Skip to main content
File #: ID 25-4862    Version: 1 Name:
Type: City Council Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 10/29/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 11/17/2025 Final action:
Title: Safe Harbor Management Agreement - Owl Starter Burrows, Presentation by Brittany Piersma, Audubon of the Western Everglades
Attachments: 1. Starter Burrow Presentation
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
No records to display.

Agenda Item: 9(b)

Prepared By: Amber Stonik

Business:   Presentation

Department:  Growth Management

Subject:

Title

Safe Harbor Management Agreement - Owl Starter Burrows, Presentation by Brittany Piersma, Audubon of the Western Everglades

Body                     

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Florida Burrowing Owl Safe Harbor Management Agreement (Agreement), was established between the City of Marco Island, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Audubon of the Western Everglades in 2020.

 

This agreement offers property owners an opportunity to establish a Burrowing Owl artificial starter burrow on their property to attract Burrowing Owls and requires monitoring by the Owl Watch volunteer group. If the artificial starter burrow attracts owls and the owls dig the burrow to a specific depth and the burrow becomes potentially occupied, the City will award $250 to the property owner.

 

For the 2024/25, there have been 13 properties which had successful artificial starter burrows that have met the guidelines in the Agreement.

 

225 Sandhill

164 Richmond

332 Bald Eagle

354 Colonial

488 Fieldstone

1401 Galleon

1645 Rainbow

1501 Galleon

271 Lamplighter

657 Spinnaker

686 Pelican

1624 Rainbow

356 Bali

 

FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: N / A

 

 

RECOMMENDATION: N / A

 

 

POTENTIAL MOTION:  N / A