The Joan and Richard Kimple Conservation Fund
Supporting Land Acquisition and Restoration at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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Donate to the fund. One of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge's long term goals is to establish a $500,000 Land Acquisition and Restoration Fund. This fund will allow us to aid the refuge with the purchase of land from willing property owners and restoration of existing refuge parcels from Toledo to the Sandusky Bay. If you love federal public lands, donate today to help support this worthy cause. |
The Joan and Richard Kimple Conservation Fund has now helped to conserve 69 acres for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge!
Fox Nature Preserve (40 acres)
Background on the Fox Unit & the Friends Land Acquisition Program
Since 2013, the Friends group has managed a growing fund for land acquisition with the intention of working with refuge staff to identify and purchase land significant to the refuge from willing sellers. Thanks to six years of planning and securing two sizable gifts from anonymous donors, Friends of Ottawa NWR has made this dream come true.
"Friends of Ottawa NWR is elated to have this opportunity to work with a local family to support the refuge in its conservation success story,” said Aimee Arent, Executive Director. "We are so grateful to the Fox family for wanting their land to become habitat for birds and wildlife. We are honored to be a part of the Fox family’s conservation legacy.”
Since 2013, the Friends group has managed a growing fund for land acquisition with the intention of working with refuge staff to identify and purchase land significant to the refuge from willing sellers. Thanks to six years of planning and securing two sizable gifts from anonymous donors, Friends of Ottawa NWR has made this dream come true.
"Friends of Ottawa NWR is elated to have this opportunity to work with a local family to support the refuge in its conservation success story,” said Aimee Arent, Executive Director. "We are so grateful to the Fox family for wanting their land to become habitat for birds and wildlife. We are honored to be a part of the Fox family’s conservation legacy.”
“Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is excited that the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge achieved another conservation milestone with the acquisition,” said Jason Lewis, Refuge Manager. “The organization has become a regional conservation leader championing migratory bird habitat protection and restoration. Their efforts will help promote the health of Lake Erie through water quality improvements and benefit fish and wildlife throughout the Western Basin of Lake Erie.”
The 40-acre property is located directly across SR 2 from the ONWR Visitor Center. The property includes an 8-acre woodlot. Restoration plans will include restoring wet prairie and shrub habitat which should be excellent for birds and wildlife. The property was sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2020, and the proceeds from the sale will be used for future land purchases in a revolving fund managed by the Friends. Learn more here.
The 40-acre property is located directly across SR 2 from the ONWR Visitor Center. The property includes an 8-acre woodlot. Restoration plans will include restoring wet prairie and shrub habitat which should be excellent for birds and wildlife. The property was sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2020, and the proceeds from the sale will be used for future land purchases in a revolving fund managed by the Friends. Learn more here.
Kontz Unit Addition (.56 acres)
Photo taken in July 2020, showing a wetland in progress!
In October 2019, the Friends completed their second land purchase, a .56 acre parcel with the help of an anonymous donor. The property is located next to the Ohio Division of Wildlife Turtle Creek Fishing Access on State Route 2 near State Route 19. This parcel became part of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge's Kontz Unit on July 20, 2020. It will be managed as a wetland by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Learn more about the Land Acquisition and Restoration Fund and see how you can help with future land purchases and restoration projects.
Learn more about the Land Acquisition and Restoration Fund and see how you can help with future land purchases and restoration projects.
The house was razed in January 2020 with the help of our Friends at Buehler Excavating.
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Velliquette Parcel (16.5 acres)
This 16.5 acre parcel was purchased by Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge from Roger and Lois Velliquette of Oak Harbor, Ohio on April 7, 2021. The property is located along a flood zone of Turtle Creek, not far to the east of the refuge's Turtle Creek Island Unit fishing and kayak access. This parcel will be restored and become part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, providing habitats for birds, fish, and wildlife while helping to filter excess nutrients and pollutants before they reach Lake Erie.
Turkey Run Addition (11.9 acres)
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On January 18, 2022 the Friends purchased this 11.9 acre parcel which is located adjacent to the 266 acre Turkey Run Unit.
The Turkey Run Unit is located on W. Little Portage East Rd between Oak Harbor and Fremont, Ohio. This parcel is located at the far eastern edge at the Paulsen Rd intersection. Once farmland, higher water levels made conditions just right for this parcel to revert to a cattail marsh. It will be a perfect addition to the refuge. |
