Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Privacy Policy

At Friends of the Apostle Islands, your privacy matters to us. Whether you are donating, asking a question, joining our mailing list, or signing up for an event, Friends works to honor and respect your privacy.

Personally Identifiable Information: Friends of the Apostle Islands receives your specific data only when you provide that information voluntarily through filling out a form to be added to our mailing lists, donating, signing up to volunteer, or requesting more information from us. We promise you that this information will be used only to fulfill your specific request, to keep you informed about Friends projects and events, or to make you aware of important information regarding the islands or our organization.

Friends will never sell or trade your personal information to any other company, organization, or government agency.

Donation Information: Your generous donations to our organization are vital to our success. Because we honor your donation, we often recognize gifts in such places as our Annual Report using only your name and the general category of the gift. No contact information is released through our Annual Report. You have the right to opt out of such recognition by simply requesting that your donation and your name not be made public.

Your information is collected in our database for internal use only so that we may keep you informed of such things as upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and special projects. Friends will never sell or trade your personal information to any other company, organization, or government agency.

Please note that with respect to on-line donations made via credit card, we receive only the name of the donor, their address (if provided), the amount of the donation and the purpose for which it was made. No credit card information, i.e., the name on the card, the number, expiration date, issuing company, etc., is provided to us. Such information is strictly a matter between the donor and our processing agent, PayPal.

Non-personal (Generic) Information: Friends of the Apostle Islands does gather some generic, non-personal information automatically from users of our website. This generic information does not reveal the identity of the visitor. It usually includes information about the number and frequency of visitors to our website, which web pages were visited, and the type of browser used to reach the site. Friends gathers this information for the limited purpose of monitoring website traffic, page usage, and determining customer service and website improvements.

Exceptions and Limitations: Notwithstanding the foregoing and in compliance with applicable laws, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (i) cooperates fully with state, local, and federal officials in any investigation relating to any content (including personal or private electronic communications transmitted to Friends) or purported unlawful activities of any user of the website, and (ii) takes reasonable measures to protect its proprietary rights. For the limited purposes of accomplishing such cooperation and measures and in compliance with applicable laws, Friends could be required to disclose personally identifiable information.

Because of our privacy policy, we hope you can enjoy our website, sign up for our newsletter, join our organization, shop, and make donations with confidence that Friends of the Apostle Islands respects and honors your privacy to the fullest extent possible. We are glad that you are here and care about the islands. We will do all we can to make your online experience safe, enjoyable, and private.

This policy may change from time to time without notice, so please check back periodically to review this information.

Your Friends at Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore provides $57 million in economic benefits for northern Wisconsin

Aug 22, 2023 | News

When you visit the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, your spending has a positive economic ripple effect in nearby northern Wisconsin communities. A new report says that in 2022, more than a quarter-million park visitors generated nearly $57 million in economic benefits for the region. Nationallly, park visits grew 5% in 2022, to 312 million recreation visits. Researchers say visitation has now returned to pre-pandemic levels. Those visitors spent a record high $50.3 billion, benefitting the nation’s economy and supporting 378,400 jobs. Lodging and restaurants saw the greatest economic...

Advanced technology science mission to study Lake Superior fish launches in Ashland

Aug 9, 2022 | News, Science

Blue skies and a stiff breeze marked the launch ceremony for an advanced technology mission designed to improve the accuracy of fish population measurement in the Apostle Islands and beyond. That breeze will be important, as the wind is what will power two uncrewed sailboat-like drones as they sail predetermined patterns across Lake Superior with solar-powered hydroacoustic equipment and nearly two dozen other scientific instruments onboard. The US Geological Survey (USGS) and and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission invited dignitaries and journalists to the launch event on the dock next to...

New mission details: unmanned research vessels Llaunch in Ashland on Tuesday

Aug 8, 2022 | Science

Two bright orange, solar-powered sailing vessels will launch from Ashland this week on a mission to study the changing fish populations in the Apostle Islands and across Lake Superior. One goal is to better track the sustainability of lake trout populations, by gathering more precise data about the prey fish the trout eat.Saildrones being assembled at the Great Lakes Science Center Ashland Biological Station dock – Dave Olson photoThe US Geological Survey (USGS) says the month-long fisheries science mission will involve two uncrewed saildrones from Saildrone, Inc., and two two long-range...

Unmanned Sailing Vessels to Study Fish Populations in the Apostle Islands

Aug 3, 2022 | Science

They might be the strangest looking sailboats that you’ve ever seen navigating the Apostles, but later this month, two bright orange saildrones, with no sailors onboard, will be traversing Lake Superior, collecting data about fish populations. Two 23-foot-long Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) are scheduled to launch from Ashland on August 8th, as part of a research project by the US Geological Survey (USGS). These scientific sailboats operate on wind power and solar power. They will use acoustic, or sound technology to gather fish distribution and density data around-the-clock, near Madeline...

