2025-04-22T09:09:51-04:00 2024-12-31 463287546 DEMARCO & ASSOCIATES CPAS LLC 845 COMMERCE DR PERRYSBURG OH 43551 990 2024-01-01 341904821 FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FRIE 4198980014 14000 W ST ROUTE 2 OAK HARBOR OH 43449 AIMEE ARENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4198980014 2025-03-31 true LESLIE A DEMARCO CPA CFE P00046767 4199310250 2025-04-02 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z PETE SCHWAGER 601856 false X WWW.FRIENDSOFOTTAWANWR.ORG X FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION MISSION OF OHIO'S ONLY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX BY ACQUIRING LAND, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, AND ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS. 12 12 4 70 0 800632 352940 41406 45099 28497 5630 92671 95741 963206 499410 0 0 106364 121593 0 0 486692 328768 593056 450361 370150 49049 1177468 1270975 53418 37817 1124050 1233158 X FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION MISSION OF OHIO'S ONLY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX BY ACQUIRING LAND, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, AND ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS. false false 100711 PUBLIC USE PROJECTS: FONWR CREATES A VISIBLE IMPACT ON OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BY CREATING, IMPROVING, AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC USE AREAS FOR THE REFUGE'S 400,000+ ANNUAL VISITORS. FUNDS THIS YEAR SUPPORTED FACILITIES MAINTENANCE INCLUDING VISITOR CENTER CLEANING CONTRACT AND BUILDING REPAIRS, IMPROVED PUBLIC ACCESS AT MARINEWOOD AND FOX UNITS, AND BUILT A SHED TO HOUSE VOLUNTEER EQUIPMENT AND THE ELECTRIC SHUTTLE. FONWR PURCHASED AN ACTION TRACKCHAIR THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE ON THE HIKING TRAILS AT NO COST. A FLEET OF KAYAKS AND TRAILER WERE PURCHASED TO PROVIDE PADDLING PROGRAMS ON THE REFUGE. FONWR ALSO PROVIDED FUNDING FOR TRAILS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE INCLUDING SIGNS FOR THE WILDLIFE DRIVE AND TREE TRAIL, AND MOWING CONTRACTS ON ALL SATELLITE PROPERTIES. FONWR ALSO MAINTAINED THREE WILDLIFE CAMERAS - ONE FOCUSED ON THE SHORELINE AT CEDAR POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, AND TWO IN A BARN OWL NEST BOX TO VIRTUALLY CONNECT AUDIENCES TO THIS REMOTE REFUGE. COMBINED, THE CAMERAS HAD OVER 100,000 VIEWS IN 2024 102175 YOUTH PROGRAMS: IT IS A PRIORITY OF FONWR TO CONNECT YOUTH WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON THE REFUGE. -- INTERNSHIPS: FONWR OFFERS INTERNSHIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS OR RECENT GRADUATES PURSUING DEGREES IN CONSERVATION FIELDS. INTERNS ASSIST WITH VISITOR SERVICES, BIOLOGY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR FONWR PROVIDED 6 INTERNSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 3,225.5 HOURS OF WORK AND FUNDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNS. --CAREER PATHWAYS: TOGETHER WITH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FONWR CONTINUED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM TO ALLOW INTERNS OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SELECTED TWO TECHNICIAN POSITIONS. THESE TECHNICIANS CONTRIBUTED 3,120 HOURS OF WORK FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, INTERN RECRUITMENT, AND INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECTS. -ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: FONWR SPONSORED FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION GRANTS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, BRINGING 111 STUDENTS TO THE REFUGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FONWR SPONSORED THE EARTH HEART FARMS FALL FIELD DAYS EVENT BY PROVIDING VOLUNTEER GUIDES AND A TENT FOR PARTICIPANT ACTIVITIES. FONWR PURCHASED ARCHERY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND SPONSORSHIP OF THE TURKEY HUNTING WORKSHOP AND YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING WORKSHOP REACHED OVER 50 YOUTH. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR AWARDED ITS FIRST TWO 2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO ARE PURSUING CONSERVATION CAREERS. 