Cape Coral Owl Lots
Undeveloped suburban lots that burrowing owls and gopher tortioses are colonizing.
The Story
In partnership with Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, Cape Coral, Friends of Wildlife and FWC, Big Waters is protecting individual residential lots that burrowing owls and gopher tortioses have independently colonized. The two volunteer groups have been monitioring owls in Cape Coral for years. They secured the funding in 2024 from FWC and partnered with the City to purchase the land. Big Waters provides the crucial piece of holding and monitoring the conservation easements on each lot. This new partnership is working well, each entity filling a specific niche.
Why it Matters
As more and more of SW Florida is developed, the very niche habitat necessary for burrowing owls and gopher tortioses--higher and dryer than much of coastal Florida--is rapidly disappearing. Curiously, these owls and tortoises gravitate towards empty lots in central Cape Coral. Luckily, a group of volunteers have been tracking them for years, found funding to purchase, and invited Big Waters to partner as the CE holder.
Big Waters Values
Imperiled Species
Just the Facts
1.4
Date Acquired
2025
Conservation easements acquired in 2025. Suburban lots with existing owls and tortioses. Owned by the Cape Coral.