The Big Chill: What causes dramatic changes in Lake Superior water temperatures?

Aug 1, 2022 | News, Science

After a hot, sweaty hike, there’s nothing more refreshing than a dip in the lake at Julian Bay Beach on Stockton Island. If Lake Superior stays calm enough long enough, the shallowest water, warmed by the sun, can be pleasantly refreshing. Wade out farther and you’ll find the significantly colder water just a few feet below the surface. However, if you throw in some wind and waves, the water temperature can and does drop dramatically. On a much larger scale, surface water temperatures in Lake Superior are always changing, as they are in Julian Bay. In late July surface water temperatures on...

50 Years of Archeology at the Apostle Islands

Apr 1, 2021 | Events, Evergreen Content, Features, History, Our Work, Resource Symposium Day 1, Science

Archaeological investigations at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore started in earnest shortly after the Lakeshore was designated in the early 1970s. Investigations have continued in the intervening years. This talk will share the stories of human use of the islands that archaeological work has illuminated for us thus far. The archaeological record at the Apostles is diverse, including sites related to fishing, logging, farming, and occupation from 5000 years ago to the mid-20th century. The information gained through archaeological excavations helps us appreciate the many ways in which...

Fifty Years of Cultural Resource Research at Apostle Islands NL

Apr 1, 2021 | Events, Evergreen Content, Features, History, Our Work, Resource Symposium Day 1, Science

The earliest evidence of human presence on the Apostle Islands dates to approximately 5,000 years ago when seasonal fishers utilized the cluster of islands that we call the Apostles and that the Ojibwe people call the Wenabozho Islands. From these early peoples to the park visitors of today, successive generations have left their imprint on the islands, resulting in a rich tapestry of cultural resources and human experiences. This presentation will look at the Lakeshore’s half century of efforts to study, understand, and steward these resources as well as the constant interplay between the...

Lakeshore Logbook – Kayci Cook Collins

Mar 3, 2021 | Discover the Park, Evergreen Content, Features, History, Island Stories, Lakeshore Logbook, Our Work, Park Info

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, we are collecting and sharing the stories of people connected to the islands, whether they are park guests, former residents or former park employees. This is the fourth in our series called “Lakeshore Logbook,” a collection of memories provided by former National Park Service employees. Living and working in the park on a day to day basis, they’ve experienced a lot to be sure. We hope you enjoy their perspectives. Kayci Cook Collins is the fourth generation of her family to work for the National Park Service. She served as Chief of Interpretation...

Lakeshore Logbook – Larry Johnson

Feb 17, 2021 | Discover the Park, Evergreen Content, Features, History, Lakeshore Logbook, Our Work, Park Info, Wildlife

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, we are collecting and sharing the stories of people connected to the islands, whether they are park guests, former residents or former park employees. This is the second in our series called “Lakeshore Logbook,” a collection of memories provided by former National Park Service employees. Living and working in the park on a day to day basis, they’ve experienced a lot to be sure. We hope you enjoy their perspectives. After 37 years with the National Park Service, Larry Johnson retired as the Superintendent of Ozark National Scenic Riverways in...

Where in the park is Neil? The week 11 answer is Long Island

Jul 2, 2020 | Discover the Park, Evergreen Content, Features, Island Stories, Our Work, Park Info, Where's Neil, Wildlife

As part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, we’re going on a virtual tour with Neil Howk, a man who has spent decades exploring the islands and teaching people about what makes them special. He knows the islands like the back of his hand. At the eleventh stop on our digital tour, Neil is on Long Island, which is an extension of the sand spit off Chequamegon Point. Long Island is at 46.7269° N, 90.7849° W. Piping plovers love to nest on the open beaches found on Long Island. For more than 30 years, Long Island is one of the only places in...

Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Privacy Policy

Research Articles

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore provides $57 million in economic benefits for northern Wisconsin

Advanced technology science mission to study Lake Superior fish launches in Ashland

New mission details: unmanned research vessels Llaunch in Ashland on Tuesday

Unmanned Sailing Vessels to Study Fish Populations in the Apostle Islands

The Big Chill: What causes dramatic changes in Lake Superior water temperatures?

50 Years of Archeology at the Apostle Islands

Fifty Years of Cultural Resource Research at Apostle Islands NL

Lakeshore Logbook – Kayci Cook Collins

Lakeshore Logbook – Larry Johnson

Where in the park is Neil? The week 11 answer is Long Island

Recent Articles

Topics

Become a Member Now

Want more information?

Connect With Us

Proud Partners