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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We are so honored to announce that Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has been nominated for a Public Lands Alliance Partnership Award!
The Public Lands Alliance has worked to foster and advance its members, the nonprofit partners of America's public lands, since 1977. They are a unified, powerful community dedicated to the preservation, enrichment and enjoyment of America's most treasured places. In the upcoming virtual awards ceremony on Monday, May 24 at 6pm EDT, The Public Lands Alliance will recognize individuals and organizations that are key to successful and vibrant public lands partnerships across the United States. Awards will be presented in the Agency Leadership, Corporate Partnership, and Public Lands Partner categories. |
COVID-19 Updates and Impacts on Ottawa NWR Activites
As you may know, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has closed the Visitor Center due to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Governor DeWine's response to COVID-19. Closures include the Visitor Center, Nature Store, and Wildlife Window. The hiking trails remain open from sunrise to sunset. The Partnership Trails, 1/3 mile boardwalk, and outdoor restrooms have reopened. All public programs have 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.
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.
LEARN ABOUT: 
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 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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