60970 HABITAT RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT: RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS COMPLETED BY FONWR AS RESOURCES ALLOW TO SUSTAIN THE GLOBALLY IMPORTANT STOPOVER HABITATS AT OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. TOGETHER WITH THE PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM, FONWR CONTINUED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO RESTORE WETLAND HABITAT ON PRIVATE LANDS. IN 2024, FUNDS WERE USED TO RESTORE 265 ACRES OF EMERGENT WETLAND AND 65 ACRES OF UPLAND POLLINATOR HABITAT ON 12 PARCELS OF PRIVATE LANDS. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR THE GLASS CITY BIRD CREW COLLISION MONITORING PROJECT IN DOWNTOWN TOLEDO, THE KONTZ UNIT RESTORATION PROJECT. 186505 45099 FONWR SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF THE OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BY HELPING TO PROTECT 11,245 ACRES FOR WILDLIFE AND FOSTERING ITS USE BY 400,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY. FONWR EXTENDS THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BY OPERATING A NATURE STORE WITHIN THE REFUGE VISITOR CENTER. THROUGH MARKETING AND OUTREACH, FONWR SHARES INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT THE REFUGE AND FRIENDS GROUP THROUGH EMAIL UPDATES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THE WWW.FRIENDSOFOTTAWANWR.ORG WEBSITE WHICH ALSO FEATURES THE ROOKERY NATURE STORE ONLINE. PRINTED QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS SHARE NEWS ABOUT REFUGE PROJECTS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND PROGRAM UPDATES TO KEEP VISITORS CONNECTED. OUTREACH EVENTS SUCH AS ART CLASSES AND NEST BOX BUILDING WORKSHOPS, LORAX DAY, CHILI COOK-OFF, MIGRATION-A-THON, HOWL- OWEEN, AND THE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE BRING NEW USER GROUPS TO THE REFUGE GROUNDS TO DIVERSIFY VISITATION AND DEEPEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. 186505 45099 450361 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 27 0 4 true false false false false false false false false X 12 12 false false false false false false false true true false false true true false false true true false false false OH X KENDRA FOUST 4198980014 14000 WEST STATE ROUTE 2 OAK HARBOR OH 43449 PETE SCHWAGER PRESIDENT 5.00 X X 0 0 0 TAJINDER SINGH VICE PRESIDE 2.00 X X 0 0 0 KENDRA FOUST SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 RON OVERMYER TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 TARA BOSTATER BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL HOUSE BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JACOB PRICE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARY WILLOUGHBY BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 SARA SHERICK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOEY WARNER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JIM KRIEGER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JUSTIN WOLDT BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 AIMEE ARENT EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 73080 0 0 73080 false false false 140000 212940 352940 MEMBERSHIPS 45099 45099 45099 5630 5630 41720 14540 27180 156467 87906 68561 68561 499410 113660 5630 73080 73080 39755 39755 8758 8758 2087 2087 11754 11754 25671 25671 7873 7873 2399 2399 297 297 1418 1418 2339 2339 REFUGE SUPPORT 155342 155342 GRANT EXPENSES 112577 112577 BOARD EXPENSES 3648 3648 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DUES 1599 1599 1764 1764 450361 450361 0 0 317237 452926 40770 41112 10000 9260 1507 740 806585 769786 11369 6411 1177468 1270975 2688 2446 50730 35371 53418 37817 X 1124050 1233158 1124050 1233158 1177468 1270975 49049 44699 15360 X false false false X 139578 485704 440427 800632 352940 2219281 139578 485704 440427 800632 352940 2219281 2219281 74 21 62 1864 5630 7651 2226932 780424 0.99660 0.98720 X PART II, LINE 10 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 10000 9260 740 740 US FISH & WILDLIFE - MMA 35371 35371 SUNSET CRUISES 37595 37595 14490 37595 37595 14490 14490 23105 FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A PUBLIC USE PROJECTS: FONWR CREATES A VISIBLE IMPACT ON OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BY