Creating a safer owl habitat

Concern for burrowing owls living in the unstable sand under the sidewalk outside Cooper City's Forest Lake Park recently prompted 80 volunteers to create six safe artificial nests.

Utilizing a $2,000 grant from the Captain Planet Foundation, students and parents from Griffin Elementary School, members of the South Florida Audubon Society's Project Perch program, Cooper City's Green Advisory Board and city staff teamed up for the project.

Volunteers dug into abandoned nests to create artificial nesting chambers and tunnels with PVC piping. White sand was spread at the entrance to attract owls. They surrounded the area with wooden fencing to protect the nests, and a sign was secured to the fence explaining what the owls eat, how they nest and their importance to the ecosystem.

"These were once active burrows, but sometimes they were in compromised areas," said Diana Guidry, chairwoman of the city's green board who works for NatureScape Broward. "The PVC doesn't collapse if a mower or a car goes over it. Hopefully, (the owls) choose these spots."

Residents expressed concern about the owls living underneath the sidewalk. Cars park in the swale, bicyclists, joggers and strollers use the sidewalk, and pesticides are sprayed along the concrete.

"We want to entice the owls to move where they'll be better protected," said city arborist Jeanette Wofford. "We want them to feel secure in their nests."

Kelly Heffernan, avian biologist and founder of Project Perch, which works to protect burrowing owls, was thrilled with the volunteer turnout.

"It's great when an event can draw this many volunteers," she said. " Almost all of our owls live in parks, schools or airports because it's the last green space."

Dawn Pitti wanted her son, kindergartner Aiden Pitti-Short, 6, to gain a greater sense of responsibility for the environment.

"He learned about (burrowing owls) at school," Pitti said. "Now when we come to this park, he'll see he was part of building the owls' habitats."

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Creating a safer owl habitat