“Coyotes and Cape Coral: A Practical Workshop” will be offered to interested and concerned residents and others on Saturday, Feb. 15, in Cape Coral. Coyotes have become established in Cape Coral and surrounding areas over the past two decades and have steadily increased their presence, influence and safety threat to residents’ pets and domestic animals, and potentially to residents themselves.

The morning session (9 a.m. to noon) will introduce “Urbanized Coyotes.”

Topics will include:

* Basic coyote natural history, biology and requirements

* The urbanization of coyotes and resulting biological, behavioral and ecological changes

* Distribution of coyotes within Cape Coral and their travel routes/sanctuaries/food sources

* Effective, safe, legal and humane means of deterring and repelling coyotes to reduce the urbanization process and threat

* How to better protect yourself, family, pets and property

The afternoon session (1-4 p.m.) will cover these key topics in greater depth and offer up close discussion and demonstration of coyote mitigation methods and equipment. It will conclude with:

* An open forum discussion and Q&A

* Discussion of likely changes to the coyote status quo based on local policy and code enforcement, development/demographic and biological/ecological trends, and resident and government attitudes and involvement

The workshop is offered by Dr. Hank Appleton, a retired environmental scientist and resident of Cape Coral since 2012. He started the public group Facebook page “Jack’s Place: Coyotes and Cape Coral” in June, 2017 after forced entry of one or more coyotes into his screened pool cage resulted in the death of his cat Jack. Using and studying data from numerous reports to the “Jack’s Place” page and elsewhere, follow-up field investigations and consultation with select coyote experts, Appleton has developed a detailed scientific current awareness of the coyotes in Cape Coral and surrounding areas. Previously, in his professional career and as adjunct professor for the State University of New York, Appleton developed and presented courses and invited lectures/seminars on many aspects of environmental biology, ecology and health and safety for audiences including the general public, business and industry and government agency personnel.

This workshop will also feature presentations by Sanibel naturalist and author Charles Sobczak and local residents familiar with the coyotes of Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Pine Island.

Attendance is limited to 60 individuals per session (adults only, please). Reserved seating RSVP (text 571-232-7148 or hank.t.appleton@gmail.com and specify number of seats, names, and for which sessions or both). There is no fee to attend and refreshments and handout materials will be offered.

The two-session workshop will be held at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron headquarters, located at 917 S.E. 47th Terrace in Cape Coral, with adequate parking and lunch options nearby.