Total Solar Eclipse Coming April 8th!
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By now, you've certainly heard the news. On Monday, April 8, 2024, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge will experience a total solar eclipse. Dr. Tim Winship, Friends member and amateur astronomer, will be on site with a viewing telescope. Weather permitting, Lake Erie BBQ and Sweet Nate's Coffee will also be on site from 10am - 5pm to serve visitors who choose to enjoy the view with us.
- Start of Partial Eclipse: 1:57pm (EDT)
- Start of Totality: 3:12pm (EDT)
- End of Totality: 3:15pm (EDT)
- End of Partial: 4:27pm (EDT)
Get your official refuge merchandise to celebrate this event and support the refuge. Apparel items are available for online presale only! View the selection here. Delivery may take 2 weeks, so order ASAP to ensure your shirts arrive before the event!
We will have a limited supply of solar eclipse viewing glasses, commemorative stickers and jewelry available in the Rookery Nature Store. Follow this link to view featured items.
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Membership Perk: New and renewing members who join the Friends now through March 31, 2024 will receive a free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses as a special thanks to you! *Offer available while supplies last!*
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How will the refuge's wildlife react to the eclipse?
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Unlike humans, animals don't have clocks to tell them what time it is. They take their cues from their environment. The darkening of the sky as well as changes in wind and temperature tell birds and wildlife that it is nighttime. With the feeling of sunset over Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge during the total solar eclipse, we can expect that diurnal animals (active during the day) like birds and squirrels will stop singing and foraging to prepare for sleep. We also expect that crepuscular animals (those active at dawn and dusk) like beaver and otter, and nocturnal animals (active at night) like owls, bats, and raccoons will awaken and may be seen by visitors. During the partial solar eclipse in August 2017, as the feeling of twilight blanketed the refuge, there was an eerie silence that fell over the marshes. Where ever you plan to view the eclipse, be sure to pay attention to what wildlife is doing... It will certainly be fascinating! Follow this link for more wildlife observation tips to consider during the eclipse and beyond.
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On March 2, 2024, we hosted Lorax Day at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. We had so much fun celebrating nature and sharing a little inspiration about what we can do to protect it.
Last chance to enter our quilt raffle!
This Lorax-themed quilt was made with love by our very own talented Eagle Tour guide volunteer, Becky Traxler. Becky made the quilt to help raise funds for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
The 60x66" 100% cotton quilt features scenes from Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, a cautionary tale about our responsibility to protect the environment. Pieces of the quilt feature the Lorax, truffula trees, and other Lorax and Dr. Seuss-themed text and images. Becky wholeheartedly believes that 'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.'
Entries are available for $5 each through Saturday, March 9. A winner will be drawn on Sunday, March 10! Proceeds support our conservation efforts at Ottawa NWR.
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Calling all handmade market vendors! We are looking for vendors that make and sell wildlife, bird or nature-themed goods or art, recycled/upcycled products, etc for our Wildlife Stop and Shop to be held May 11-12, 2024 during the Biggest Week in American Birding festival. Limited space will be available in a tent provided by the Friends group and 10x10 canopies are welcomed. Interested individuals should fill out our application. We will review applications as they come in and confirm your spot within one week of application. Please contact Aimee with any questions at friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com.
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As we gear up for spring, we find ourselves in need of some help! Do you know anyone who might be interested in these volunteer opportunities?
- Nature Store Volunteers
Assist customers in the store, operate the cash register, inventory items purchased, stock shelves with new inventory, maintain items in an orderly and attractive matter. Potential to occasionally attend community events to perform outreach and sell merchandise, and other duties as agreed upon by Nature Store Manager and volunteer. A minimum of one four-hour block of time per week is preferred. Those interested in learning more about this position may fill out the volunteer application below and select "Nature Store" as an area of interest.
- Mowing/Grounds Maintenance Volunteers
Coordinate with refuge staff to mow and maintain trails and access points during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Those interested in learning more about this position may fill out the volunteer application below and select "Mowing" and "Grounds Maintenance" as areas of interest.
- Beach Cleanup Volunteers
There are several beach cleanups on the calendar of events. Those interested in participating may fill out our volunteer application and select "Beach Cleanups" as an area of interest. Supplies such as gloves, bags, and trash pickers will be provided.
Please fill out our volunteer application to express interest in any of these positions. Feel free to share information with anyone who might be interested! Reach out to Nicole Crofts, Volunteer Coordinator with any questions: volunteeronwr@gmail.com
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2,000 Miles of Interpretive Tours in the Puddles Shuttle!
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On Sunday, March 3, our shuttle reached a special milestone: 2,000 miles of trail rides at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge!
The smiling group of visitors shown here was excited to be part of the milestone ride. Volunteer guide Lori Monska stopped to take a picture as the odometer turned to read "000" and added the "2" sticker to help us keep track of our actual mileage traveled.
The group was able to see eagles, trumpeter swans, the "owl-gle" nest as Lori calls it (the eagle nest taken over by great horned owls), and several species of ducks. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors.
The shuttle typically runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week. Tours are dependent on weather and volunteer availability. You may call 419-898-0014 to reserve your spot. You can also fill out our online form to request a tour another day of the week for groups of 6-10 people. We will do our best to accommodate special requests for groups of friends and family, businesses, clubs, etc. It's a great way to see the refuge and learn from one of our knowledgeable guides.
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We are proud to share that the Innovation Fund raised over $45,000 in December. This fund is a cornerstone for projects that foster collaboration in conservation, propelling Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge toward unprecedented levels of excellence. This year, funds were set aside in two key areas: Youth in Conservation and Creating Community through Nature.
Creating Community through Nature
- $15,000 for kayaks, a trailer, and life vests to increase our ability to provide water recreation programs to visitors.
