Adopt a Monarch to support Ottawa Refuge

        Remember when Monarch butterflies descended on Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in September 2018 on their 3,000-mile migration south to Mexico?
        Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is offering a unique opportunity to help support wildlife and habitat conservation efforts where it matters most.
        “The Adopt a Monarch program was launched in August as a way to share our love of nature with the community while raising funds for the wildlife refuge,” said Aimee Arent, Friends Executive Director. “We normally raise monarchs in the Refuge Visitor Center for people to learn more about their life cycle and migration. With our Visitor Center still closed, this has become a fun way for us to stay connected.”
        Those who Adopt a Monarch through Friends of Ottawa NWR will receive:
        • Personalized video of monarch being tagged and released.
        • Unique tag code and “naming rights” for the butterfly.
        • A certificate of adoption.
        • An Ottawa Refuge Monarch patch.
        • A pack of common milkweed seeds to help create habitat for monarchs.
        Monarchs can be adopted on the Friends website at www.friendsofottawanwr.org/adopt-a-monarch.html for a $50 donation to Friends of Ottawa NWR. Those who adopt a monarch will receive a personalized video of their monarch being tagged and released via email and the other materials will be mailed within two business days of release. The Adopt a Monarch Program will be available through Sept. 30 or until all reared monarchs are adopted.
        “Butterfly releases are a meaningful, eco-friendly alternative to balloon or lantern releases in honor or in memory of loved ones.” Arent said. “Others name their butterfly something humorous—one of my favorites so far has been ‘Ima Flutterby.’”
        Those who wish to look for migrating monarchs may do so on the Ottawa Refuge hiking trails from sunrise to sunset daily. The Wildlife Drive is also scheduled to be open weekends through Sept. 20 (closed Sept. 13). Peak monarch migration in NW Ohio is typically the first two weeks of September.
        Donations help to support conservation efforts at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge including land restoration, youth services, and public access projects.
        Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)3 non-profit established in 1997 to promote the preservation of the natural and historical resources of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, the only National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the state, located at 14000 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449.