Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

10/18/2026

We've enjoyed celebrating with you! As a bonus, check out some behind the scenes footage from West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge with Tom Bartlett, a researcher and USFWS volunteer with over 50 years of field research, teaching, and conservation experience.



Captions: "Hi, my name is Tom Bartlett. I'm part of the nest survey team this year. The first time I came was in June of 1976, and I haven't been on every year but I've been on probably 15-20 times. It's just such a neat place, but it's interesting to see how it changed from ‘76 to now. In ‘76 there was a small pasture on the island, and I did see a bobolink that day. Laurel VanCamp, if anybody knows him, he was the one who would bring us over and a couple times we came over and banded night herons. Then in the late ‘80s and the ’90s, I came with Mark Shieldcastle, and we did more banding. Then I was off and on until probably 10-12 years ago, and I got asked to help with nest surveys. That's been kind of fun. Thank you."

Alt text: The video starts with a view of West Sister Island and the lighhouse from the water. Then, it transitions to an interview with a man wearing glasses, a tan hat, light blue shirt, backpack, and compass and binoculars around his neck. As he talks, there are other videos interspersed of him walking through tall green vegetation as well as a video of two white birds in a nest in a tree. At the end, there is a picture of the nest survey team made up of 11 people in field gear on a rocky beach as well as a picture of Tom looking up into the canopy through his binoculars.

10/17/2026

We hope you’ve enjoyed celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week with us and learning more about the other National Wildlife Refuges in our region. Feeling inspired to go explore your public lands?

Please share in the comments why you think everyone should come visit Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and if you have any recommendations. Then, go give the other refuges a “like” on Facebook and read through the comments on their matching post to give you some ideas as you start planning your trip!

Learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge System here: https://www.fws.gov/program/national-wildlife-refuge-system.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.

10/16/2026

We are wrapping up with a final refuge spotlight!

The 10,000-acre Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1953 for use as an inviolate sanctuary and for any other management purposes of migratory birds. Since its establishment, the refuge has shown its importance to migratory waterfowl, including Canada geese and American black ducks, the production of waterfowl, and for other wildlife. During the spring and fall migrations, tens of thousands of migratory birds pass through the refuge along the Mississippi Flyway.

The refuge’s bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands provide critical ecological services to the surrounding communities. In 2020, a record-breaking flood occurred upstream from the refuge, and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge absorbed millions of gallons of water, to the point that the entire refuge was under ten feet of water. This lessened the flood impacts to Saginaw, Bay City, and surrounding communities.

The refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset, with the refuge headquarters open Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Activities in the refuge include driving the 7-mile wildlife drive (open seasonally), hiking and biking along more than 12 miles of trails, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, and fishing.



Photo: A view of the wetlands in Shiawassee NWR by A. Martinson/USFWS.

10/15/2026

Another refuge in our series is Erie National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1959 with funds provided from the sale of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, more commonly known as Duck Stamps. The refuge covers almost 9,000 acres of forest, wetland, and shrubland habitat that supports waterfowl, migratory birds, and other wildlife species. The refuge is not on the shores of Lake Erie, but lies in Crawford County, 35 miles south of the city of Erie and Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The refuge’s diverse aquatic habitats support 60+ fish species and 22 freshwater mussel species! Erie NWR is the only refuge in the nation protecting the endangered northern riffleshell and clubshell mussels.

Refuge outdoor facilities are open daily, ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. The refuge has 5 hiking trails (3 in the Sugar Lake Division, and 2 in the Seneca Division) which cover over 8 miles, and offers ample opportunities to enjoy wildlife and nature, from wildlife photography, to fishing and hunting, and cross-country skiing in the winter!



Photo: A small stream flows through a dense and heavily shaded hemlock grove in the Seneca Division of Erie National Wildlife Refuge by Y. Laskaris/USFWS.

10/14/2026

As we continue celebrating , we are highlighting other refuges within a day's drive from Ottawa NWR. Next up is Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1990 to protect, conserve, and restore habitat for wildlife native to the river and its floodplain. Refuge islands are gradually returning to forested conditions after years of farming, oil and gas extraction, and other activities. Migratory birds and endangered freshwater mussels are among the important wildlife emphasized for protection on the refuge, which consists of twenty-four islands and four mainland tracts scattered along 362 miles of the upper Ohio River. The refuge is important in conserving the "wild" Ohio within one of our nation's busiest inland waterways.

The refuge visitor center in Williamstown, WV is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Trails at the visitor center and on the Middle Island unit are open from dawn until dusk.

The refuge is an excellent place for birding throughout the year and also offers fishing and seasonal hunting.



Photo: The tangled roots of a silver maple on the shore of Phyllis Island, part of Ohio River Islands NWR by Michael Schramm/USFWS.

