2021 Friends Revenue & Expenditures

Government funding does not cover all that is necessary to manage a refuge. As a result, wildlife refuges depend on “Friends” groups like Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (FONWR) to fill in the gaps, providing financial and volunteer support. In 2021, support of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge through all revenue streams totaled $585,274.

A total of $167,900 went directly to helping the Refuge Complex and community in the areas of conservation, wildlife protection, research, law enforcement, and education. Refuge support includes items such as visitor access and maintenance projects, intern stipends, and field trip transportation. We also spent about $100,000 to purchase 16.5 acres for the refuge and began work to purchase a 12 acre parcel that we hope to acquire in 2022.

About 40% of our assets are set aside for restricted refuge projects. Some of those that are scheduled to be completed in 2022 include an ADA compliant trail at the Fox Nature Preserve and a picnic shelter at the Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve.

Friends Accomplishments in 2021
  • Funded 7 internships that assisted refuge staff with a combined total of 3255.5 hours of work
  • Planted 3,154 bareroot seedlings and 129 container trees on the Fox Nature Preserve
  • Built a parking area and kiosk at the Fox Nature Preserve and created a mile long mowed grass hiking trail that is now open to the public
  • Purchased waders, an educational archery range and other supplies for youth sportsmen programs
  • Hosted a veteran and adaptive angler event for 72 participants and launched Puddles Kids Club
  • Purchased 16.5 acres of land and restored it to wildlife habitats through the assistance of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
  • Paved the parking area and provided lawn and garden maintenance at West Harbor Landing
  • Built an ADA compliant kayak launch and parking area and reinforced the shoreline at the Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
  • Helped to fund the Bird Friendly Facility Project to prevent bird strikes on the Refuge Visitor Center
  • Served as the fiscal sponsor for the Portage River Water Trail project and completed design work for brochures and signs
The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex had an operating budget of $346,239 for 2021.
​Without the generous donations that we receive from the Friends group, and the work performed by countless volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish our mission! By working together, we have successfully installed ADA accessible fishing platforms, made improvements to our wildlife drive, repaired our boardwalk, added water recreation access, as well as installed interpretive signage, and increased trail maintenance at some of our satellite properties.  All of these tasks are completed with the help of our Friends group and volunteers, working side by side with refuge staff. Thank you all for your support of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge!
​                       --Scott Bryant, Refuge Administrative Officer
Here is the breakdown of the refuge expenditures for 2021:
  • Maintenance: $110,590, including repairs to properties, structures, vehicles, and equipment
  • Supplies: $143,341, including office and field supplies, visitor/volunteer services supplies for all programs
  • Fixed Expenses: $62,223, including utilities, phones, water, propane, trash removal, etc.
  • Fuel: $30,085 to fuel vehicles and equipment for all programs