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OPEN, for now. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore staff are back at work

OPEN, for now. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore staff are back at work

“I can’t wait to get back to work.” Time and time again during what would become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, furloughed employees at the Lakeshore have expressed exactly this sentiment, a strong desire to get back to their jobs, doing the work they enjoy in a place that they love. When the federal government re-opened on Thursday, November 13th after a 43-day pause, the staff at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore was able to finally do exactly that.This reopening of the government was good news for all who love national parks, yet there remain many unanswered...

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore biologist Peggy Burkman retires, reflects on the Lakeshore she loves

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore biologist Peggy Burkman retires, reflects on the Lakeshore she loves

After more than two decades of work in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore biologist Peggy Burkman retired in May. Her appreciation for the islands extends from the many native animals, birds and plants that inhabit the islands, to the important ecosystems and beyond. Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore board member Neil Howk sat down with Peggy to ask ten questions about her work, her adventures and her love for the Lakeshore.Neil: Why did you apply to work in the Apostle Islands?Peggy: I think that my path to the Apostle Islands started when I was a kid because I fell in...

Love Our Lakeshore: Welcoming the Ajijaak to the National Park Service fleet

Love Our Lakeshore: Welcoming the Ajijaak to the National Park Service fleet

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." (You can tell us why you Love Our Lakeshore by filling out our simple form at this link.) In this report we explore how the latest park vessel signals a new era of water safety in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.The...

Love our Lakeshore: Water safety is a team effort in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Love our Lakeshore: Water safety is a team effort in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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." (You can tell us why you Love Our Lakeshore by filling out our simple form at this link.) In this report we explore how the work of keeping park visitors safe on the water requires a team approach and the vital resources of...

Love our Lakeshore: If you care about the national parks, then care about their employees

Love our Lakeshore: If you care about the national parks, then care about their employees

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. We're launching a series entitled "Love our Lakeshore." (You can tell us why you Love Our Lakeshore by filling out our simple form at this link.) We begin with some thoughts from former park ranger and current Friends board member Neil Howk.I love National Parks. That love affair...

“It basically becomes your life” – Lance Twombly reflects on more than a decade of service in the Apostle Islands

“It basically becomes your life” – Lance Twombly reflects on more than a decade of service in the Apostle Islands

"Once you work for the park service it becomes basically your life." After nearly a quarter century in the park service and a dozen years at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Supervisory Park Law Enforcement Ranger Lance Twombly is retiring at the end of March.  Lance sat down with Friends of the Apostle Islands board member Neil Howk to reminisce about his chosen career path and most memorable moments in the park, and to talk about what's next.Neil: Where did you grow up, Lance? Lance: I was born and raised in Northwood, New Hampshire until just after high school. It’s a small New...

Meet the new Apostle Islands National Lakeshore division chief: Lucas Westcott

Meet the new Apostle Islands National Lakeshore division chief: Lucas Westcott

It takes a strong team to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, while enhancing the experience for more than a quarter-million people who visit the park every year. With that in mind, Friends board member Neil Howk sat down with the park's new Director of Communications and Education, Lucas Westcott. They talked about the skills and experience Westcott brings to the park, his first impressions about what makes the Apostle Islands a special place and about the important work that's ahead.Neil: Where are you from Lucas?Lucas: Originally, I’m from...

New Ojibwe educator hired for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore  (Wenabozho ominisan)

New Ojibwe educator hired for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wenabozho ominisan)

Bayfield, WI – (National Park Service news release) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in partnership with Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, announce Peyton Martinson as the newly appointed park ranger cultural educator for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “In her new role, Peyton will work with the park’s visitor service and education team to enhance public and staff understanding of Ojibwe culture and help integrate Ojibwe language, traditional knowledge, and Ojibwe perspectives into park operations,” said Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Lynne Dominy. “She...

The scoop about Coop: 10 questions with retiring Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Archeologist Dave Cooper

The scoop about Coop: 10 questions with retiring Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Archeologist Dave Cooper

We join the National Park Service in celebrating the retirement of David J. Cooper, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Archeologist and Cultural Resource Manager. Superintendent Lynne Dominy recently praised Cooper's award-winning efforts. “Dave has spent his lifetime protecting the historical and cultural resources on and around Lake Superior." she said. "From portages to fish camps to lighthouses and shipwrecks, Dave carefully documented and communicated the human interactions and influences on the islands, shorelines, and lake beds of Lake Superior.” In the photo above, Dave enjoys a...

Oldest National Park Service Ranger retires at 100

Oldest National Park Service Ranger retires at 100

Our national parks are a place for all ages, young and old. No single person embodies that sentiment quite as well as Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service who retired recently at the age of 100. An interpretive ranger at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historic Park located in Richmond, CA, Soskin used her formidable and rich life experience to share the stories of the efforts of women from diverse backgrounds who worked, often unseen and unheralded, on behalf of the war effort. Her programs, says a recent National Park Service news release...