10/13/2026

Next in our series is a refuge nestled in Western New York between Buffalo and Rochester: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for wildlife and people alike. Established in 1958, the refuge spans over 10,800 acres of diverse habitats, including marshes, swamps, forests, and grasslands. This rich mosaic of ecosystems provides critical habitat for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors like the bald eagle and osprey.

With over 7 miles of nature trails and several scenic overlooks, Iroquois NWR offers excellent opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset, offering a peaceful retreat into nature year-round.

Visitors can begin their journey at the refuge’s visitor center in Basom, NY which is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm and offers interactive exhibits, restrooms, and shopping at the Friends of Iroquois NWR Flyway Nature Store when volunteers are available!

Recreation at Iroquois NWR spans all four seasons, with activities including wildlife observation, fishing, paddling, and regulated hunting. Whether you're hoping to catch a glimpse of migrating warblers in spring, paddle through the Oak Orchard Creek in summer, or spot waterfowl during the fall migration, there’s always something to discover!

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities, check out the refuge website (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois) or follow Iroquois NWR on Facebook!



Photo: A wetland at Iroquois NWR by Jessika Bulera/USFWS.

10/12/2026

We are celebrating , by highlighting other refuges within a day or weekend trip from Ottawa NWR. Today's refuge is Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Established as the nation’s 500th national wildlife refuge back in 1994, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge protects relict boreal forest and the largest wetland complex in central and southern Appalachia in the high-elevation Canaan Valley. The plant communities found in the valley are more reminiscent of those in southern Canada than the rest of West Virginia, earning itself the moniker, “A Little Bit of Canada Gone Astray.” The nearly 19,000-acre refuge provides important habitat for migratory birds as well as threatened and endangered species.

The refuge has over 34 miles of trails to explore and is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. You can start your adventure by going to the Visitor Center in Davis, WV, open Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm.

The refuge offers four seasons of recreation with trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as well as abundant opportunities for fishing and seasonal hunting. A great way to connect with the refuge is by attending a guided program, offered on most weekends throughout the year. Check out the events tab on the website (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/canaan-valley/events) or page for more details!



Photo: A photo of a grassy wetland in Canaan Valley NWR by Ken Sturm/USFWS.

10/11/2026

We are starting off this series with Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (Detroit River IWR)! Established in 2001 on former factory brownfield, the Detroit River IWR is located in Trenton, MI. Detroit River IWR is the only international wildlife refuge in North America, and sprawls more than 6,000 acres of discontinuous lands along a major migratory bird pathway.

Trails, grounds, and a 700-foot long fishing pier are open during daylight hours. The John D. Dingell, Jr. Visitor Center is open Thursday-Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm year round. The front desk lends out free binoculars, fishing poles, tackle boxes, and explorer backpacks. Free programs including Story Time, First Thursday Hikes, and more are offered to all ages all year long and can be found on Facebook or the website (www.fws.gov/refuge/detroit-river).



Photo: The JohnD Dingell Visitor Center is located at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, with a prairie full of black-eyed susans and other native flowers and grasses in the foreground by Maddie Drury/USFWS.

10/10/2026

Today is Urban Wildlife Conservation Day, which is part of the National Wildlife Refuge Week celebration. This day recognizes urban national wildlife refuges, urban wildlife conservation partnerships, and migratory bird treaty cities for enriching the lives of Americans and their communities.

80% of Americans live in or near cities, and urban national wildlife refuges provide vital access to nature and outdoor recreation, boosting residents’ physical and psychological well-being.

More than 100 wildlife refuges, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are located within 25 miles of a city of 250,000 or more people. Urban wildlife refuges are committed to deepening human connections with nature and protecting the thriving ecosystems we depend on and also promote local economies.

These unique spaces offer Americans nearby outdoor recreation opportunities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, and fishing all near city living. People thrive on nature, wherever they live. What is your nearest National Wildlife Refuge? Explore them all here: https://www.fws.gov/locations.



Photo: A park ranger shows a fish to a group of adults and children during the Spring Detroit River Water Festival at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge by Michael Schindler/USFWS.

10/09/2026

National Wildlife Refuge Week, observed the second full week of October each year, celebrates the great network of lands and waters that conserves and protects Americans’ precious wildlife heritage. This year, National Wildlife Refuge Week takes place October 10th through 17th.

We know you’re familiar with Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and all the incredible things you can see and do here, but did you know that the refuge system includes over 570 national wildlife refuges representing all 50 states and five territories? As we celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week this year, we’d like to highlight some of the other National Wildlife Refuges in the region. Stay tuned over the next week to learn more about your public lands that are just a day or weekend trip away! At refuges that charge an entrance fee, those fees will be waived on Sunday, October 11th!

Learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge System here: https://www.fws.gov/program/national-wildlife-refuge-system.



Photo: Sunrise over a marsh at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge by T. Everhardt.