It's official.

We are so honored to announce that Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge have received a Public Lands Alliance Partnership Award! This award recognizes an exemplary partnership for a stunning achievement to protect and preserve our public lands and enhance the experiences of their visitors and users. Watch the awards ceremony to learn more, and thank you for helping to make this possible.
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.
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Bald Eagle by Vince Capozziello

COVID-19 Updates and Impacts on Ottawa NWR Activites

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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.
Read our most recent Annual Report to learn more about what we do and learn how you can get involved.

Recent Stats

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Sunrise over Crane Creek by Tony Everhardt