Friends News & Events
A conversation with Ojibwe Education Park Ranger Peyton Martinson
In August, 2023, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in partnership with Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, announced Peyton Martinson as the newly appointed park ranger cultural educator for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “In her new role, Peyton will...
How you can support the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Giving Tuesday 2023
On this Giving Tuesday, we want you to know that we’re very grateful for the success of Access for All. And we’re energized about doing even more to improve the Apostle Islands experience for a quarter-million people who visit the park every year. We’re committed to accessibilty, education, stewardship and service. We invite you to join us and give – on November 28th and every day – whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community. You can make your Giving Tuesday contribution on this page, or by visiting the Support Us page on our website.
Shop the Friends December sale for holiday gifts
Shop our December sale! Enjoy the discount and order before December 15th for the best chance of arrival before Christmas. Wear your official Friends hat. Drink a holiday toast to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in a Friends mug. Plan for your next paddling...
NPS craftsman Dave Brunsvold hangs up his tool belt
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is rich with history and thanks to the craftsmanship of talanted people, including the man you are about to meet, many of its most important buildings and artifacts are being restored, preserved and presented to teach and inspire generations of park visitors. After 23 years and countless projects to preserve the Apostle Islands’ historic buildings, Dave Brunsvold transitioned into retirement on October 19, 2023. Friends board member Neil Howk sat down Dave, to give him a tiny bit of the recognition he deserves for the marvelous work that he did.
Access for All!
Want to make a donation that goes straight to work as soon as you send it?
Each year, Friends features one important project and this year it is our Access for All campaign. Support the park’s efforts to build boardwalks, accessible campsites, include accessibility features on interpretative signs and websites, and make our park accessible to all. Make a difference now.
What are Friends for?
What is a Friends group? How do groups like ours help our national parks and specifically the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore? Watch our new video to learn the answers. We hope you’re inspired to join us.
Discover the Park
Twenty-one islands spread out over 750 square miles of Lake Superior, twelve miles of mainland shoreline, lighthouses, historic fisheries, sixty-six campsites, bears, beaches, sea caves, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a rich and complex landscape.
Explore the human and natural history of the lakeshore, explore each island, and start planning your next island adventure.
Lighthouses
Islands
Our Work
Friends is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of park visitors and supporting the priorities of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore staff. Founded in 2002, we undertake a wide variety of efforts, from fundraising for accessibility to tending historic gardens and supporting youth engagement programs.
Our priorities fall under four pillars. Learn more about them and how you can make a difference.
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Accessibility
Our strong partnerships with the National Park Service, the community, and park user groups are helping to identify and remove barriers for people of all abilities – from accessible campsites and audio-enhanced interpretive displays to stability pads at kayak launching sites. Click here to learn what your donations can help achieve as we plan for even bigger, exciting opportunities ahead.
Education
From youth engagement programs to symposiums and a podcast, lifelong learning is a key part of your park experience. You can support life-changing educational experiences for adults as well as the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates by exploring our online library.
Stewardship
Our parks are a legacy. To protect that legacy, Friends and its members work to preserve history through helping to fund the creation of a lighthouse tender now housed at Raspberry Island Light, installing bat houses and bear boxes to protect wildlife, working to fund the restoration of historic buildings and seeking the protection of our dark skies. Learn how you can help protect the legacy of your park through your support of Friends.
Service
Roll up your sleeves and pitch in. Our volunteers tend the flower gardens at the historic Michigan Island Light, plant beach grass to protect fragile sandscapes, clear trails, participate in beach cleanup and trail clearing. Are you ready to help out? Click here to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Why We Give
I support Friends because …
“Silence does not protect, nor educate so I add my voice to protecting and celebrating the islands and the water and the communities in which they exist.”
