Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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Migration-A-Thon Virtual Challenge

Celebrating fall migration this September at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

Join Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge this September as we celebrate fall migration of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and more! As part of our celebration, we are challenging you to get moving outside throughout the month. You can also participate in our "walk-a-thon" style fundraiser by asking friends, family, or businesses to sponsor you at a pledged rate per mile.

This month-long virtual "move-a-thon" is a way for us to come together and move (bird, walk, hike, run, swim, paddle, ride, etc.) in our community with a goal of reaching 2,269 miles collectively (the distance it takes a monarch butterfly to travel from Oak Harbor, Ohio to the butterfly sanctuary in Sierra Chincua, Mexico)!

Participants in the Migration-A-Thon will track and upload the miles moved during the month of September. Your miles can be completed anywhere! Your donors will contribute their pledged amounts, and donations will help Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to conserve wildlife habitat for future generations.
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Click the link below to get started with your virtual challenge and fundraiser today!
Challenge Accepted
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Quick Links

Join Virtual Challenge

Create Fundraiser

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Fundraiser's Toolkit

Perks & Prizes

Calendar of Events

Suggested Trails


More About Monarchs

About the Friends

Event Flyer
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Perks and Prizes
Distance Milestone
Perk/Prize
10 miles
10 miler badge on your challenge profile.
25 miles
25 miler badge on your challenge profile. Social media shout out!
50 miles
50 miler badge on your challenge profile. Monarch pin. Social media shout out!
100 miles
100 miler badge on your challenge profile. Swag bag! Social Media Shout Out!
Overall Most Miles Moved
Private tour of the refuge for yourself and up to 12 friends, certificate of achievement, and social media FAME!
Fundraising Milestone
Perk/Prize
$250 raised
Egg badge on your fundraising website. Social media shout out!
$500 raised
Caterpillar badge on your fundraising website. Social media shout out!
$1,000 raised
Chrysalis badge on your fundraising website. Social media shout out!
$2,500 & up raised
Butterfly badge on your fundraising website. Social media shout out!
Overall Top Dollars Raised
Private tour of the refuge for yourself and up to 12 friends, certificate of achievement and social media FAME!
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More About Monarchs

Fall migration is in full swing in September. It's a time when some types of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies flock through Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge's 11,000 acres of protected habitats as they journey south to overwintering grounds. Some species like the monarch butterfly travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to their winter home!

In honor of their journey, Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is hosting our first ever Monarch Migration-A-Thon in September of 2023. This month-long virtual "move-a-thon" is a way for us to come together and move (walk, run, swim, paddle, ride, etc) in our community with a goal of reaching 2,269 miles collectively (the distance it takes a monarch butterfly to travel from Oak Harbor, Ohio to the butterfly sanctuary in Sierra Chincua, Mexico.).

Researchers estimate that a jaw-dropping 970 million monarchs have vanished since 1990. There are a number of threats to monarch butterflies including habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use that is reducing milkweed populations, a plant on which the monarch lays its eggs. The long-term solution to ensure the survival of this species is to plant native milkweed species and nectaring plants and protect winter roost locations. This event raises awareness about the monarch migration in hopes of inspiring the next generation of conservationists to protect threatened and endangered species through habitat conservation.

Please consider joining our Virtual Challenge to
conserve and protect wildlife habitats at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for monarch butterflies and many other important species.

Additional Info

A fundraising toolkit is available to help get you started. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Executive Director Aimee Arent at friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com or 419-707-7756.
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Friends of Ottawa NWR
14000 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 

  
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419-898-0014 x13
friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com

 EIN: 34-1904821   
Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Refuge Challenges
    • Recent Sightings
    • Visitor Center
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Drive
    • Endangered Wildlife
    • Endangered Plants
    • Research >
      • Bald Eagle Updates
      • West Sister Island Rookery
      • Blanding's Turtles
    • Gallery >
      • Most Memorable Moments
      • Photos by Friends
    • Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips
    • Timing of Bird Migration
    • Spring Birding Spots
    • Fishing and Hunting Information
    • EV Charging Station
    • Barn Quilt Trail
    • Know Your Signs
    • National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Friends History
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Refuge Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Migration-A-Thon
      • Photography Contest
      • Shuttle Tours
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • Glass City Bird Crew
      • Nature Programs
    • Friends Projects >
      • Shuttle
      • Bird Friendly Facility Project
      • Fox Nature Preserve
      • Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
      • Portage River Water Trail
      • Marinewood Restoration
      • West Harbor Project
      • Wildlife Drive Improvements
      • Visitor Center Fishing Access
    • Recent Accomplishments
    • Carrying on a Legacy
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Donate
    • License Plate
    • Become a Member
    • Employer Match
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop