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Friends
of the
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Issue #2 - Almost Spring  2006

On March 3, Friends Chair Ruth Goetz
& Park Superintendent Bob Krumenaker
announced two programs new to the
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

1. Apostle Islands Recreational User Fee Proposal                                       (Read More - Large File)

2. Apostle Islands Voluntary Passport
                                      (Read More - Large File)

With an "Apostle Islands Voluntary Passport," Members of Friends of the Apostle Islands Lakeshore have a visual means of demonstrating their financial support for the Park.

The details are simple.

Contribute $30.00 (or more of course!) and you will receive a colorful decal.

Passport decal date and color will change each year.

All Passport contributions in 2006 will go toward the furnishing & exhibits at the historic Raspberry Island Light Station.

And of course your contribution - in any amount - is tax deductible.
 

In two years, from a member base of just over 230, the Friends have made a nearly $50,000 enhancement to the Park by way of projects completed and committed to.

And along the way they published the first book celebrating the majesty of the Apostle Islands: "Jewels on the Water."

Even more amazing is that the Friends have never conducted a Membership drive to solicit new members.

Until now.

If you are a current Member who hasn't made a contribution this year, please renew your commitment to the Apostle Islands - buy a Voluntary Passport.

Just drop your check in the mail to Friends, PO Box 1574, Bayfield, WI 54814.

Within the last month the Friends website
received the start of substantial makeover.

You'll find new pages, and an easy to navigate design.

In a short time, select Layne Kennedy images from "Jewels on the Water,"   will be added to a page on the site.

View the Friends website.

Image by Bill Cronon

The links to the right will take you to a wealth of information about the User Fee Proposal.

Note that no Park entrance fees are proposed.

The NPS is hosting three public meetings and accepting comments on the proposal until April 4.
 

User Fee Rates

Public Meetings
 

During the winter Park staff made a proposal to the NPS to make improvements to the Chequamegon Point Light on Long Island, and were delighted to have it approved.

After being in disrepair for nearly 20 years, this summer the tower will be receiving a bunch of attention that begins with new concrete bases and ends with fresh paint inside and out.

Expect an update on this project in the future!
 

NPS Photo

Native plants and shrubs will be featured in a new garden near the NPS sign at the corner of Washington Ave. & 4th St. in Bayfield.

A ceremonial dedication is planned for Earth Day, Sat. April 22 - time to be announced.

Planting is planned for June 6 at 9 a.m. with a June 9 backup date in case of rain.

Peggy Burkman has taken the lead role on this project, and is looking for "green thumb" volunteers. Peggy can be reached at pburkman@charter.net.

Financial support of the Memorial Garden is being collected through designated contributions to the Friends.

Seems only fitting then for the Friends newsletter and website to share some of the progress being made in the restoration of the most popular Light Station in the Islands.

Stabilizing the steep slopes of Outer & Raspberry has been going on for several years. It took big machinery, huge boulders, and a considerable chunk of money.

Stabilizing also took advantage
soil bioengineering techniques  in
the form of several thousand native
plants reintroduced to the Islands.

When Raspberry Station closed last July, it was largely to deal with damage to basement foundations from groundwater freeze/thaw cycles and find ways to prevent future damage.

Most of us will need to wait until 2007 to visit the Raspberry Island Light Station again, and few of us will even notice the changes under our feet.

Expect continuing updates on this project!

NPS Photos