- $6,500 for livestreaming cameras to bring views from remote areas of the refuge complex to wherever you are!
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Watch the video to see a time-lapse view of a Lake Erie seiche event from the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge livestream camera.
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Through your support of the Innovation Fund, we are the proud owners of a dozen kayaks and excited to launch water recreation programming this spring. Thank you!
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Love what we are doing? You can help make it happen!
If you'd like to ensure that the refuge has the funds to continue priority projects and programs, please consider making a gift today. Setting up a monthly gift that fits into your budget is a great place to start!
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Youth in Conservation
- $17,500 for internships to support invasive species management, refuge operations, and visitor services. If you are interested in learning more about internship opportunities please visit this link.
- $5,000 for scholarships to support the future of conservation through an investment in two local graduating high school seniors. Applications are now under review. We are excited to introduce you to our first scholarship winners later this spring!
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Saturday, March 9: Turtle Creek and Toussaint Creek Beach Cleanup Saturday, April 6: B.A.R.K Ranger Induction Ceremony Sunday, April 7: Monthly Bird Survey Monday, April 8: Total Solar Eclipse Saturday, April 13: Wildlife Beach Cleanup April 20-21: Wildlife Drive Open! April 27-28: Wildlife Drive Open! Sunday, May 5: Monthly Bird Survey May 3-19: Wildlife Drive Open! Additional interpretive tour dates TBA May 25-27: Wildlife Drive Open! Sunday, June 2: Monthly Bird Survey Saturday, June 8: Crane Creek Beach Cleanup June: Wildlife Drive Open every Saturday & Sunday
Visitor Center Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
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Thursday, March 14 at 7pm:
Online Program: Be a Better Birder with Chuck Otte. This program will be held online via Zoom. Registration is free but required. Register here.
Birders at all levels of experience can sometimes become overwhelmed trying to make a bird identification. Chuck will describe ways to become a better birder and pitfalls that many birders stumble into and how to avoid them. He will also emphasize that no matter what level of birder you want to be, enjoying the bird is first and foremost! Chuck Otte was employed by the Geary County, Kansas Extension Office/K-State Research and Extension from January 1982 thru September 2022. He was responsible for programming and educational efforts in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, and natural resource management including wildlife damage control.
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Thursday, April 4 at 7pm:
Discovering Ottawa: A Refuge Manager's Conservation Journey with Jason Lewis. This program will be held online via Zoom. Registration is free but required. Register here.
Join us for a presentation by Refuge Manager, Jason Lewis as he updates us on the refuge's habitat restoration projects.
Jason Lewis has served as the Project Leader at the Ottawa Refuge Complex since 2011. Prior to coming to Ottawa, Jason worked at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri, Big Oaks and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuges, both in Indiana, primarily as a wildlife biologist. He got his start in federal service through the Student Career Experience Program while in graduate school at Ball State University, Ohio. Lewis spends most of his time working with refuge staff and partners restoring, enhancing and protecting fish and wildlife habitats through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
For the full calendar of events visit our website.
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Ottawa NWR Monthly Census: March 3, 2024
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ROUTES: East Side, West Side, and Western Prairies in the morning; Auto Tour in the afternoon.
OBS. EAST: Jim Koppin, Jim Reyda, Al & Betty Schlecht. OBS. WEST: Susan Brauning, Katie Clink, Donna Kuhn, David & Kim Myles, James O'Brien, Chris Pierce, Tracy Wiczer. OBS. WESTERN PRAIRIES: Douglas W. Vogus. OBS. AUTO TOUR: Bob Bartolotta, Claire Johnson, Jim Koppin, Jim Reyda, Douglas W. Vogus.
TIME: 7:30am - 12:20pm; 1:20pm - 4:30pm TEMP.: 41F ~ 61F ~ 59F
COND.: Cloudy early and unseasonably pleasant; entire cloud shelf was blown north around 9:00am from south winds resulting in blue skies and breezy; mostly sunny in the afternoon; no snow cover and all water open; Lake Erie calm in the morning, but choppy in the afternoon as winds shifted to N/NE.
HIGHLIGHTS: A new census high was set for Trumpeter Swans with 512 individuals counted (previous high was 408 set in January 2020.) A Pileated Woodpecker was seen in the South Woods. This was the second Pileated Woodpecker recorded in March in the history of the census. There was also a Hermit Thrush counted, which was the first March record in the history of the census. Additionally, several reptile and amphibian species including Map Turtle (1), Painted Turtle (4), Blanding's Turtle (1), Eastern Garter Snake (1), and Northern Leopard Frog (1) were seen.
Thank you as always to Douglas W. Vogus of Akron, Ohio for compiling this list!
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Thank you for making a difference for birds and wildlife.
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Trumpeter Club
Aimee & Greg Arent | Dale Arnold | Bill and Dorthy Baker | Rob and Peg Bobel | Marie Brosi | Susi Brown | Tom and Chris Clevenger | Jerry Cooke | Joanne Darr | Martha Dreier | Letha Ferguson | Barbara Ford | Harvey and Scott Galloway | Suzan and Jim George | Kimberly Harder Danes | Gary Hawke | Heather Hodges | Jim and Becky Huebler | James Hullinger | Dave and Jackie Kwiatkowski | Dan Lea | Karen LeCompte | Bill and Caryn Long | Laura McCartney | Ronald Overmyer | Linda Patterson | Charles Pike | Greg and Stephanie Sanderson | Jack and Susie Solomon | Terry and Lori Totman
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Snowy Owl Club
Carol Fingerhut Janet Gross Eunice Koebel Karin McKenna Sharon and Mia Pesci
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Eagle Club Ruth Ann & Daniel Fraser Paul Jacyk
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