CREATING, IMPROVING, AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC USE AREAS FOR THE REFUGE'S 400,000+ ANNUAL VISITORS. FUNDS THIS YEAR SUPPORTED FACILITIES MAINTENANCE INCLUDING VISITOR CENTER CLEANING CONTRACT AND BUILDING REPAIRS, IMPROVED PUBLIC ACCESS AT MARINEWOOD AND FOX UNITS, AND BUILT A SHED TO HOUSE VOLUNTEER EQUIPMENT AND THE ELECTRIC SHUTTLE. FONWR PURCHASED AN ACTION TRACKCHAIR THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE ON THE HIKING TRAILS AT NO COST. A FLEET OF KAYAKS AND TRAILER WERE PURCHASED TO PROVIDE PADDLING PROGRAMS ON THE REFUGE. FONWR ALSO PROVIDED FUNDING FOR TRAILS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE INCLUDING SIGNS FOR THE WILDLIFE DRIVE AND TREE TRAIL, AND MOWING CONTRACTS ON ALL SATELLITE PROPERTIES. FONWR ALSO MAINTAINED THREE WILDLIFE CAMERAS - ONE FOCUSED ON THE SHORELINE AT CEDAR POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, AND TWO IN A BARN OWL NEST BOX TO VIRTUALLY CONNECT AUDIENCES TO THIS REMOTE REFUGE. COMBINED, THE CAMERAS HAD OVER 100,000 VIEWS IN 2024 FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B YOUTH PROGRAMS: IT IS A PRIORITY OF FONWR TO CONNECT YOUTH WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON THE REFUGE. -- INTERNSHIPS: FONWR OFFERS INTERNSHIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS OR RECENT GRADUATES PURSUING DEGREES IN CONSERVATION FIELDS. INTERNS ASSIST WITH VISITOR SERVICES, BIOLOGY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR FONWR PROVIDED 6 INTERNSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 3,225.5 HOURS OF WORK AND FUNDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNS. --CAREER PATHWAYS: TOGETHER WITH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, FONWR CONTINUED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM TO ALLOW INTERNS OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SELECTED TWO TECHNICIAN POSITIONS. THESE TECHNICIANS CONTRIBUTED 3,120 HOURS OF WORK FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, INTERN RECRUITMENT, AND INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECTS. -ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: FONWR SPONSORED FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION GRANTS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, BRINGING 111 STUDENTS TO THE REFUGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FONWR SPONSORED THE EARTH HEART FARMS FALL FIELD DAYS EVENT BY PROVIDING VOLUNTEER GUIDES AND A TENT FOR PARTICIPANT ACTIVITIES. FONWR PURCHASED ARCHERY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND SPONSORSHIP OF THE TURKEY HUNTING WORKSHOP AND YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING WORKSHOP REACHED OVER 50 YOUTH. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR AWARDED ITS FIRST TWO 2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO ARE PURSUING CONSERVATION CAREERS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D FONWR SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF THE OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BY HELPING TO PROTECT 11,245 ACRES FOR WILDLIFE AND FOSTERING ITS USE BY 400,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY. FONWR EXTENDS THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BY OPERATING A NATURE STORE WITHIN THE REFUGE VISITOR CENTER. THROUGH MARKETING AND OUTREACH, FONWR SHARES INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT THE REFUGE AND FRIENDS GROUP THROUGH EMAIL UPDATES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THE WWW.FRIENDSOFOTTAWANWR.ORG WEBSITE WHICH ALSO FEATURES THE ROOKERY NATURE STORE ONLINE. PRINTED QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS SHARE NEWS ABOUT REFUGE PROJECTS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND PROGRAM UPDATES TO KEEP VISITORS CONNECTED. OUTREACH EVENTS SUCH AS ART CLASSES AND NEST BOX BUILDING WORKSHOPS, LORAX DAY, CHILI COOK-OFF, MIGRATION-A-THON, HOWL- OWEEN, AND THE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE BRING NEW USER GROUPS TO THE REFUGE GROUNDS TO DIVERSIFY VISITATION AND DEEPEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD WILL REVIEW THE FORM 990 AND ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 NO DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.