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Annual Friends cruise celebrates Apostle Islands and people who love this special place

Annual Friends cruise celebrates Apostle Islands and people who love this special place

When you're among Friends, visiting one of the Apostle Islands becomes even more meaningful. Dozens of supporters of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boarded the Superior Princess on a breezy, sunny August day. During the annual Friends cruise, they enjoyed good food, good company and the unmatched beauty of islands. They heard an update on the Meyers Beach accessible path project, the largest Friends initiative to date. And they also received an invitation to continue their support. Not only for today, but for future generations.Welcome Aboard! Click to enlarge photosGuests...

Meyers Beach accessibility project under way

Meyers Beach accessibility project under way

With a turn of the shovel, the long-awaited Meyers Beach accessible path project has begun. A partnership between the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, and Friends of the Apostle Islands, the $690,000 project will replace the 47-step stairway down a 23-foot sand bank with an accessible 3% grade pathway leading to one of the most popular beaches and kayak launching sites in the Islands and the starting point for viewing the famous Ice Caves in the winter.“The units of our national park system belong to all of us,” says Jeff Rennicke, Executive Director of Friends of the...

Upcoming tree removal and summer construction progress at Meyers Beach

Upcoming tree removal and summer construction progress at Meyers Beach

Visitors to Meyers Beach will begin to see important early stage work this spring as the National Park Service continues progress on the new accessible path and staircase. On May 12, contractors will complete scheduled tree removal activities in the project area. While no public closures are expected, visitors may notice active crews and equipment on site throughout the day.Why tree removal is occurring nowTree felling must happen within a specific seasonal window to protect migratory bird species during their nesting period and to avoid disturbing roosting bats. Completing this work in...

Busy season: Summer gears up in the Apostle Islands

Busy season: Summer gears up in the Apostle Islands

Summer is gearing up in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It is going to be a busy season. Here is a rundown of important things to know to make the most of your island adventures.BAYFIELD HEADQUARTERS AND VISITOR CENTERThe main Visitor Center located in Bayfield will be open for the season beginning May 15th. Park staff will be available daily to provide information, issue camping permits, and sell interagency passes. The bookstore will also be open.ELECTRONIC PAYMENTSDue to a recent executive order, park fees will be moving to electronic forms of payment. Due to connectivity...

Friends Earth Day event draws dozens of volunteers, lakeshore lovers to Bayfield

Friends Earth Day event draws dozens of volunteers, lakeshore lovers to Bayfield

What's your memory of your first Earth Day, whether you were a college student or you were merely a figment of your future parents' imagination on April 22, 1970? Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke asked the audience step back in time as he recounted the history of Earth Day and it's everlasting connection to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.That connection is Wisconsin Governor and Senator Gaylord Nelson, a man inspired by the environmentally disastrous Santa Barbara oil spill of 1969 to change the world through environmental education and action. The next year, Earth Day was...

It’s happening at Meyers Beach!

It’s happening at Meyers Beach!

Thanks to the support of people like you, the National Park Service and Friends of the Apostle Islands are proud to announce the awarding of a construction contract for the accessible pathway at Meyers Beach. “As the access point for kayakers heading for the caves and to Meyers Beach, the new accessible walkway will be a kind of bridge to the beauties of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore,” says Jeff Rennicke, Executive Director of Friends. “It is another big and important step in our commitment to the idea that our Lakeshore belongs to all of us.”NPS graphic with diagram of Meyers Beach...

Love our Lakeshore: Why I wore my water shoes to work as a Sand Island volunteer

Love our Lakeshore: Why I wore my water shoes to work as a Sand Island volunteer

During this challenging time of change for our nation and for our national parks, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore wants to shine a bright light – a lighthouse beacon if you will – on this very special place and on the people dedicated to protecting the national lakeshore for future generations. That's the goal of our series entitled “Love our Lakeshore." In this report Friends of the Apostle Islands board member and former NPS ranger Neil Howk tells us what it's like to be a volunteer for the National Park Service, stationed on Sand Island or Waabaabikaa-minis. Sand Island...

Friends wins $10,000 grant from 100 Who Care of Ashland and Bayfield Counties

Friends wins $10,000 grant from 100 Who Care of Ashland and Bayfield Counties

Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is honored to receive $10,000 from the local civic group, 100 Who Care of Ashland and Bayfield Counties. Group members chose to support Friends following a presentation by our Executive Director Jeff Rennicke. He outlined how we would put $10,000 to good use, enhancing boater safety with the Wave Watch program, bringing history to life with our lighthouse gardening volunteers, offering scholarships for individuals with accessibility needs through our new Access Opportunity initiative, and inspiring the next generation of Lakeshore lovers...

Meyers Beach Project Update:  An open letter from Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke

Meyers Beach Project Update: An open letter from Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke

Dear Friends: The Board of Directors of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in consultation with its staff and the National Park Service, recently voted to delay the planned 2025-2026 construction of the all-accessible walkway at Meyers Beach after contractor bids for construction did not meet expectations. With so many of you playing a part in bringing the project this far, this close to becoming a reality, I wanted to be transparent about the decision, our reasoning, and the path forward to ensuring its eventual completion.Uncertainty over staffing levels and the potential...

Our website works for everyone: audit verifies Friends website is accessible

Our website works for everyone: audit verifies Friends website is accessible

National parks belong to all of us. So does the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore website, which monthly audits confirm is accessible for more than 30,000 online users who visit every year. Accessibility means our website includes features (like text descriptions of images and other content when you hover over them) and special tools to help people who may live with sight or hearing challenges.Accessibility is one of our organization's four pillars. Removing barriers for people of all abilities to learn about and enjoy the lakeshore takes many forms. Construction of an...