Friends of Ottawa NWR Staff

Aimee Arent, Executive Director

Aimee Arent is the Executive Director of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Her love for connecting people with the outdoors started young and after receiving her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management she has gained experience working at the federal, state, and local levels. Aimee has been serving the refuge in various capacities since 2011 from volunteer to federal employee to Friends board member. Now as one of two Friends staff members, she is proud to spread awareness and secure the future of the refuge every day. As a seventh generation Northwest Ohioan, she is devoted to the Great Lakes and focused on preserving natural areas for future generations.  Aimee also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates, a group dedicated to connecting National Wildlife Refuge Friends groups nationwide. She can be often found along Lake Erie’s coastline hiking, kayaking, biking, and beach combing with husband Greg, daughter Riley, and rescue dog Buck.

Aimee can be reached at 419-707-7756 or friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com. 

Julia Hinca, Nature Store Manager

Julia Hinca grew up on the shores of Lake Erie in Western New York. It didn’t take long after moving to Northwest Ohio to realize what a true treasure this area is. She is thrilled to be a part of the Friends group’s efforts to preserve it. Working in public service and volunteering at the refuge has led her to this position. Julia’s goal is to provide unique items in the Rookery Nature Store that showcase the distinct beauty of the refuge. She shares her love of nature with her husband and three children who enjoy amateur bird watching, fishing and camping together.

Julia can be reached at 419-960-5222 or theonwr@gmail.com. 

Madison Hinkle, Nature Store Clerk

Madison Hinkle has been spending time at the refuge since she was two years old. Madison is currently a freshman in college studying applied sciences. She is thrilled to be making a difference with the Friends group at a place that means so much to her. When not at the refuge, she enjoys snuggling her dogs, listening to music, and hiking.

Nicole Crofts, Volunteer Coordinator

Nicole was born with a love of animals and nature.  From an early age she enjoyed spending time outside observing animals and their habitats.  Nicole was an avid volunteer at Ottawa NWR and was a founding member of what is now the Friends of Ottawa NWR organization.  She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science with a minor in environmental science.  She worked for the Fish and Wildlife Service as a Biological Science Technician at Ohio River Islands NWR in West Virginia and Waubay NWR in South Dakota with the hopes of someday becoming a Wildlife Biologist. Her path changed when she got married and chose to be a stay at home mom for her five children. Now that her children are a little older, she is excited to begin her position as Volunteer Coordinator at Ottawa NWR!

Nicole can be reached at 419-607-9445 or volunteeronwr@gmail.com.