Greg Sanderson Named Recipient Of The 2026 Refuge Volunteer Of The Year Award
For Immediate Release October 20th, 2026
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Honored For Technical Expertise & A Decade Of Dependable Service
Greg Sanderson, 2026 Refuge Volunteer of the Year, at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, OH | Sheri Trusty/Port Clinton News Herald
OAK HARBOR, OH - The National Wildlife Refuge Association has named Greg Sanderson, a volunteer at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, the recipient of the 2026 Refuge Volunteer of the Year Award. A retired railroad signalman, Sanderson is recognized for a decade of dependable service, practical problem solving, and improvements that help people experience the refuge both in person and from their homes.
Along the western basin of Lake Erie, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge protects wetlands, grasslands, and wooded habitats that provide resting, feeding, and nesting areas for migratory birds. Much of the surrounding landscape was once part of the Great Black Swamp. Today, the refuge helps conserve the natural heritage of the Great Lakes while offering opportunities for wildlife observation, education, and outdoor recreation.
Sanderson's work helps sustain that mission in ways visitors may not always see, from electrical repairs that keep buildings operating to the maintenance that keeps trails and public areas accessible. He began volunteering in 2016 and routinely contributes 20 to 25 hours each week, often working longer during major projects.
“Greg brings the kind of know-how that a refuge depends on, and he gives it so generously,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “When lightning damaged Ottawa’s visitor center, he helped get the doors open again. His work on wildlife cameras has also brought the refuge to people who can’t visit in person. That’s what I love about his story: he uses the skills he has to help more people experience a place he cares deeply about. A decade of that kind of commitment deserves to be celebrated.”
A Decade Of Dependable Service
Sanderson applies decades of technical experience to electrical work, equipment repairs, facility maintenance, habitat projects, and visitor infrastructure. Refuge staff rely on his ability to troubleshoot problems and develop practical solutions, helping complete work that might otherwise require outside contractors or be delayed when staff time is limited.
Greg Sanderson helping maintain the grounds at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, OH | Aimee Arent
His assignments range from mowing trails and dikes to rebuilding boardwalks and supporting restoration projects. During major maintenance team efforts, he has worked 12-hour days for two weeks at a time alongside refuge crews. He also helped the Friends group raise funds for a tractor used to maintain trails and public areas.
His work is part of a broader volunteer commitment to Ottawa. In 2025, 212 volunteers contributed 11,940 hours across the refuge complex. Within that community, Sanderson has become a trusted source of technical knowledge and steady help, particularly as refuge staff have faced growing demands with fewer people available to carry out the work.
Helping Reopen The Visitor Center After A Lightning Strike
Bald Eagle at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, OH | Tony Everhardt/USFWS
In April 2026, a lightning strike caused significant electrical damage to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center just before spring migration and the Biggest Week in American Birding. The timing threatened to disrupt refuge programs and services during one of the busiest periods for birding in the region.
Sanderson immediately helped refuge maintenance staff assess the damage, determine repair priorities, and restore critical electrical systems. The visitor center was closed for only one week and reopened in time to welcome visitors during the spring migration season. His expertise and willingness to respond helped reduce the disruption for staff, volunteers, and the public.
“Greg is one of those people who makes us wonder how we ever managed without him,” said Aimee Arent, Executive Director of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. “His seemingly endless skills are apparent in every project he takes on, but what makes Greg so special is that he shows up week after week because he genuinely loves this place and the people who are part of it. We are so fortunate to call him a Friend, and to have him as part of our refuge family.”
Bringing Refuge Wildlife To People Who Cannot Visit
Greg Sanderson observing Blake Mathys banding Barn Owls at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, OH | Aimee Arent
Sanderson has also helped install and maintain wildlife cameras at Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, Crane Creek, the Barn Owl nest box, and the Overlook. He worked with electricians, contractors, and refuge staff to help bring the cameras online, coordinating site visits and addressing technical needs while reducing demands on refuge employees.
At Cedar Point NWR, where much of the refuge is closed to public access, a live camera provides a way to see wildlife and marsh habitat that many people would otherwise never experience. The broader camera program also gives people who cannot travel to the refuge because of distance, health, age, or other circumstances a way to stay connected with its wildlife.
The project reflects the range of Sanderson's contributions. His maintenance expertise supports the physical systems that keep a refuge functioning, while his work with cameras expands its educational reach and makes conservation visible beyond the refuge's boundaries.
Sharing Skills & A Lasting Connection To Nature
Greg Sanderson and his granddaughter Holly exploring a gyotaku activity during a Veterans and Adaptive Angler Day event | Aimee Arent
Sanderson willingly teaches other volunteers, demonstrates techniques, and helps newer members of the refuge community develop their skills. His approachable manner and willingness to work alongside others strengthen the volunteer program and encourage people to take on projects they might not have attempted alone.
His involvement also extends to community outreach. He helped build the frame for the Friends group's bird-attracting scarecrow display in an Oak Harbor community contest, bringing his creativity and sense of humor to a project that introduced the refuge to a wider audience. He regularly participates in refuge events and shares his enthusiasm for conservation with visitors and local reporters.
For Sanderson, Ottawa is also a place of family and community. He and his wife, Stephanie, were married at the refuge in 2022, making it a particularly meaningful place for their family. Together, they support refuge events and the Friends group, and Greg has brought his granddaughter to explore nature and learn about wildlife. Those visits carry his connection to the refuge into the next generation.
“Greg’s work is a shining example of the dedication and service that volunteers bring to the National Wildlife Refuge System every day. More than 15,000 volunteers contribute over 800,000 hours annually, working alongside refuge staff to welcome visitors, maintain trails, monitor wildlife, restore habitat, and care for some of America’s most treasured wild places,” said Tom Worthington, Midwest Regional Representative of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “Volunteers like Greg strengthen the Refuge System with their energy, knowledge, and commitment while building connections between refuges and the communities they serve. The Refuge System could not fulfill its mission without them.”
His care for wildlife shows up in small moments, too. While mowing trails and dikes, Sanderson reports wildlife sightings to staff and stops to move turtles out of harm’s way.
The Refuge Volunteer of the Year award recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to the operation and management of national wildlife refuges. Sanderson is one of four recipients of the Refuge Association's 2026 National Wildlife Refuge Awards.
Learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge Awards at www.refugeassociation.org/awards.
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The National Wildlife Refuge Awards, presented annually by the National Wildlife Refuge Association since 1994, honor the exceptional contributions of volunteers, professionals, and partners who strengthen the National Wildlife Refuge System. The awards celebrate the people whose passion and dedication protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and connect communities to the natural world.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of public lands and waters in the world dedicated to wildlife conservation, encompassing more than 570 refuges and more than 850 million acres. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and offer opportunities for Americans to experience nature through hiking, hunting, birding, photography, and education.
As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to supporting the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the Refuge System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.
