Check out this news article about a traveling Burrowing Owl

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/09/21/stowaway-owl-found-on-world-s-largest-cruise-ship/

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering upgrading the Burrowing Owl from "a species of special concern" to the threatened list. to read the entire article visit:

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/flagler/2011/06/09/florida-black-bear-facing-removal-from-protected-species-list.html

 Deep in the heart of Boston (MA) is the Rose Kennedy Greenway, (to quote the website) which "encompasses gardens, plazas, and tree-lined promenades, offering beautiful places for relaxation within an urban environment. " Critics of the park say the art in this, and other Boston parks is "stodgy". The conservancy that over looks the park, has decided to upgrade the park's art.  One of the artists chosen to add a sculpture to the park is Sam Easterson who’s sculpture“Burrowing Owl makes direct eye contact with the viewer, veritably inviting us into its lair".  This is a coup for the Burrowing Owl since the Burrowing Owl is not native to Massachusetts or the northeast for that matter.

To read the entire article, visit this link and scroll to page 3. http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2011/07/08/critics_notebook_public_art_on_the_greenway_needs_to_grow/

Ground Squirrels are being released in the San Diego area in an effort to provide habitat for Burrowing Owl.  Here in Florida, Burrowing Owls dig their own burrows.  With soft sand and open land, this is quite an easy task.  Out west is a different story.  The western Burrowing Owl takes over abandoned burrows left by prairie dogs, and other ground dwelling animals.  Apparently the ground squirrel digs a labyrinth of tunnels which are great homes for the owls. 

This release program is the first of its kind.  Read more about it at http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/25/squirrel-relocation-program-goes-nuts-east-county/