Great News!! Burrowing Owl Grant on City Consent Agenda
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Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) has great news! The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Owl Habitat Protection Grant to the City of Cape Coral is on the consent agenda for approval at the City Council meeting Wednesday July 17. The grant is the first of its kind and will provide up to $900,000 for purchase of land in Cape Coral for burrowing owl habitat.
Please join CCFW at the council meeting to witness and celebrate this momentous accomplishment for the wildlife of Cape Coral!
CCFW volunteers have been hard at work advocating for this grant for three long years, and we are finally approaching the finish line! The funds derive from mitigation fees paid to FWC when property owners and builders obtain incidental take permits to remove owl burrows from their land. These mitigation fees are intended to compensate for the ensuing loss of burrowing owl habitat. Therefore, it is very gratifying that the funds will be used to purchase land right here in Cape Coral, where the majority of permits for burrow destruction are issued. Individual lots with existing owl burrows will be purchased and owned by the city using this grant funding. CCFW will provide maintenance, monitoring and reporting of each site.
This grant presents a wonderful opportunity to preserve habitat for wildlife in our city, and augments the more than 70 lots acquired by CCFW’s sister organization Cape Coral Wildlife Trust (CCWT). Please join us at the City Council meeting to celebrate approval of the grant and express to the council members and the Mayor our thanks and our support of the owls and wildlife conservation in Cape Coral. If you have a CCFW t-shirt please wear it to the meeting. The meeting is at City Council Chambers on July 17, 2024 at 4:30 PM.
Directly after the vote, CCFW and CCWT invite the public to join a celebration at Maria's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant at 1224 SE 46th Lane in Cape Coral. Once the council approves the grant, we will gather to cheer the victory for the wildlife. We’ll also commemorate the acquisition of over 70 lots in Cape Coral by CCWT for burrowing owls, gopher tortoises and other wildlife, obtained through the hard work of our volunteers, generous donors and the public.
Even if you don’t attend the council meeting, we encourage everyone to join us at Maria’s Pizzeria from 5:30 – 8 PM, Wednesday July 17. Maria’s Pizzeria will donate a portion of the proceeds to CCFW if you mention CCFW when you order.
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources. If you are interested in donating to support Cape Coral’s wildlife, becoming a member, or volunteering, please visit our website ccfriendsofwildlife.org or call 239 980-2593.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Burrowing Owl Habitat Grant Update
Cape looks toward grant money for lot acquisition to protect city’s burrowing owls (1/19/2024)
Where it All Began
Ribbon Cutting for FIRST Land Donation (December 2021)
Tattoo Parlor Raises Thousands for Gopher Tortoise Lot Purchase
Photos of Florida’s Fight to Protect Threatened Burrowing Owls (October 2023)
Burrowing owl nests being threatened by developments, natural causes (September 2021)
'HOO' WANTS TO SELL? The City of Cape Coral could purchase your property for Burrowing Owls (2/27/20
Preserving Land for Gopher Tortoises
$45,000 needed to protect wildlife habitat!
DONATE NOW via GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cape-coral-wildlife-trust-needs-help-fast
Gopher tortoises are a keystone species of Southwest Florida, especially Cape Coral. Their (homes) burrows are critically endangered from all the new construction that is taking over. They are gentle creatures, and are adorable hatchlings.
If vacant lots are protected for their survival, nature's wildlife can be a bit protected from us humans! In addition, open protected landscapes will add to the beauty in Cape Coral. It's a Win-Win opportunity for residents, and the whole neighborhood!