Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

06/16/2026

📢 Announcing Satellite Saturdays! 📢

You probably already know that Ottawa NWR is actually a complex of refuges including Cedar Point NWR and West Sister Island NWR. Additionally, Ottawa NWR includes many satellite properties throughout Ottawa County that are not directly connected to the main Ottawa NWR unit. Ottawa NWR staff manages over a dozen satellite properties (some owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and some owned by partners) as well as the Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area in Michigan. Select properties are open for hiking, hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing and are easy to recognize by the USFWS kiosks near the parking areas. A few of Ottawa NWR’s satellite properties include the Boss Unit, Marinewood Unit, Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve, Fox Nature Preserve, Turtle Creek Island Unit, Turkey Run Unit, Two Rivers Unit, and Middle Toussaint Unit. Other properties are not open to the public and are accessible by permit only or during special tours.

Feeling overwhelmed? Join us for Satellite Saturdays on select Saturdays during the summer to explore some of the satellite properties. Times and locations will vary. Check the events tab of our page or website for more information.

Photo: A trail at the Fox Nature Preserve by M. Michael.

06/14/2026

On May 26th, "the Department of the Interior [] announced the largest proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, opening or expanding more than 1,450 opportunities across 111 stations in 32 states." This includes Ottawa NWR and Cedar Point NWR. More information is available at the press release: https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-05/department-interior-announces-proposed-expansion-hunting-and-fishing ."

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages hunting and fishing programs to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while balancing recreational access with conservation responsibilities. Hunting and fishing are permitted on refuges when determined to be compatible with each station’s purpose and mission under federal law.

The Service seeks public comments on the proposed rule for 30 days, beginning with publication in the Federal Register on May 27, 2026. The notice will be available at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-1223, and will include complete details on the proposed hunting and sport fishing rule and how to submit comments."

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced the largest proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, opening or expanding more than 1,450 opportunities across 111 stations in 32 states.

06/12/2026

The second week of June is Wild Turtle Week! 🐢 As this week comes to a close, we want to celebrate the ancient reptiles that call Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge home.

Turtles play an important role in wetland ecosystems. They feed on dead vegetation and scavenge for dead or diseased fish and frogs. Turtles help improve water quality and recycle nutrients throughout habitats.

While visiting Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, you may spot several native turtle species, including map turtles, painted turtles, Blanding's turtles, spiny softshell turtles, and common snapping turtles.

Unfortunately, wild turtles currently face many obstacles from habitat loss, pollution, busy roadways, and illegal collection. You can help protect turtles by:
🐢 Admiring from a distance
🐢 Obeying speed limits and paying attention to the road
🐢 Reporting wildlife crimes to law enforcement at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477)
🐢 Sharing the importance of wild turtle conservation with others

Take a look at the attached poster to see some of the turtles found on the refuge, along with tips for spotting them in the wild.



Photo: A poster of turtle species found at Ottawa and tips for how to find them compiled by A. Ersig/USFWS with photos from L. Monska and T. Everhardt.

06/10/2026

Join us in celebrating PlayCleanGo® Awareness Week!

The theme of PlayCleanGo® 2026 is “We protect the places we love.” The goal of this week, observed from June 6th to 13th, is to spread awareness on how to take simple steps in stopping the spread of invasive species in order to keep our trails, lands, and waterways healthy.

You can make a difference by:
✅Cleaning gear after spending time outdoors
✅Using a brush to remove mud and seeds from your shoes before and after a hike
✅Draining boats, kayaks, and other watercraft
✅Checking gear and equipment for invasives before traveling between locations

We all love our refuge, so let's protect it so that future generations can enjoy and love it as well! To help us protect the land and water, check out the cool PlayCleanGo® boot brush stations we have installed at the trailhead parking lot and the Cedar Point NWR access!



Photo: A boot brush station with a sign by O. Segaard/USFWS.

06/08/2026

In honor of A250, starting in June, the Wild Pages Story Trail at Fox Nature Preserve (1/4 mile south of Route 2 on Lickert-Harder Rd) is featuring the book "Beauty and the Beak" by Deborah Lee Rose and Jane Veltkamp. The book contains a true story about an eagle named Beauty who was rescued and rehabilitated with a 3D printed beak!

Pick up a worksheet at the Oak Harbor Public Library or the refuge Visitor Center (open 10:00am-4:00pm Thursday through Sunday), answer the questions along the way, and return the worksheet at either location to receive a prize.



