Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Refuge Challenges
    • Recent Sightings
    • Visitor Center
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Drive
    • Endangered Wildlife
    • Endangered Plants
    • Research >
      • Bald Eagle Updates
      • West Sister Island Rookery
      • Blanding's Turtles
    • Gallery >
      • Most Memorable Moments
      • Photos by Friends
    • Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips
    • Timing of Bird Migration
    • Spring Birding Spots
    • Fishing and Hunting Information
    • Refuge Staff
    • EV Charging Station
    • Barn Quilt Trail
    • Know Your Signs
    • National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Friends History
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Spring Migration
      • Chili Cookoff
      • Photography Contest
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • 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
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Donate
    • License Plate
    • Become a Member
    • Employer Match
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop

​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.
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General Admission ticket sales are now open.
Save your seat!
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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!

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PLAN YOUR VISIT
View info about public access points including an interactive map, Visitor Center info, and current weather conditions.
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RECENT SIGHTINGS
What birds are being seen at the refuge? Follow this link for eBird hotspots and monthly bird and wildlife census information.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Photo: Bald Eagle by Vince Capozziello

Recent Stats

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LEARN ABOUT:

Your Wildlife Refuge

Plan Your Visit
​
​Satellite Properties

Nature Programs
​
Conservation at Home

Kids Corner
​
​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:
​

​Land Acquisition and Restoration

Environmental Education Grants

Marinewood Restoration

Refuge Tractor Fund

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

​
HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Donate

Enduring Purpose Gifts

Become a Member
​
Volunteer

​Purchase License Plate

​
Corporate Sponsors

​Shop
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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Subscribe to receive emails from Friends of Ottawa NWR.
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Sunrise over Crane Creek by Tony Everhardt
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Friends of Ottawa NWR
14000 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 

  
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419-898-0014 x13
friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com

 EIN: 34-1904821   
Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Refuge Challenges
    • Recent Sightings
    • Visitor Center
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Drive
    • Endangered Wildlife
    • Endangered Plants
    • Research >
      • Bald Eagle Updates
      • West Sister Island Rookery
      • Blanding's Turtles
    • Gallery >
      • Most Memorable Moments
      • Photos by Friends
    • Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips
    • Timing of Bird Migration
    • Spring Birding Spots
    • Fishing and Hunting Information
    • Refuge Staff
    • EV Charging Station
    • Barn Quilt Trail
    • Know Your Signs
    • National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Friends History
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Spring Migration
      • Chili Cookoff
      • Photography Contest
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • 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
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Donate
    • License Plate
    • Become a Member
    • Employer Match
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop