Canalwatch & Volunteer Opps

Environmental Resources has opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer their time and effort toward environmental improvement projects.  From participating in the City’s popular Canalwatch Volunteer Program to completing impactful Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Projects, we appreciate everyone who has helped to make a positive difference in the community. See below for details on the Canalwatch Program, scouting project ideas, and to learn about some of the environmental projects that have been successfully implemented over the years.

• Canalwatch Volunteer Program
• Group/Scout Project Ideas
• Eagle Scout - Completed Projects
• Girl Scout Gold - Completed Projects

Canalwatch Volunteer Program
The Cape Coral Canalwatch Volunteer program is a proactive component of the City's canal management effort. Program goals are to educate local homeowners about water quality issues, open communication between citizens and water managers, and increase residents' sense of ownership of our common resources.

Each month, volunteers collect environmental data and water samples throughout our City. The samples and data are then brought to Cape Coral's water quality laboratory for analysis. This volunteer monitoring process provides information about canal dynamics throughout the City, enabling better management of our waters. We always welcome new volunteers! If you're interested, please call Harry at 574-0785.

Project Ideas
If you are looking for ideas for a group or scout project, please check out the list below. These projects will be updated as new ones are added or listed ones are completed. Contact Honey Phillips at Rotary Park (549-4606 or 549-4752) for more information.

• Build and install descriptive trail markers (similar to the ones done by Patrick Duggan at Eco Preserve) along the nature trail at Rotary Park.

• Plant indigenous trees/shrubs at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve. Specifically, in the area from the Iwo Jima Monument toward the river.

• Re-build, repair and/or replace the benches and signs at the kayak shack at Eco Preserve.

• Build and install an information kiosk at the playground at Rotary Park.

• Create a permanent, interesting, educational display at the visitor center at Eco Preserve. ** in the works **

• Build/install a bird-watching platform at Yellow Fever Creek Preserve.

• Tree ID map for the City of Cape Coral; locations of Champion trees.

• Tree/shrub ID signs for city parks (to include plant uses & wildlife uses)

• Brochures/guide map showing the location of plants/trees in city parks.

• Bike/foot path map with locations of parks.

• Plot & create a loop trail from the main part of Rotary Park towards Glover Bight.

• Beehive demonstration installed at Rotary Park (with help from Beekeepers Association).

• Plot & create a primitive campsite off of Alligator Creek at Eco Preserve.

• Build new kayak racks for Eco Park.

• Build and install benches and signage for Sirenia Vista Park.

A big thank you goes out to all the individuals who have donated their time and talent to implement environmental projects for the City of Cape Coral. See the list below for more details and click on links to see project images.


Boy Scout Eagle Projects

Brian Reed constructed a pedestrian/equestrian foot-bridge over Yellow Fever Creek at Yellow Fever Creek Preserve (Major Park), 2016.

Ian Sanders mapped kayak trails, with an identification sign and brochures at Sirenia Vista Park, 2015. 

Benjamin Allen built benches at Four Mile Cove Ecological Park, 2015.

Jacob Ryan marked a trail with QR codes at Rotary Park, 2015.

Matthew Signorelli built and installed an information kiosk with numbered locations at the Glover Bight Trail , 2014.

Dexter Moore designed and installed a misting system for the plants and butterflies in the Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House at Rotary Park, 2013.

Vito Spinella moved an existing bird blind and built an elevated deck for a bird blind, 2013.

Hae-Yang Chang built a wildlife lookout at Rotary Park, 2012.

Justyn Chabowski-Carpino built a wildlife lookout at Rotary Park, 2012.

Alex Golod built plant identification signs and benches at Cape Coral Historical Museum, 2012.

Michael Eitutis constructed and installed an information kiosk at Yellow Fever Creek, 2011.