
The Apostle Islands are a homeland, a place of adventure, solace and beauty, a
fascinating natural laboratory, habitat for diverse plant and animal communities, a refuge for those that are rare, and a place of national significance. Over time there have been many who have worked tirelessly and passionately to learn, understand, and uncover secrets of this “special collection of islands.”
During this presentation, I will provide an overview of the history of natural resource management and research at the national lakeshore over the past 5 decades – highlighting changing issues and needs; the collaborative relationship between the park, researchers, and partners; explain how technology has transformed our ability to read the pulse of the resource; share a few stories not told by other presenters; and to say thank you to all who have cared for and will continue to steward our Apostle Islands.
Julie Van Stappen, Apostle Islands NL
Presenter biography:

For more than 30 years, Julie has had the great honor to work with dedicated and passionate staff, researchers, and partners in the resource management and stewardship of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Prior to her current position as Chief of Resource Management, she was the Branch Chief of Natural Resource Management and prior to that, the park’s Natural Resource Management Specialist.
Her first NPS job was as a seasonal at Glacier National Park. This is where her dream of working for the National Park Service in resource management began. She’s also worked at the Pacific-West Region, Olympic National Park, the NPS geologic resource division, and the Midwest Regional Office. She received her MS in Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and BS in geology from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
To sample more sessions choose below

50 Years of Archeology at the Apostle Islands

A Retrospective – Research and Resource Management at Apostle Islands NL

A singing wilderness: Songbirds of the Apostle Islands

A Vulnerability Assessment for Terrestrial Ecosystems

American Martens on the Apostle Islands

Amphibians of the Apostle Islands

Apostle Islands Flora

Emerging Water Resource Issues in the Apostle Islands

Fifty Years of Cultural Resource Research at Apostle Islands NL

Gaylord Nelson: mover, shaker, deal-maker

Longitudinal Trends and Ecology of the Small Mammal Community

New Insights Into the Dynamics of Apostle Islands Carnivore Communities

Past, Present and Future of Fire in the Apostle Islands

Past, present and future of fisheries management in the Apostle Islands

Past, present, and future of piping plovers in the Apostle Islands

Resiliency and vulnerability of Apostle Islands coastal wetlands

Through the eyes of 4th graders

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Under the surface and Zaaga’igan Ma’iinganag (lakewolves)
