Environmental
City staff reviews site plans, development applications, and building permits for listed species impacts and coordinating with State and Federal wildlife agencies. We work with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWCC) and the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect and preserve listed species that includes: Endangered, Threatened, and Species of Special Concern. With the exception of the bald eagle, all permitting to listed species are handled by the FFWCC and the USFWS.
(Photo Courtesy of Mac Stone)
Links to more information:
- Interactive map of protected species locations in Cape Coral
- Gopher Tortoise Information
- Gopher Tortoise Brochure
- Burrowing Owl Information
- Bald Eagle Information
- Cape Coral Habitat Conservation Plan
- Mangrove Trimming/Permitting Information
- Cape Coral Environmental Survey Guidelines
More information about protected species
The City of Cape Coral adopted the Florida burrowing owl as the "Official City Bird" at the City Council meeting on September 6, 2005.
The Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) is the most encountered listed species in the City of Cape Coral with over 3,500 owl burrows. The Florida burrowing owl is a small, long-legged owl (averaging 9 inches in height) that lives in open areas with low vegetation, such as dry prairies, pastures, parks, agricultural fields, golf courses, airports and vacant lots. Burrowing owls dig burrows that they use for nesting and sheltering, though they also will use gopher tortoises or armadillo burrows, as well as some manmade structures. Burrowing owl burrow entrances are roughly circular or oblong and vary in size, typically 3.5 to 6 inches in diameter, often—but not always—with a mound of excavated soil at the entrance. During the breeding season, the entrance to the nesting burrow may contain adornments such as paper, shells, glass, pieces of plastic, animal fecal material, clumps of grass, animal parts, or other items.
The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a protected species “pursuant to Florida Statutes to §372.0725 and it is illegal to kill, harass, disturb or destroy Gopher Tortoises, their eggs or their burrows. The Gopher Tortoise is classified as a "threatened" species by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). The Gopher Tortoise’s burrow provides shelter for other commensal species such as the Gopher Frog and the Black Indigo Snake.
Links to more information:
The City of Cape Coral relies on its dedicated residents, workers, and visitors to report Gopher Tortoise issues to the City of Cape Coral. Protecting the Gopher Tortoise is a high priority for the community.
If you find or encounter any of the following situations:
In August of 2007, the Bald Eagle was delisted from its threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). However, Bald Eagles remain protected under the Federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In 2008, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWCC) adopted the Bald Eagle Management Plan that enlists the support of local governments in Bald Eagle conservation and management. The City of Cape Coral has provided assistance to FWC by monitoring the Eagle Management Zones throughout the City. In addition, the City has also adopted a local eagle protection ordinance that further protects, enhances, and preserves the nest of the Bald Eagle and its immediate environment.
The Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) weighs 8-10 pounds with a wingspan of 6-7 feet. Females are larger than males, as with most raptors. The head and tails of adult eagles are white and their bodies are dark brown. Their eyes, feet and bill are yellow. Juveniles do not yet have the white head and tail, and are brown with scattered white feathers.
Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, preying occasionally on small mammals and carrion. Eagles have been seen feeding on roadside kill alongside vultures. Bald eagle nesting season in Florida runs from October 1st until the eaglets fledge, which is typically around May 15th of the following year. Eagles mate for life and use the same nest year after year, if available. In Florida, the eagles who migrate usually return in late September or early October. Cape Coral’s Bald Eagles have been seen in their nest territory during summer as well.
Mature females lay one to three eggs between late November and early January. The young eaglets hatch 32-34 days later and leave the nest in 11-12 weeks, usually by mid-May. The young birds fly northward as far as Canada and return by adulthood at 4-5 years of age. Eagles mate and initiate breeding in the vicinity where they hatched.
The City of Cape Coral relies on its dedicated residents, workers, and visitors to report Bald Eagle issues to the City of Cape Coral. Protecting the Bald Eagle is a high priority for the community.
If you find or encounter any of the following situations:
The Eagle Watch Program provides an opportunity for the public to become involved and educate themselves about the nesting habits of the Bald Eagle while assisting the City and State in collecting valuable data. The Eagle Watch Program also reduces staff time spent for monitoring and documenting eagle behavior. City staff will continue to monitor and inspect nesting sites throughout the duration of the Bald Eagle nesting season, but will have supplemental data provided through the Eagle Watch Program.
The City of Cape Coral’s new Eagle Watch Program started during the 2011-2012 nesting season to augment the current eagle monitoring practices. Approximately 25 volunteers attended the initial meeting and received a brief training lesson on the nesting behaviors that Bald Eagles exhibit during the nesting season. The volunteer group assists in monitoring and documenting the behavior of Bald Eagles throughout nesting season, which officially runs from October 1 to May 15 or until the eagles fledge.
Questions about the Eagle Watch Program planning@capecoral.gov
Florida Burrowing Owl Information
 Photo Courtesy of Dan Tudor |
The City of Cape Coral adopted the Florida burrowing owl as the "Official City Bird" at the City Council meeting on September 6, 2005.
The Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) is the most encountered listed species in the City of Cape Coral with over 3,500 owl burrows. The Florida burrowing owl is a small, long-legged owl (averaging 9 inches in height) that lives in open areas with low vegetation, such as dry prairies, pastures, parks, agricultural fields, golf courses, airports and vacant lots. Burrowing owls dig burrows that they use for nesting and sheltering, though they also will use gopher tortoises or armadillo burrows, as well as some manmade structures. Burrowing owl burrow entrances are roughly circular or oblong and vary in size, typically 3.5 to 6 inches in diameter, often—but not always—with a mound of excavated soil at the entrance. During the breeding season, the entrance to the nesting burrow may contain adornments such as paper, shells, glass, pieces of plastic, animal fecal material, clumps of grass, animal parts, or other items.
Links to more information:
- Florida Burrowing Owl: Frequently Asked Questions
- Burrowing Owl Protection, City Ordinance 20-19
- Florida Burrowing Owl Incidental Take Permit Information
- City of Cape Coral’s Burrowing Owl Building Permit Procedures
- Burrowing Owl/Gopher Tortoise Affidavit
- Molesting, harassing, or killing owls and/or damaging, filling, or destroying owl burrows is a crime. Please report the violations to FWC’s 24 hour hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
- Injured or wounded owls please immediately call the Clinic Rehab of Wildlife (CROW) 239-472- 3644.
- Report new Burrowing Owl nest locations to planning@capecoral.gov
 Photo Courtesy of Phil Avram |
Links to more information:
- Gopher Tortoise Building Permit Procedures
- Gopher Tortoise Protection, City Ordinance 20-19
- Gopher Tortoise Permits
- Before You Build Brochure
- Living with Gopher Tortoises Brochure
- Burrowing Owl/Gopher Tortoise Affidavit
How Can I Help Protect the Gopher Tortoise?
The City of Cape Coral relies on its dedicated residents, workers, and visitors to report Gopher Tortoise issues to the City of Cape Coral. Protecting the Gopher Tortoise is a high priority for the community.
If you find or encounter any of the following situations:
- Molesting, harassing, or killing tortoises and/or damaging, filling, or destroying tortoises burrows is a crime. Please report the violations to FWC’s 24 hour hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
- Injured or wounded tortoises please immediately call the Clinic Rehab of Wildlife (CROW) at 239-472-3644.
- Report new gopher tortoise locations to planning@capecoral.gov
 Photo Courtesy of John McConnell |
Links to more information:
- Eagle Watch Program
- Eagle Affidavit
- Bald Eagle Brochure
- Bald Eagle Permitting Information
- City of Cape Coral’s Bald Eagle Ordinance
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Species Action Plan for the Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle Information
The Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) weighs 8-10 pounds with a wingspan of 6-7 feet. Females are larger than males, as with most raptors. The head and tails of adult eagles are white and their bodies are dark brown. Their eyes, feet and bill are yellow. Juveniles do not yet have the white head and tail, and are brown with scattered white feathers.
Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, preying occasionally on small mammals and carrion. Eagles have been seen feeding on roadside kill alongside vultures. Bald eagle nesting season in Florida runs from October 1st until the eaglets fledge, which is typically around May 15th of the following year. Eagles mate for life and use the same nest year after year, if available. In Florida, the eagles who migrate usually return in late September or early October. Cape Coral’s Bald Eagles have been seen in their nest territory during summer as well.
Mature females lay one to three eggs between late November and early January. The young eaglets hatch 32-34 days later and leave the nest in 11-12 weeks, usually by mid-May. The young birds fly northward as far as Canada and return by adulthood at 4-5 years of age. Eagles mate and initiate breeding in the vicinity where they hatched.
How Can I Help Protect the Bald Eagle?
The City of Cape Coral relies on its dedicated residents, workers, and visitors to report Bald Eagle issues to the City of Cape Coral. Protecting the Bald Eagle is a high priority for the community.
If you find or encounter any of the following situations:
- Molesting, harassing, or killing Bald Eagles and/or damaging or destroying a Bald Eagles nest or nesting tree is a crime. Please report the violations to the City of Cape Coral at 239-574-0776 and FWC’s 24 hour hotline at 1-888-404-3922
- Injured or wounded Bald Eagles please immediately call the Clinic Rehab of Wildlife (CROW) at 239-472-3644 or the City of Cape Coral at 239-574-0587.
- New Bald Eagle nests please report to the City of Cape Coral at planning@capecoral.gov
- Join the Bald Eagle Watch Program at planning@capecoral.gov
 Photo Courtesy of John McConnell |
The City of Cape Coral’s new Eagle Watch Program started during the 2011-2012 nesting season to augment the current eagle monitoring practices. Approximately 25 volunteers attended the initial meeting and received a brief training lesson on the nesting behaviors that Bald Eagles exhibit during the nesting season. The volunteer group assists in monitoring and documenting the behavior of Bald Eagles throughout nesting season, which officially runs from October 1 to May 15 or until the eagles fledge.
Questions about the Eagle Watch Program planning@capecoral.gov