Photo: A flyer about the Wild Pages Story Trail courtesy of the Oak Harbor Public Library.

06/06/2026

Update: The sign at Marinewood is undergoing repairs. Please take a selfie with the temporary or "Small Boat Launch" sign instead (picture in the comments).

Happy National Trails Day! This holiday is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in June and encourages people to hit the trails and spend time outside! Here at Ottawa NWR, we will be celebrating with the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge all month long with a National Trails Day Scavenger Hunt.

Want to participate? Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the Visitor Center or download it from the Friends' website. Earn a sticker or Friends of ONWR window cling by finding and taking selfies with at least 5/7 locations at Ottawa NWR and earn another by finding and taking selfies with at least 5/6 locations at Satellite Properties.

The first 13 participants to find all 13 locations can additionally choose a bird house or book prize! Others who find all 13 can earn a National Wildlife Refuges poster in addition to the sticker and cling. Present selfies at the front desk of the Visitor Center (open Thursday to Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm) to claim your prizes! The Scavenger Hunt runs from June 6th to July 5th.



Photo: A collage of locations at Ottawa NWR and Satellite Properties compiled by M. Michael and B. Gawin/USFWS.

06/04/2026

Happy (early) World Environment Day! 🌎

World Environment Day was established in 1972 by the United Nations and is observed annually on June 5th (tomorrow!). It is a day of raising awareness and encouraging action for protection of the environment. The theme this year is "A Global Call for Climate Action."

As part of Earth Day celebrations last month, we partnered with the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council and artist Debra Sue Solecki for a Beach Cleanup & Community Art Project event on April 25th. Over 60 participants, including a large group from Scout Pack 361, joined us at the Port Clinton Beach for a cleanup, after which we brought the 72lbs of collected litter over to The Arts Garage, where we turned it into art. Debra Sue sketched out an underwater Lake Erie scene on a repurposed vinyl banner, and participants used litter to complete the multimedia mural. Our collaborative art project has been on display at 123 Madison St. in Port Clinton if you'd like to see it in person!

We are grateful to have been able to work with such an incredible artist and organization to learn about human impacts on the environment, make a difference in our own neighborhood, and share the message with our local community through art!



Photo 1: The collaborative art project on display by B. Gawin/USFWS.
Photos 2-3: Volunteers walk along the beach, picking up trash by B. Gawin/USFWS.
Photo 4: The pile of collected litter by B. Gawin/USFWS.
Photo 5: The collaborative art project getting assembled by B. Gawin/USFWS.

06/01/2026

☀️ Welcome to June! ☀️

The summer months are an exciting time to visit the refuge! As a reminder, from June to August, the Wildlife Drive is open every Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to one hour before sunset (weather permitting). There are also two bonus dates: Friday, June 19th and Friday, July 3rd in honor of Juneteenth and Independence Day.

Please always double check the Wildlife Drive dates and status by checking our page and/or calling the Visitor Center at (419) 313-3236 before traveling from a distance!



Photo: A trumpeter swan with five cygnets by T. Everhardt.

05/30/2026

Next Saturday is shaping up to be an exciting day at the refuge!

🐟 Introduction to Fishing
10:00am-11:00am (Ages 10-12) & 11:00am-12:00pm (Ages 7-9)
Whether you're new to fishing or an experienced regular, there is always more to learn! Join Fishing's Future to learn about tackle, casting, and handling fish. Afterwards, there will be open catch and release time, with opportunities to get help from instructors. All fishing supplies will be provided. Registration required on Eventbrite.

🐕 B.A.R.K. Ranger
Group: 10:00am-11:00am & 1:00pm-2:00pm; Individual: 11:00am-1:00pm
Bring your pet to the refuge to take a hike with a ranger and learn about proper “petiquette” when visiting public lands! Participants will receive a certificate and bandana. Registration required: call/text Ranger B at (419) 607-7506.

Both programs are FREE and more details can be found on the events tab of our page or website!



Photo 1: A park ranger stands with two junior anglers who are fishing by USFWS.
Photo 2: B.A.R.K. Rangers Xander and Stergios by B. Gawin/USFWS.
Photo 3: B.A.R.K. Rangers Zeke and Taz by B. Gawin/USFWS.

05/27/2026

Happy World Otter Day!!! 🦦🦦🦦

These playful river otters were spotted at Ottawa NWR! Aren't they otterly adorable?!?!



Alt text: Two river otters tussle on the beach while a third digs in the sand. In the foreground is flowing water, and the background has more sand and green vegetation.