Strength through the storm: Friends publishes 2024 Annual Report

Waves hitting sandstone cliff - Jeff Rennicke photo

April 24, 2025

A strong 2024 positions Friends for the challenges ahead.

In light of the chaos facing national parks across the country and the Apostle Islands already in 2025, it may seem strange to see our Annual Report celebrating a successful 2024 for Friends of the Apostle Islands arrive in your mailbox. But it is the very strength gained from those successes that uniquely positions Friends to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Love Our Lakeshore logo and photo collage from 2024 Annual Report

Like waves in the wind, this last year has been storm-tossed and exhilarating – a successful completion of the largest capital campaign in our organization’s history, surpassing the $1 million mark in support given to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the first-ever visit by a sitting Director of the National Park Service, a safe and successful first season for our Wave Watch program with over 30,000 visits to the vital wave data page, and topped off by the recent “Bright Idea” award from the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism for our “efforts that foster a welcoming environment and authentic experiences for all visitors.”

But as 2024 turned to a new year, the National Park Service in 2025 is now facing challenges never before seen in its more than 100-year history – hiring freezes, staff reductions, budget constraints and more – challenges which could lead to reduced hours at visitor centers, fewer services in the park, and a more uncertain future.

Through it all Friends remains strong in its support of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, its dedicated and professional staff, and its mission of protecting the cultural and natural resources of our National Lakeshore. With the added strength of recent successes and the continued support of people like you, we will stand steadfast against the storm and united in support of the islands you love.

Thank you for a strong 2024. Join us in 2025. Let’s redouble our efforts and work together to be even stronger against whatever storms the coming year may have in store for us. View a PDF version of our 2024 Annual Report here.

Jeff & Jill Rennicke, Executive Directors

Jeff and Jill Rennicke signature

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