Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife Inc

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) 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.

Cape Coral, Florida, is home to the largest known population of the Florida burrowing owls - thousands of owls live here, many right in our residenital neighborhoods!  These adorable pint-size creatures are the only owl species that nest in the ground  Residents and visitors alike rejoice in watching these cuties peek their heads out of their burrows or perch nearby.  And the tiny chicks which emerge from nests in the spring are a sight to see!

(photo by Sienna Long)

Alarmingly, rapid development in Cape Coral is pushing local burrowing owls out of their nests and forcing them to look for habitat elsewhere.  In 2023, scores of burrowing owl nests have been destroyed due to residential and commercial development.  And dwindling open space is making it harder for owls to find safe place to burrow.  

CCFW, in conjunction with our sister organization Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, is raising funds to purchase empty lots to preserve as wildlife habitat for burrowing owls, endangered gopher tortoises and other fragile wildlife.  So far, 67 lots totaling more than 7 acres have been purchased or donated!  Most of these lots have owl nests, tortoise burrows or both!  (Did you know that gopher tortoises share their burrows with owls and many other creatures?)

We are setting a fundraising goal of $10,000 - which is about half of what is needed to purchase a single lot in Cape Coral.  Can you make a small donation?  Please help us secure habitat for the future of our wildlife!  Thank you!

                                                                   (photos by Michiale Schneider)