Friends News & Events

Annual Friends cruise celebrates Apostle Islands and people who love this special place
When you're among Friends, visiting one of the Apostle Islands becomes even more meaningful. Dozens of supporters of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boarded the Superior Princess on a breezy, sunny August day. During the annual Friends cruise, they...

Friends of the Apostle Islands among the winners of prestigious grant
“Friends is honored to be among those organizations included in the National Park Foundation grants for 2026,” said Executive Director Jeff Rennicke. “No place is an island, even the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. We are all stronger together and grants like this only strengthen our ability to work in support of the places we all love.”

Friends volunteers work to control invasive species on Long Island
Removing the flower heads before they go to seed is one way to prevent the seeds from forming and slow the spread. That was the task for eight volunteers from Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. They joined the National Park Service on a mission to Long Island on July 24th as part of ongoing efforts to keep the invasive plants in check.

Meyers Beach accessibility project under way
With a turn of the shovel, the long-awaited Meyers Beach accessible path project has begun. A partnership between the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, and Friends of the Apostle Islands, the $690,000 project will replace the 47-step stairway down a...

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

Upcoming tree removal and summer construction progress at Meyers Beach
Visitors to Meyers Beach will begin to see important early stage work this spring as the National Park Service continues progress on the new accessible path and staircase. On May 12, contractors will complete scheduled tree removal activities in the project area....
Support Safe Boating

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.
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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.

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.”

