The Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is the nonprofit partner of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, working alongside the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to enhance conservation, recreation, education, and visitor experiences. Through fundraising, volunteers, community partnerships, and special events like the Run for the Refuge, the Friends group helps provide opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with nature. From maintaining trails and supporting wildlife habitat restoration to funding environmental education programs, internships, and conservation projects, every dollar raised helps ensure Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge remains a place where wildlife thrives and future generations can experience the outdoors.

Your National Wildlife Refuge

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 11,000 acres of nationally significant wetlands along the shores of Lake Erie in northwest Ohio. Established in 1961 to conserve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, the refuge is now one of the Midwest's premier destinations for birding, wildlife photography, and outdoor recreation, welcoming more than 400,000 visitors each year. Visitors can explore over 10 miles of hiking trails located throughout the refuge and its satellite properties across Ottawa County, offering opportunities to experience marshes, forests, prairies, and shoreline habitats in every season. Whether you're watching spring migration, hiking with family, photographing wildlife, or simply enjoying the outdoors, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge offers a place where people and nature come together.