A Cape Coral nonprofit that is dedicated to protecting and conserving local wildlife will celebrate a major milestone next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is inviting the public to join in the celebration its 25th Anniversary at a special event highlighting the organization\u2019s history, achievements, and ongoing commitment to protecting local wildlife.<\/p>\n
The celebration will take place on April 24 at 10 a.m. outdoors at the Cape Coral Museum of History.<\/p>\n
Founded in 2001, CCFW has spent 25 years dedicated to preserving and enhancing habitats for protected wildlife species while educating the community about Cape Coral\u2019s unique natural resources. This commemorative event will feature reflections on the organization\u2019s beginnings, presentations from past leaders, and remarks from local dignitaries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so excited to reach this milestone of 25 years as a strong and growing organization,\u201d said Marlene Paulding, CCFW member and former historian. \u201cWe now have over 600 members and have made significant progress in supporting not only burrowing owls, but also other Southwest Florida wildlife, including gopher tortoises, manatees, butterflies, and purple martins. Soon, we will be adding ospreys to the list of species we support.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy all that our city has to offer. We are also proud to partner with the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust to help acquire and preserve land for burrowing owl and gopher tortoise habitat.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the open-to-the-public event, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about CCFW\u2019s accomplishments over the years and its vision for the future of wildlife conservation in Cape Coral. Light refreshments will be served and CCFW merchandise will be available for purchase.<\/p>\n
\u201cExpect to hear from members who started with the organization,\u201d Paulding said.\u00a0\u201cWe will also share some critical dates and milestones in the history of CCFW.\u00a0We will have our unique merchandise available for purchase and explain our goals for the future.\u00a0An exhibit of historical CCFW items will also be on display at the museum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dating back more than two decades, resident Carol Kiefer was instrumental in organizing a\u00a0 wildlife advocate group after conversing with city employee Sue Scott. Paulding said their main focus is on protecting habitat for the burrowing owls, educating the public, promoting starter burrows and mapping current burrows for future observation. \u00a0<\/p>\n
These ideas came to fruition in the spring of 2001.<\/p>\n
The first recorded CCFW meeting was at Jaycee Park on April 24, 2001.\u00a0From then, the next step was securing incorporation and IRS 501c(3) status to allow for fundraising. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Now a city staple, the\u00a0first Burrowing Owl Festival was held Feb 15, 2003, which allowed CCFW to educate the community\u00a0of the importance of this threatened species. Next year, CCFW will hold its 25th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival \u2013 Wildlife and Environmental Exhibition.\u00a0 \u201cOther important work that was done in the early days was to successfully advocate\u00a0for city ordinances to protect both the burrowing owl and gopher tortoise,\u201d Paulding said. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Cape Coral Wildlife Trust was formed in November 2017, dedicated to acquiring and preserving habitat\u00a0in Cape Coral.\u00a0 The first\u00a0annual \u201cGround Owl Day\u201d was held Feb. 2 , 2019, which is the organization\u2019s take on Groundhogs Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paulding said so much has changed throughout the years.\u00a0CCFW now has hundreds of members and its volunteers recorded more than 13,000 volunteer\u00a0hours in 2025 alone.<\/p>\n
The owl population has grown, just like CCFW, in no small part due to organization\u2019s conservation efforts in partnership with the city of Cape Coral, FWC and the community. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working hard to encourage our youth\u00a0and young adults to become involved,\u201d Paulding said.\u00a0\u201cTo that end, we held the first Wild About Wildlife event at the Cape Coral Library in 2025 for students,\u00a0in coordination with a local high school student who took it upon herself to reach out to CCFW.\u00a0Our young adults will be the future of this organization.\u201d<\/p>\n
CCFW is not only an advocate for burrowing owls, but gopher tortoise, purple martins, butterflies, manatee and more.\u00a0The Tom Allen Butterfly House at Rotary Park hosted more than 700 visitors just in the month of November. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd yet much remains the same,\u201d Paulding said. \u201cWe a welcoming all-volunteer organization made up of wonderful dedicated volunteers who care passionately about the wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, what does CCFW hopes the future holds?<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is that future generations will be able to enjoy the wildlife in Cape Coral,\u201d Paulding said.\u00a0\u201cStarter\u00a0burrows are critical for the burrowing owls to survive here, especially with continued growth and development in the city.\u00a0Acquisition of land for habitats is so important for gopher tortoise and burrowing owls.\u00a0We are working with FGCU scientists to pave the way for gopher tortoises to stay locally when displaced by development, instead of being relocated to the Panhandle. We are working on an initiative to significantly reduce the use of harmful rodenticide (rat poison) in the city, encouraging the use of effective, less harmful methods.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about CCFW, to donate, or to learn about membership and volunteer opportunities, please visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org<\/a> or call 239-980-2593.<\/p>\n The Cape Coral Museum of History is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/p>\n