Cape Coral has more burrowing owls than anywhere else in Florida, and the empty lots they depend on are disappearing fast. We sit down with Janet Windisch from Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife to hear how a retired chemist turned a love of birding into hands-on wildlife conservation after Hurricane Ian, and why this all-volunteer organization has become a quiet force for habitat preservation in Southwest Florida.

We dig into the real work behind protecting native species: staking and trimming burrowing owl burrows so they are not destroyed by mowing or construction, responding to community calls through a wildlife hotline, and supporting other critical animals like gopher tortoises, a keystone species whose burrows help hundreds of others survive. Janet also shares how the group maintains purple martin colonies, operates a public butterfly house, and helped rebuild the zebra longwing population after the hurricane. You’ll also hear about new monitoring efforts for ospreys, wading birds, and bald eagles that blend citizen science with local stewardship.

If you’ve ever wondered what you can do as a homeowner, we get specific: skip rat poison to prevent secondary poisoning in owls, hawks, and eagles, cut back on fertilizers and insecticides, and plant native Florida landscaping that supports pollinators and wildlife. Janet explains fundraising efforts like the Burrowing Owl Festival and the Adopt an Owl program, plus flexible volunteering opportunities for every schedule. Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review to help more people find the local nonprofits protecting our community.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife
Janet Windisch
239-980-2593
PO Box 152761 Cape Coral, FL 33915
ccfriendsofwildlife.org
To Report:

Burrowing Owls, Gopher Tortoises
CCFW: 239-980-2593

Injured Wildlife
CROW: 239-472-3644

Harassment of Wildlife
FWC: 888-404-3922

Rotary Park Wildlife Info
239-549-4606

Monitor Lizards
CC Environmental Dept: 239-574-0785

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

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