Help kids get to Ottawa NWR!

Do you have a love for nature and education? We do! And we need some help with transportation costs to make the magic of environmental programs happen for our NW Ohio students.

We are the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, also known as the ONWR Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located near Oak Harbor, Ohio.  Our principal reason for existence is to help Ottawa NWR, the ONLY National Wildlife Refuge complex in the state of Ohio.  

Throughout the year, Ottawa NWR reaches thousands of area students through educational programs on the Refuge. We have even been recognized by the Environmental Education Council of Ohio for our outstanding work.

We have pre-schoolers to high schoolers visit us with their classrooms (sometimes, even on the same day!) In the past, we have relied on grants to offer our local schools funding for transportation, but those funds have been depleted.  Over the last two years, we are proud to have provided $4500 to schools for bussing costs for field trips.

For the upcoming season, we are hoping to raise $5000 to replenish our transportation fund to help bring kids to our Refuge! 

With your donation, children will be able to experience nature programs with a real United States Fish and Wildlife Service Park Ranger at Ottawa NWR. Some of our programs offered include dipnetting in the marsh, beginning birdwatching, butterflies, animal tracks, and skulls & furs.  

With your contribution, kids who have never experienced truly "wild" areas will have a chance to explore.

With your support, these kids will grow up to be environmentally friendly adults, and work towards preserving and restoring natural areas just like Ottawa.  Knowledge is power.

With your help, we can make a difference in their lives.

Any contribution you can make would be greatly appreciated by Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, the Friends of ONWR, and all of the students & teachers who will be able to visit Ottawa.