2022 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 2022, support of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge through all revenue streams totaled $593,816.

About $378,616 of FONWR expenditures 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. This year refuge support included $274,569 from grants and cooperative agreements for new projects such as the Career Pathways Program, an H2Ohio project and restoration agreement through the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program.
About 36% of assets are set aside for restricted refuge projects that will further our impact on the refuge & our community.

Summary of Friends Accomplishments in 2022
  • Funded 7 internships that assisted refuge staff with a combined total of 3,196 hours of work
  • Established Career Pathways Program to advance interns and selected our first Level 2 and Level 3 participants
  • Worked with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service and local vendors to execute an H2Ohio project at Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
  • Purchased 11.9 acre addition to the Turkey Run Unit
  • Worked with Partners for Fish and Wildlife and vendors to treat 846 acres for invasive species on private lands
  • Hosted an environmental education teacher’s workshop made possible by an Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant
  • Purchased an interpretive trailer to connect with audiences on the refuge and in the community
  • Through community support, purchased 15 passenger electric shuttle and led 25 tours through the refuge
  • Supported Bird Friendly Facility project through volunteer support and purchasing interpretive displays
  • Built 1,400’ ADA compliant crushed gravel and boardwalk trail at Fox Unit with benches
  • Constructed a pavilion at Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve cooperatively managed by the USFWS & Black Swamp Conservancy
  • Served as the fiscal sponsor for the Portage River Water Trail project and purchased brochures & signs for partners
​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 expenditures for 2022:
  • Maintenance: $90,995, including repairs to properties, structures, vehicles, and equipment
  • Supplies: $45,822, including office and field supplies, visitor/volunteer services supplies for all programs
  • Fixed Expenses: $60,768, including utilities, phones, water, propane, trash removal, etc.
  • Fuel: $54,383 to fuel vehicles and equipment for all programs