The Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization, was recently able to purchase a plot of land in the Northwest Cape home to many types of wildlife to conserve. The final bit needed to purchase the lot was attained thanks to Forever Tattoo and its fundraiser late last month, which raised more than $4,500. PROVIDED

A fundraiser quickly put together thanks to a chance encounter and like-minded individuals helped a Cape Coral non-profit purchase property to preserve wildlife.

The Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization, was able to purchase a plot of land in the Northwest Cape home to many types of wildlife to conserve.

The final bit of the $20,000 needed to purchase the lot was attained thanks to Forever Tattoo and its fundraiser late last month, which raised more than $4,500.

The popular ink spot offered flash tattoos at a discounted rate for wildlife, and 100% of the tattoo cost was donated by the artists to CCWT.

“Back in September, Cape Coral Wildlife Trust made a commitment to the owner of the gopher tortoise and burrowing owl lot by Dec. 1,” said CCWT board member, Lori Haus-Bulcock. “With support from the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, donations, and finally, the overwhelming generosity of Forever Tattoo, the property will now be a forever home for Cape Coral’s wildlife neighbors, the Florida endangered list burrowing owl and gopher tortoise.”

It all started when Gema Cisneros, an artist at Forever Tattoo, happened upon a Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife booth at a Rotary Park plant sale. Cisneros, being a wildlife lover, decided to become a member and discovered through an email, the wildlife trust was looking for donations to help purchase the lot.

Cisneros met Haus-Bulcock at a City Council meeting, told her the shop would be interested in putting on a fundraiser to help the cause.

“Our relationship kind of built off of that,” Cisneros said.

Cisneros, along with the other artists at Forever Tattoo, designed wildlife and nature-inspired designs, such as burrowing owls, mangrove trees, and butterflies.

About 25 tattoos were inked that day, a local barber set up a chair for haircuts on-site, and a food truck vendor served up tasty bites.

“Everyone was on-board with giving as much as we could to the fundraiser,” Cisneros said. “Right now, the biggest threat to wildlife is development. We are also so dependent on them as much as they are dependent on us. It’s our responsibility to try and take care of what is left, and try to restore and conserve it. That’s what makes Florida beautiful. That’s what makes being alive beautiful — is being able to share this earth with fellow humans and other inhabitants. And it’s sad to see them go. We all value that here.”

Forever Tattoo has been in the Cape for 17 years (in business for 19) and is located along Southeast 47th Terrace.

“There have been many fundraisers here in the past to help wherever,” Cisneros said.

As for how it feels to have provided the funds to secure the lot for CCWT, Cisneros said, “It’s pretty surreal. I got to go see it the other day and see the animals that inhabit it now. Getting to know they’re going to be able to stay is a beautiful thing. It gives me hope that the community can come together and do something like this. So many people showed up to the event. It was amazing to see the support.”

The mission of CCWT is to acquire wildlife habitat. To date, CCWT owns 68 conservation lots. They are looking for volunteers to monitor and maintain the properties, and welcome monetary donations or an outright gift of land. For more information, email Haus-Bulcock at baybird60@gmail.com.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and to educating the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources. To volunteer, call 239-980-2593.

Monthly meetings are every second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., September through May, at Rotary Park Environmental Center at 5505 Rose Garden Road.

For more information, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.