Friends volunteers tend Gaylord Nelson Memorial Garden, first of many gardening opportunities

Volunteer gardeners tend Gaylord Nelson Memorial Garden

May 22, 2026

Prairie Alumroot - Jon Okerstrom photo

Prairie Alumroot – Jon Okerstrom photo

The first green shoots emerge from the warming earth as spring arrives in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Outside of park headquarters in Bayfield and on the grounds of iconic island lighthouses, the gardens will grow, with help from green-thumbed Friends of the Apostle Islands volunteers.

A team of five volunteers recently worked in the Gaylord Nelson Memorial Garden, clearing away last year’s plant debris, pulling weeds, placing signs identifying the plants and refreshing the wood chips covering the paths. The project organizer says the garden will be ready for the annual Bayfield in Bloom event, May 29th through June 6th.

Established in 2006, the garden features native wildflowers and plants. It serves as a living legacy to the Wisconsin Governor, Senator and Earth Day founder, Gaylord Nelson. Nelson’s other big idea was the creation of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. After years of work by Nelson and others, President Richard Nixon signed the legislation into law on September 26th, 1970.

High Bush Cranberry sign

High Bush Cranberry sign

Emerging High Bush Cranberry leaves

Emerging High Bush Cranberry leaves

Wild Columbine sign

Wild Columbine sign

Cutleaf Coneflower sign

Cutleaf Coneflower sign

Pasque Flower sign

Pasque Flower sign

Wild Bergamon sign

Wild Bergamon sign

The Gaylord Nelson Memorial Garden is one of three locations where Friends of the Apostle Islands volunteers will work to establish and maintain this summer. Volunteer missions to plant the flower and vegetable gardens on Raspberry Island and to plant and maintain the historic gardens on the grounds of the Mighigan Island lighthouses are also planned, in partnership with the National Park Service. Each project has a team leader, experienced with that particular task. Volunteer Coordinator Jill Rennicke organizes the teams from our growing list of volunteers and documents volunteer hours.

Low-angle shot of Love Our Lakeshore sign, garden, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore sign and park headquarters - Jon Okerstrom photo

Low-angle view of the garden – Jon Okerstrom photo

Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke says “we’re working with the National Park Service to expand volunteer opportunities this season.” Planned activities range from gardening to beach clean-up and trail clearing. Rennicke says, “Our goal is to help the Park Service as much as we can, knowing that these are challenging times. Volunteer activities help us fulfill our Service Pillar, one of four guiding pillars or priorities. The end result is beautiful, historically accurate gardens and a better experience for thousands of Lakeshore visitors.”

Interpretive sign about the Gaylord Nelson Garden and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore sign in the garden

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