Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
  • 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
    • Refuge Staff
    • 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
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Spring Migration
      • Chili Cookoff
      • Photography Contest
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • 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
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop

Take a walk through the Visitor Center with us!

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LEED Certified
The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center received a Sustainable Design/High Performance Building Award to a Small Group. The Visitor Center at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a remarkable sustainable, high performance building showcase, designed to be equivalent to LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The whole-building design approach resulted in outstanding achievements that included selection of recycled materials, efficient use of energy, water conservation, and runoff treatment. Substantial energy savings were realized due to the 30-ton pond-loop geothermal heat pump system and other energy efficient features such as an air-to-air heat exchanger; in-floor radiant tube heating; instantaneous electric hot water heaters; super insulation; a computerized energy management system and associated controls; occupancy and daylight sensors; energy efficient lighting, low-emittance windows; and tinted window glazing. 

Featuring three stories of modern interpretive displays and facilities, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center should be on your itinerary! 

The Refuge Visitor Center features:
  • Things to borrow for the day including binoculars, fishing poles, Let's Go Outside backpacks, field guides, and even a wheelchair.
  • 12 minute video overview in Refuge Theater
  • E-Bird Kiosk
  • Cedar Point Hunt Lodge Exhibit
  • West Sister Island Rookery Exhibit
  • Muskrat Hut and Kids Corner
  • Indoor Classroom
  • The Rookery Nature Store
  • 2nd Floor Eagle Nest and Scope
  • 3rd Floor Observation deck
  • Waterfowl Exhibit
  • Bob Hines Art Gallery
  • Interpretive Programs, Bus Tours, and Hikes
  • Stairs and elevator
  • The best restrooms in the region!
Outdoors:
  • Access to 10 miles of hiking trails
  • Access to seasonal catch and release Fishing Pond
  • Pollinator Garden and Pollinator Plaza
  • Outdoor Restrooms and Picnic Tables
  • Wildlife Window with Bird Feeders and Sound
  • Refuge Ranger Station, an outdoor Environmental Education classroom

The Refuge Visitor Center is located at 14000 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449 and is open daily from 9AM - 4PM, closed some federal holidays. *Public Health Emergencies may affect hours*
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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
    • Refuge Staff
    • 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
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Spring Migration
      • Chili Cookoff
      • Photography Contest
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • 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
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop