Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

1. We will build a dynamic organization that is a durable and sustainable Friends group. The Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge will be a strong organization with sufficient human and financial capacity to achieve our mission, vision, goals and objectives.

2. We will make major contributions to the long-term health and vibrancy of the Refuge and its management. The Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge provides substantial support for Refuge operations and for organizing and funding a variety of programs and projects.

3. We will increase the size of the refuge in accordance with the Comprehensive Conservation Plan. The Refuge will grow with significant help from the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

4. We will diversify and increase visitation without harming the wildlife or the habitat. People from near and far experience the Refuge in person and on-line as a world-class destination.

5. We will be a strong and influential voice with national, state and local leaders about the importance of conservation and the Refuge. Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge will actively advocate for the land, water, air and wildlife conservation.

Our current strategies are focused in the following three areas:

Refuge Awareness
1. Promote on-site and off-site events focused on environmental education and awareness of this vital resource.
2. Engage with local chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and other community partners.
3. Provide unique opportunities for refuge visitors including presentations, guided tours and hikes.
4. Operate the Rookery Nature Store in the refuge Visitor Center to extend the visitor experience through relevant merchandise.
5. Engage with local, state, and federal representatives to advocate for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

Human Capacity
1. Build and retain a team of volunteers. With only 8 full-time year-round refuge staff and 1 full-time Friends staff member, volunteers are the lifeblood of the refuge.
2. Promote an annual membership program to involve refuge supporters.

Funding
1. Connect with interested parties and purchase properties relevant to the refuge to become part of the refuge complex.
2. Fund restoration efforts and maintenance projects on refuge properties.
3. Fund visitor access projects including kayak launches, fishing platforms, and trails.
4. Provide intern stipends to provide college students with incredible experiences and networking opportunities while allowing refuge staff to focus on on-going projects.
5. Provide transportation grants so that local schools can take field trips to experience the refuge.

Through donor-centered fundraising, we seek grant opportunities, individual donors, and corporations to help make all of this possible.

Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge seeks diversity in its board of directors, staff, and volunteers to support our mission.

Recent Accomplishments Include:

-Purchased 69 acres of land as part of our revolving Land Acquisition and Restoration Program. 40.56 acres have been sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be managed as part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
-Built an ADA compliant trail at the Fox Nature Preserve
-Installed an ADA compliant kayak access and pavilion at the Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve on Catawba Island.
-Created Career Pathways Program as an extension of our successful Internship Program
-Received Ohio EPA grant to fund restoration work on 40 acres of land.
-Funded Wildlife Drive improvements including 9 pull-offs and a restroom mid-way through the route.
-With funds from many partnering organizations, built the Visitor Center Fishing Access including one ADA-accessible fishing platform.
-Constructed West Harbor Landing observation deck, ADA accessible parking space in the parking area, kayak launch, kiosk, and pollinator habitat.
-Built Turtle Creek Island Unit parking area and kayak launch.
-Built Middle Toussaint Unit parking area and kayak launch.
-Constructed Boss Unit Shorebird Deck.
-Provided stipends for 27 13-week internships in the last 5 years.
-Created an Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge license plate available at Ohio BMV's.
-Received Ohio Environmental Education Foundation grant to equip the Refuge Ranger Station with educational materials.
-Hosted annual events including the Biggest Week in American Birding, Cars for Critters, West Sister Island Sunset Cruise, Discover Ottawa Day, 5K, Chili Cook-off, Lorax Day, Holiday Open House, Howl-o-ween, etc.

What's Next?

-Purchasing and restoring additional relevant properties to native habitat. Our goal is to have a $500,000 revolving fund in place to allow us to purchase properties as they are available, then sell to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at a later date once their paperwork is in order. Money entering the Joan and Richard Kimple Conservation Fund will help to support land purchases and leverage restoration work in perpetuity.
-Continuing to fund the Career Pathways Program. With refuges understaffed, adding additional human capacity is one of the biggest ways Friends groups can support their refuges. This program helps to offset the imbalance.
-Fund additional refuge priority projects as they arise. Deferred maintenance has made the highest ever recorded lake levels a challenge for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge's aging infrastructure. We anticipate a need to assist in replacing the series of pumps, water control structures, culverts, electric pump stations, flap gates, and fish passage structures.