmental education.

Participate in the auction today and make a lasting impact—even if you can’t attend the festival in person!

Online Auction

Get Involved Today!

Thumbnail for the 2025 Burrowing Owl Festival Flier

2025 Official Flyer

2025 donation request BOF

2025 Donation Form

A sponsorship form for the 2025 Burrowing Owl Festival

2025 Sponsorship Form

Wildlife Speakers

All lectures will take place in the Rotary Park Environment Center during the Burrowing Owl Festival.

Adam Brame

Adam Brame

Recovery Coordinator for the Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish and the Threatened Oceanic Whitetip Shark, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Department of Commerce
Adam will discuss the conservation efforts surrounding the Smalltooth Sawfish, an endangered species, and other at-risk marine animals in our waters.

10:30AM

Joseph Bonasia

Joseph Bonasia

Chair, Florida Rights of Nature Network & Operations and Communications Director, FloridaRightToCleanWater.org
Joseph will highlight the deteriorating quality of local waterways and the crucial role clean water plays in preserving our community, wildlife, and environment.

12:00PM

Alligator Adam

Alligator Adam Pottruck

Wildlife Biologist, Adam’s Animal Encounters & Board Member, Adam’s Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
Adam will provide insights on American Alligator and their keystone role in the function of healthy ecosystems in Southwest Florida.

1:30PM

Sponsors:

7-cities-law logo
Ascendium Education Logo
Adams Animal Encounters Logo
Cape Coral Breeze Logo
cape-coral-wildlife-trust-logo

Carl Veaux

Charlotte Taft and Shelley Oram

Coastal & Heartland Logo
The Caloosahatchee Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Logo

Ed and Pascha Donaldson

Gary Clements

Henderson Franklin Logo
iva-environmental-logo
jasons deli logo

Judy and Gary Mitchell

Michiale Schneider Logo

Michele Haus-Karahan

Michele Mold

Patty Guard and William Barrett

Raso Realty Gloria Tate
Rob_Hurth_Photography_Logo
Rotary Club of Cape Coral Logo
Sampaio Dental Logo
SCCF Logo
Sellstate Realty Kelly Glass Logo

Solange Wiest

Target Logo

The Hagaman Trust

trebing logo
Turell Hall Logo

Grants:

Nora Roberts Foundation Logo
sams club logo

Donors:

Fight Corps Stacked Logo
Casa De Manana Properties Logo
Total Wine Logo
PRP Wine International Logo
Susan Oliver Photography Logo
zaks jewelry logo

2 Owl Publishing LLC

3 Daughters Brewery – St. Pete

30 Fathoms Door Mats

Abuelos Mexican Restaurant

Adrienne Arsht
Center for Performing Arts

Aerospace Center of Excellence

All Native Landscaping

Amy Tan – Author

Art by Judy

Babcock Ranch Eco Tours

Banana Bay Tour Company

Barbara B. Mann

Barkbox

Beth Ferry

Best Coast Massage

Beverly Saltonstall

Big Cat Habitat

Boca Raton Museum of Art

Brevard Zoo

Brew Bus

Brundolph Rods

Brunos of Brooklyn

Butterfly World

C Mark Auto Repair

Cantina Laredo

Cape Coral Kayak

Cape Yoga and Pilates

Captain Parker’s Pub

Captiva Cruises

Carl Safina – Author

Carol Miller

Ceno Grille

Center for Natural Healing

Charlie Ewell

Chick-fil-A

Cierto Tequila

Color Room Hair Salon

Conchy Joe’s Seafood

Conservancy of SW Florida

Cooper’s Hawk

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cotton Carrier

Court Whelan
Author

Clyde Butcher Gallery
Crayola Experience
CROW

Dan Carney

Danny Yates Landscaping

Denise Kassab

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House

Dolphin Key Resort and Tiki Bar

Duffy’s Sports Bar

East Fork

Ed Saternus

Ellen Richards

Escondido Lounge

Evan Griffith – Author

Finz

FJ’s New Furniture

Flamingo Gardens

Florida Aquarium

Florida Everblades

Florida Repertory Theatre

Foxtail Coffee
Frost Science Museum

Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels

Gardens for Wildlife
National Wildlife Foundation

Glazers Children’s Museum

Golf Safari Mini Golf

Gorjana

Great Explorations
Grillsmiths Restaurant
Lakeland

Grimaldis

Grounds and Hounds Coffee

Gulfshore Opera

Harry Phillips

Herkimer Diamonds

High Tide Social

Honey Bee Sweet Apiary

Honey Phillips

Hooked Island Grill

Iguanaland
Punta Gorda

Intrepid Museum
New York

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Jet’s Pizza

Joel Sartore Photography

Judith Nickerson

Jungle Bird Tiki

K1 Sports

Kate Murphy

Keel Farm
Kearns Restaurant Group

Key West Express

LaDora Sims
Photographer

Laura Black

Leeann LeDoyen

Lee County

Linda McQuinn
Art Studios

Linda and Hollis Nash

Lion Country Safari

Lisa Halloway
Artist

Lisa Halloway
Island Visions Gallery

Lobster Lady
LYNQ

Maddie’s Artisanal Bakery

Maine Salty Girl

Manatee Kayaking

Manthey Hospitality Group

Marlene Paulding

Mary’s Gems

Matt Zuro Photography

Mel’s Diner

Mertailors Mermaid Show

Mia Geudtner
Artist

Michele Mold

Mister Car Wash
Museum of Discovery and Science

Mutts.com

Myakka Elephant Ranch

Naples Botanical Garden

Naples Zoo

Nascar Hall of Fame

Natives of Corkscrew

Neverminds

Noella Chocolate

Noreen O’Rafferty
Center of Natural Healing

Norman Wei

Opera Naples

Opera Orlando

Orlando Family Stage
Orlando Museum of Art

Orlando Science Center

Oyster Rock Hospitality

Paint and Sip

Palmetto Pine Country Club

Patricia Banchard

Peace River Botanical Gardens

Penzey’s Spices

Pepper Street Studio

Pinchers

Pipe it Up

Pomegranite Inc

Prawnbroker

Prime 239

ProFiles Nail Salon

Putting Edge
Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf

Puzzle Warehouse

Reencle

Rib City

Sage on 47th

Salty Sams

Sampaio Dental

Sharon Field

Snowy Owl Coffee
St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Stacy Yip

Steve Timcak

Stones Throw Restaurant

Stringers Tavern and Oyster Bar

Sunken Gardens
St. Petersburg

Sunshine Boutique

Susan Gardner –
Island Visions Gallery

Susan Levine – Author

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Rentals

The Adventure Park at
Virginia Aquarium

The Birdhouse Chick

The Children’s Museum
of the Treasure Coast

The Chart Room Bourne, MA

The Chart Room Bourne, MA

The Lobster Trap
Bourne, MA
The Veranda
Tijuana Flats

Toni Westland

Tree Hill Nature Center

Tropical Breeze

Tropical Breeze

University Grill

Very Special Games

Victoria Hawkins Art

Vince McGrath

Vortex Optical

Westin At Marina Village

Wild Feather Gallery

Wise Owl Outfitters

Wondercide

Wonderworks Orlando
Zoo Miami

ZooTampa