Now spring forward some 100 years. The original job of light keeping has given way to automated lights. But today there’s a bigger job tending all the light sta-tions and the cultural and natural resources of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The nine light towers join 150 historic structures, 160 miles of undeveloped shoreline, 42,000 acres of one of North America’s most ecologically intact for-ests and 27,232 acres of water while servicing over 170,000 visitors a year. It is a big job for today’s ‘keepers.’ The responsibility for tending our public lands, beyond what the Park Service can do on their own, demands all hands on deck and innovative ways for us to help. Fifteen years ago, Gaylord Nelson and his daughter Tia friended local park ad-vocate Martin Hanson. With others they established “Friends of the Apostle Is-lands National Lakeshore” to support, partner with, and supplement the mission of the Park. Today budgets and staffing are less than they were 10 years ago, even as visitation increases and efforts to preserve natural and cultural re-sources becomes more difficult. “Friends” is an active group – one of the Park’s ‘keepers.’ We are busy filling gaps and doing moderate things for the Park, but all with lasting impacts. Our 2017 work plan includes:
For more about why you should become a ‘keeper’ of the park and to see upcoming volunteer opportunities browse this website or check out our Facebook page.
Sincerely, Erica Peterson, President Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Comments are closed.
|