Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is gearing up for the 24th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival on February 28 at Rotary Park. It’s a day meant for everyone from wildlife lovers, conservation groups, and families, anyone who wants to learn more about the city’s official bird and the creatures that share its habitat.
The Wildlife and Environmental Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for all ages, though they ask for a $5 donation from anyone 12 and older. This year’s festival puts the spotlight on the burrowing owl, a symbol of Cape Coral, especially as the city keeps growing and changing.
Expect plenty to see and do. You’ll find live animal presentations from Adam’s Animal Adventures, guided bus tours through local neighborhoods to spot wildlife, and a Southwest Florida birding tour led by local experts. If you want a spot on the tours, grab your tickets early on the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife website.
Over 30 environmental and conservation groups will set up shop at the expo, offering displays, resources, and advice on how to protect Southwest Florida’s wildlife and habitats. Visitors can also walk through Rotary Park’s Butterfly House and listen in on talks from wildlife specialists and conservation speakers.
The festival isn’t just about learning; it’s fun too. Kids can get their faces painted, dive into arts and crafts, or check out the food vendors. There’s a silent auction as well, with proceeds helping fund land preservation for burrowing owls, gopher tortoises, and other local conservation efforts.
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife has kept this festival going for over twenty years. Their mission stays the same: teach the community, advocate for local wildlife, and protect the natural spaces that make Cape Coral unique, even as new development moves in.
If you can’t make it in person, you can still join the online auction, which runs through March 1. To find out more about the festival, tours, or auction, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.
