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.
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As you may know, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has closed all public facilities due to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Governor DeWine's response to COVID-19. Closures include the Visitor Center, Nature Store, outdoor restrooms, and Wildlife Window. The hiking trails remain open from sunrise to sunset. The 1/3 mile boardwalk loop and Partnership trails are closed. The Wildlife Drive is still scheduled to be open on March 21-22; April 18-19; and May 1-25, sunrise to sunset (weather permitting). All public programs have also been postponed or cancelled during the closure. As you can imagine, we do not have an end date for the closure as this is an ongoing issue that is evolving each day. Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge commends the Refuge and the Governor for all of the steps they have taken to keep our visitors, volunteers, staff, and community safe during this uncertain time.
We understand that this may be a frustrating time for our visitors - it is for us too. We rely heavily on income from the spring months to fund refuge priorities and programs throughout the year. And to be perfectly honest - we really miss seeing our regulars and meeting new people from around the country! The best way to help the refuge during this time is to join or renew your membership. The generosity of members and donors like you allows our nonprofit to provide transportation grants that allow kids to explore the great outdoors, fund maintenance and restoration initiatives, and arrange stipends for refuge interns to help with all of these meaningful projects. Joining now will make sure that we can get back on track once this crisis is over. You can also made a donation to support us during this difficult time. Stay safe, practice social distancing, and hopefully we will see you soon. |
Bald Eagle by Vince Capozziello
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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 are 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.
Read our most recent Annual Report to learn more about what we do and learn how you can get involved.
Recent Stats
Sunrise over Crane Creek by Tony Everhardt
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