Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Live Cameras
    • Recent Sightings
    • Kids Corner
    • Gallery
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Refuge Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Scholarship
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • Track Chair Program
      • Glass City Bird Crew
      • Nature Programs
    • Friends Projects >
      • Shuttle
      • Bird Friendly Facility Project
      • Fox Nature Preserve
      • Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
      • Portage River Water Trail
      • Marinewood Restoration
      • West Harbor Project
      • Wildlife Drive Improvements
      • Visitor Center Fishing Access
    • Recent Accomplishments
    • Carrying on a Legacy
  • TAKE ACTION
  • DONATE
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Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Logo
Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1997 that supports the conservation mission of Ohio’s only national wildlife refuge complex by acquiring land, engaging the community and enhancing public access.

Explore Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge with us!

Plan your visit
PLAN YOUR VISIT
View info about public access points including an interactive map, Visitor Center info, and current weather conditions.
Check out recent bird sightings
RECENT SIGHTINGS
What birds are being seen at the refuge? Follow this link for eBird hotspots and monthly bird and wildlife census information.
Visit the events calendar
EVENTS
Join us for a virtual or in-person event. Click here for more information about events including the Wildlife Drive schedule.
Sign up to become a member
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.
Visit our recent accomplishments page
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.
Visit our shop
SHOP NOW
Browse the Rookery Nature Store Online for Ottawa Refuge apparel, field guides, and gifts for every nature lover on your list.
 

Watch Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Live!

The Friends of Ottawa NWR currently have three live streaming wildlife cameras at the Refuge and they include: the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge wetland with an active beaver lodge and shoreline views along Lake Erie, and two angles of a barn owl nest (currently unoccupied).
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​Watch the Cedar Point Camera
​
Online, 24/7 

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​Barn Owl Nest Camera
Online, but unoccupied. Check back!
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.
Bald Eagle, photo by Vince Capozziello

Recent Stats

Total number of volunteer hours contributed by year. 11,023 hours in 2023, 9,176 hours in 2022, 6,420 hours in 2021, 5,688 hours in 2020, 14,874 hours in 2019, 14,133 hours in 2018, and 7,551 hours in 2017.
Number of acres of land protected by the Friends of Ottawa each year. 69 acres in 2023 and 2022. 57 acres in 2021. 41 acres in 2020 and 2019.
Number of clients placed in internships by year. 7 internships per year from 2021 to 2023. 5 internships in 2020. 7 internships from 2017 to 2019. 5 internships in 2016.
LEARN ABOUT:

Your Wildlife Refuge

Plan Your Visit

Live Cameras

Nature Programs
​
Conservation at Home

Kids Corner

Glass City Bird Crew
​
​Spring Birding Spots

Bald Eagle Updates
​

Recent Wildlife Sightings

​Fishing and Hunting Information

Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips

Bird Migration Timing

Scenes from the Swamp

​Refuge Challenges

Research Projects
​​
​Upcoming Events

Refuge Staff


FRIENDS PROJECTS:
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​Land Acquisition and Restoration

Environmental Education Grants

Marinewood Restoration

Visitor Center Fishing Access

​West Harbor Landing

Wildlife Drive Improvements


Bird Friendly Facility Project

Shuttle


ABOUT THE FRIENDS:

Strategic Goals

Recent Accomplishments

Financials

Community Partners

Board of Directors

​Friends Staff

Newsletters

​
HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Donate

Enduring Purpose Gifts

Become a Member
​
Volunteer

​Purchase License Plate

​
Corporate Sponsors

​Shop
Friends of Ottawa Board members posing next to a wildlife banner
Annual Accomplishments
Read our most recent
 
Annual Report to learn more about what we do ​and learn how you can get involved.
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See the 2023 Annual Report
See the 2022 Annual Report
See the 2021 Annual Report
See the 2020 Annual Report
See the 2019 Annual Report
See the 2018 Annual Report
See the 2017 Annual Report
See the 2016 Annual Report
Sunrise over Crane Creek by Tony Everhardt
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge staff and community members posing next to newly opened Marsh
Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Logo
Friends of Ottawa NWR
14000 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 

  
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GuideStar Profile Badge for our organization

419-898-0014
[email protected]

 EIN: 34-1904821   
Visitor Center open Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm. (Daily in May from 9am-4pm).
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Live Cameras
    • Recent Sightings
    • Kids Corner
    • Gallery
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Refuge Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Scholarship
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • Track Chair Program
      • Glass City Bird Crew
      • Nature Programs
    • Friends Projects >
      • Shuttle
      • Bird Friendly Facility Project
      • Fox Nature Preserve
      • Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
      • Portage River Water Trail
      • Marinewood Restoration
      • West Harbor Project
      • Wildlife Drive Improvements
      • Visitor Center Fishing Access
    • Recent Accomplishments
    • Carrying on a Legacy
  • TAKE ACTION
  • DONATE
  • SHOP
Donate Now!