2026-03-16T15:00:32-04:00 2025-12-31 463287546 DEMARCO & ASSOCIATES CPAS LLC 845 COMMERCE DR PERRYSBURG OH 43551 990 2025-01-01 341904821 FRIENDS OF OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FRIE 4198980014 14000 W ST ROUTE 2 OAK HARBOR OH 43449 AIMEE ARENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4198980014 2026-02-09 LESLIE A DEMARCO CPA CFE P00046767 4199310250 2026-03-05 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z PETE SCHWAGER 608639 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 3 71 0 352940 382731 45099 50840 5630 6324 95741 77244 499410 517139 0 0 121593 123694 0 0 328768 362436 450361 486130 49049 31009 1270975 1369154 37817 39140 1233158 1330014 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 23493 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 ESSENTIAL OPERATIONAL COSTS TO KEEP THE VISITOR CENTER STAFFED AND WELCOMING TO VISITORS. FONWR ALSO PROVIDED FUNDING FOR TRAILS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, AND MOWING CONTRACTS ON SOME SATELLITE PROPERTIES. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR 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. 123432 34180 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 10 INTERNSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 4,018 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 40 STUDENTS TO THE REFUGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FONWR SPONSORED THE TURKEY HUNTING WORKSHOP AND YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING WORKSHOP WHICH REACHED OVER 50 YOUTH CONSERVATIONISTS. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR AWARDED TWO 2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO ARE PURSUING CONSERVATION CAREERS. 137553 136053 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 2025, FUNDS WERE USED TO RESTORE OVER 300 ACRES OF HABITAT ACROSS 10 PRIVATE-LANDS PROJECTS IN OTTAWA, SANDUSKY, AND ERIE COUNTIES. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR FUNDED SUPPORT FOR THE KONTZ WETLAND DELINEATION AND SHEET PILE INSTALLATION, PROVIDING PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO PROTECT RESTORED WETLANDS. 201652 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. ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS SUCH AS LORAX DAY, CHILI COOK-OFF, MIGRATION-A-THON, HOWLOWEEN, AND THE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE BRING NEW USER GROUPS TO THE REFUGE GROUNDS TO DIVERSIFY VISITATION AND DEEPEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. 201652 486130 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 14 0 3 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 PETE SCHWAGER 4198980014 14000 WEST STATE ROUTE 2 OAK HARBOR OH 43449 TAJINDER SINGH PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PETE SCHWAGER VICE PRESIDE 5.00 X X 0 0 0 TARA BOSTATER SECRETARY 7.00 X X 0 0 0 RON OVERMYER TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JACOB PRICE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARA SHERICK BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 JOEY WARNER BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 JIM KRIEGER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JUSTIN WOLDT BOARD MEMBER 0.75 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL O'TOOLE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CAROL FINGERHUT BOARD MEMBER 2.25 X 0 0 0 KENDA LENTZ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 AIMEE ARENT EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 80000 0 2035 80000 2035 false false false 222640 160091 382731 MEMBERSHIPS 50840 50840 50840 6324 6324 16964 7422 9542 151780 84078 67702 67702 517139 118542 6324 82035 82035 32086 32086 879 879 8694 8694 2399 2399 9764 9764 24600 24600 6185 6185 2056 2056 211 211 2356 2356 GRANT EXPENSES 180373 180373 REFUGE SUPPORT 121748 121748 LAND ACQUISITIONS 5600 5600 BOARD EXPENSES 3033 3033 4111 4111 486130 486130 0 0 452926 475277 41112 49113 10000 9471 740 529 769786 837535 6411 6700 1270975 1369154 2446 3645 35371 35495 37817 39140 X 1233158 1330014 1233158 1330014 1270975 1369154 31009 62588 3259 X false false false X 485704 440427 800632 352940 382731 2462434 485704 440427 800632 352940 382731 2462434 2462434 21 62 1864 5630 6324 13901 2476335 944780 0.99440 0.99660 X PART II, LINE 10 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 10000 9471 529 529 US FISH & WILDLIFE - MMA 35495 35495 SUNSET CRUISES 14527 14527 7422 14527 14527 7422 7422 7105 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 10 INTERNSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 4,018 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 40 STUDENTS TO THE REFUGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FONWR SPONSORED THE TURKEY HUNTING WORKSHOP AND YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING WORKSHOP WHICH REACHED OVER 50 YOUTH CONSERVATIONISTS. ADDITIONALLY, FONWR AWARDED 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. ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ART CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS SUCH AS LORAX DAY, CHILI COOK-OFF, MIGRATION-A-THON, HOWLOWEEN, 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.