Discover the Burrowing Owl Festival: A Celebration of Nature

The Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife and Environmental Exposition in Cape Coral Florida is an annual celebration that is a fun and educational activity for the whole family! It celebrates burrowing owls and their conservation. The festival includes educational activities, live music, art displays, food vendors, and more. Attendees can watch burrowing owl experts give presentations on burrowing owl natural history and ecology. Get up close with these burrow-dwelling owls and learn about burrow management, threats to burrowing owl populations, and ways to help protect burrowing owls in Southwest Florida and beyond.

The annual burrowing owl festival is sponsored by the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 10AM-4PM. The admission is a requested donation of $5 per person for those ages 12+.

Located at Rotary Park, on the corner of Pelican and El Dorado Blvds, this Cape Coral festival features many wild creatures that are native to the Cape Coral area including our beloved burrowing owl.

Learn about the unique species of Burrowing Owls

These owls are one of the most iconic species found in Cape Coral, Florida. Cape Coral is home to the largest population of burrowing owls in the world and they became Cape Coral's official city bird in 2005. This owl gets its name from making its nest in the ground and so it is protected, because in Southwest Florida, it is a threatened species of special concern.

At the festival, you'll get an up-close look at these special birds. Learn how these owls build their burrows and use them to hunt for food from a number of wildlife speakers excited to provide information and educate the public about other these small animals.

Participate in Conservation and Other Activities at the Burrowing Owl Festival

We saw lots of live animals including snakes, baby alligators, turtles, gopher tortoises, armadillos, lizards, and different birds.

There are crafts for the adults and craft projects for the kids, food, live music, and a butterfly house.

Sometimes, they have live burrowing owls at the festival, but if not, you can go on the 1-hour bus tour to see them in their natural habitat.

The bus tours start at 10:30 am and are an additional $5 per person. Sign up early for the tour, by 1PM the latest for the last tour at 2PM so you don't miss out!

There is a photographers bus tour that leaves at 7:30am and returns at 10:45am and costs $65 per person.

2023 Schedule of Speakers

10:30 am Topic: Gopher Tortoises
Speaker: Kyle Brown, Wildlife Assistance Biologist, FWC

12:00 pm Topic: Environment and Water Quality in Southwest Florida

Speakers: Robin Serne, Director of Engagement and Advancement, Calusa Waterkeepers and Joe Bonasia, Right to Clean and Healthy Waters

1:30 pm Topic: Burrowing Owls
Speaker: Biologist Nick Jennings, Burrowing Owl Research FWC

The festival is a great opportunity for burrowing owl enthusiasts and novice bird-watchers alike to connect with the burrowing owls of Cape Coral Florida. Come out and celebrate burrowing owls and help support burrowing owl conservation. The Burrowing Owl Festival of Cape Coral Florida is an event you won’t want to miss!

While you are there, plan a walk down one of the nature trails at Rotary Park. We love to take photographs and climb up the tower to see all of Cape Coral!

Drive further down Rose Gardens Blvd to the Rotary Park trail that leads to the Caloosahatchee, then grab lunch or a gelato at Marina Village Resort. The park also features a dog park and cactus garden.