Friends News & Events

“Once in a lifetime” letters from Outer Island

“Once in a lifetime” letters from Outer Island

Volunteering for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore can create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Cynthia Howk spent the summer of 1986 on Outer Island as part of the Volunteers in the Parks program (VIP) of the National Park Service. She documented her experiences on Outer Island in a series of letters, recently rediscovered by her brother Neil.

read more
Real Time Wave Watch

Real Time Wave Watch

Wave Watch buoys are now live for the 2026 boating season! Click to get real-time wave information 24/7.

Support Safe Boating

Wave Watch buoys are LIVE for the 2026 season

Wave Watch buoys are LIVE for the 2026 season

Ice may still be clinging to some of the cliffs of the northernmost islands, but boating season 2026 has officially begun. On Wednesday, May 20th, Friends of the Apostle Islands joined the National Park Service and representatives of the University of...

Discover the Park

Twenty-one islands spread out over 750 square miles of Lake Superior, twelve miles of mainland shoreline, lighthouses, historic fisheries, sixty-six campsites, bears, beaches, sea caves, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a rich and complex landscape. 

Explore the human and natural history of the lakeshore, explore each island, and start planning your next island adventure.

Lighthouses

Islands

Our Work

Friends of the Apostle Islands is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of park visitors and supporting the priorities of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore staff. Founded in 2002, we undertake a wide variety of efforts, from fundraising for accessibility to tending historic gardens and supporting youth engagement programs.

Our priorities fall under four pillars. Learn more about them and how you can make a difference.

Blank Spacer

Accessibility

Our strong partnerships with the National Park Service, the community, and park user groups are helping to identify and remove barriers for people of all abilities – from accessible campsites and audio-enhanced interpretive displays to stability pads at kayak launching sites. Click here to learn what your donations can help achieve as we plan for even bigger, exciting opportunities ahead.

Education

From youth engagement programs to symposiums and a podcast, lifelong learning is a key part of your park experience.  You can support life-changing educational experiences for adults as well as the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates by exploring our online library.

Stewardship

Our parks are a legacy. To protect that legacy, Friends and its members work to preserve history through helping to fund the creation of a lighthouse tender now housed at Raspberry Island Light, installing bat houses and bear boxes to protect wildlife, working to fund the restoration of historic buildings and seeking the protection of our dark skies. Learn how you can help protect the legacy of your park through your support of Friends.

Service

Roll up your sleeves and pitch in. Our volunteers tend the flower gardens at the historic Michigan Island Light, plant beach grass to protect fragile sandscapes, clear trails, participate in beach cleanup and trail clearing. Are you ready to help out? Click here to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Woman using jewelers torch to fuse metal

Why We Give

I support Friends because …

“Silence does not protect, nor educate so I add my voice to protecting and celebrating the islands and the water and the communities in which they exist.”

Lissa Flemming, Friends Member