Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

About the West Sister Island Cruise
Did you know that the egrets and herons that nest in the West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge rookery travel an 18 mile round trip, just to feed their young?

Learn more on a sunset cruise around West Sister Island on the Jet Express. This unique experience will highlight the largest Great Blue Heron and Great Egret rookery in the U.S. Great Lakes! Researchers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be on board to tell you more about the rookery.

Proceeds from this event will help to support our conservation work at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

General Admission ticket sales are now open.

Save your seat!

Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1997 to support conservation in the Lake Erie marshes by increasing the awareness and capability of Ohio's only national wildlife refuge complex.

Explore Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge with us!

PLAN YOUR VISIT
View info about public access points including an interactive map, Visitor Center info, and current weather conditions.

RECENT SIGHTINGS
What birds are being seen at the refuge? Follow this link for eBird hotspots and monthly bird and wildlife census information.

EVENTS
Join us for a virtual or in-person event. Click here for more information about events including Seek Refuge Days and the Wildlife Drive schedule.

BECOME A MEMBER
Love what we do and want to be more involved? Follow this link to learn about becoming a member and committing to annual support.

FRIENDS IMPACT
What does the Friends group make possible at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge? Follow this link to read about our programs and recent accomplishments.

SHOP NOW
Browse the Rookery Nature Store Online for Ottawa Refuge apparel, field guides, and gifts for every nature lover on your list.

We exist because...
Fresh water is a finite resource. We are working to protect it. The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, the 11th largest lake in the world. The Great Lakes contain about 20% of the world's fresh water but they are in jeopardy. The wetlands of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge play a critical role in the Lake Erie ecosystem, acting as the kidneys of the landscape; working to protect NW Ohio's drinking water, work, and leisure. They also provide important nesting and stopover habitat for birds, fish, and wildlife. Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge works to support Ohio's only national wildlife refuge complex through fundraising and volunteerism so that we can be the change that our wildlife and community deserve.