Friends
of the
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

March 2007

Outer Island  NPS Photo

Click images to enlarge. Images will load slowly on dial-up connections.

   2007 Friends Project Goals = $40,000

Your tax deductible
contributions to
 the Friends of the Apostle Islands
go to projects
within the
National Lakeshore not funded in the NPS budget.
 

*Publish the National Lakeshore Newsletter

*Fund a Park Ranger at Meyers Beach

*Fund "Around the Archipelago" Lecture Series

*Gaylord Nelson Memorial Garden Enhancement

* Fund vertical rub rails for Rocky Island Dock

* Fund extended hours at Bayfield Visitor Center

* Print brochures on high priority natural resource issues

*Pathfinders environmental learning project

*Sponsor volunteer work projects on Stockton Island, at Little Sand Bay, and Raspberry Island

May 22-24: Stockton & Raspberry Island Picnic Table
                       assembly & set-up  (4 volunteers)

May 29-31: Same as above

June 5-8: Stockton Island Triplex Staining (6 volunteers)

September 11-14: Stockton Island building staining (4 volunteers)

September 18-21: Devils or Sand Island Vista Cleaning

Members may sign up for one of these projects, and Friends will make arrangements for your transportation to and from the Islands. 

To volunteer for a project contact:

Bob Nelson
715-779-5283  or  rnelson@ncis.net

Must be a member of the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to participate.
These opportunities will fill quickly so sign up early.
 

Of course you get one of these Passports when you make a contribution and become a Member of Friends of the Apostle Islands.

That Passport also allows you to participate in any of the Volunteer Work Projects to be held on Raspberry Island, Stockton Island and at Little Sand Bay this summer. 

I want to thank you for your support of the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.  This year we are funding some new and exciting projects and will need additional resources for all we have set out to do.  New for this year are the picnic tables for Stockton and Raspberry Islands and the rub rails at Stockton Island. Both are vital to the enjoyable use of the Islands and the Friends are glad to provide this type of support.

Because of the new projects and the additional funds needed we are asking all of you to share the enclosed membership application with your friends. Or if you can, please consider an additional contribution for 2007.  We have pledged over $40,000 for projects at the National Lakeshore this year, and will have to work very hard to meet these goals.  Please send your contribution before April 1 so we can be
positive all projects will be fully funded.

We are also launching a business membership campaign in early summer, and developing a corporate sponsorship campaign as well.  Hopefully these added initiatives will help us, along with  your support, to reach our goals.

We are again offering to members only, the opportunity to volunteer for 7 projects on the Islands this summer and fall.  The list of projects and times is included in this newsletter, please consider this as a great way to spend some time on the Islands and help out with some very needed projects. "Voluntourism" is a way to vacation and give back all in one, and for members this is a free opportunity.  Thank you in advance for considering this program.

Again, as the President of this great organization I want to thank you for your continued support, and I want especially to thank the Board of Directors for all their hard work this year.
 

^{** Grand Reopening, by invitation only, Sunday, June 17}

^{** Public Opening on Monday, June 18 (including AICS cruises)}

^{Other projects:}

^{** Completion of the restoration of the Chequamegon Point tower on Long Island}

^{** Completion of Hokenson Twine Shed reconstruction--should reopen late summer or fall}

^{** Dredging at Little Sand Bay and hopefully Stockton-Presque Isle in response to near- record  low lake levels}

^{** Roof replacement on several outbuildings at Raspberry}

^{** Roof replacement at Old Michigan Island light}

^{** Roof replacement at Stockton-Presque Isle visitor center complex}

^{** Reconstruction of Historic Hokenson Fishery dock}

It is a big lake, and three other National Parks also have loyal supporters. To the north are Grand Portage National Monument and Isle Royale National Park. To the east is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation is a group which intends to provide philanthropic support for all four U.S. national park sites on Lake Superior. We welcome them to the community of park supporters.

More details are on their web site at  www.nationalparksoflakesuperior.org
and on the Friends site www.friendsoftheapostleislands.org/NPLSF.htm
 

A picture is worth . . .

Image from the book "Jewels on the Water," 

To purchase a copy for yourself, or as a gift,
visit the Friends website.