Cape Coral staff found that the city’s famed burrowing owl population is increasing, with the number of burrows growing at an estimated rate of 15% annually. That has led to an increase in costs for the city’s efforts to care for the owls through its Burrowing Owls Nest Protection Program launched in 2016 in response to environmental stakeholders.
City Council on March 4 authorized an increase in the annual contract with CBI Inc. from $165,180 to $350,000 for its services that help protect the city’s burrowing owl population.
That includes trimming and staking burrows located on vacant lots or medians that are part of the city’s lot mowing program. The contract amount, which is contingent upon annual appropriations, is set to last through Sept. 25, 2028.