Underground at the Delaware Copper Mine, a historic copper mine in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. NPS Photo. For over a century, the underground tunnels of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula told the story of a booming copper industry. Today, researchers at Michigan Tech believe those same tunnels could help write the next chapter of America's energy story, this time, as clean energy infrastructure. On a recent episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, hosts Walt Lindala and Frida Waa

By Tim Cochrane Change (not “balance”) is an inevitable part of island life. One notable conclusion of Island Biogeography is species “wink” in and out, that is, are extirpated and others may recolonize an Island. Island resiliency is limited, less able to buffer impacts. The pace of change accelerates with human interventions. Let me explain: Most of us who visit Isle Royale assume that we are fortunate to be seeing what is perceived as “natural.” Further, many people, not g

Volunteers are the heart of coordinated effort This summer National Park Service officials announced the launch of the Isle Royale Heritage Alliance, a new effort to advance coordinated protection and improvement of Isle Royale National Park’s historic structures—approximately 90 cabins, 19 fishery buildings, and four lighthouses. The Alliance will be powered by volunteers, with coordination by the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF), the designated nonprofit p

Photo credit: Seth Moore As smoke blankets the Lake Superior region, and wildfires burn nearby, we checked with our wildlife biologist, Adam Mortensen, to learn about potential impacts on Northeast Minnesota’s moose populations. Adam will be writing more about this topic in the future, but for now, here are answers to our three top questions: Q: How are moose faring during the fires? A: Active fires and their smoke are dangerous for moose in many of the same ways that they ar

Bald eagle, Wabasha, MN. Photo credit: Tom Fisk There was a time when many Americans could go their entire lives without seeing a bald eagle in the wild. In 1963, only 417 known nesting pairs remained across the contiguous United States. America’s iconic bird was perilously close to disappearing from much of its historic range. Just over six decades later, the picture looks dramatically different. According to the latest federal population estimate, there were approximately 3

NPLSF–and you–are more important than ever For twenty years, NPLSF has operated at a unique intersection. “We are a philanthropic partner to all five national park units on the shores of Lake Superior, and in that role, we are asked to do something genuinely difficult: perform triage on today’s most urgent needs while simultaneously building the infrastructure, relationships and raising money that will sustain these places for generations,” says NPLSF Executive Director Tom

Hat Point Ferry Building installation is near completion Hat Point marina is a bustling place in the summer, as visitors from around the United States and beyond catch the Voyageur II and Sea Hunter III ferries to Isle Royale National Park, known as Minong by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Anishinaabe). Soon, the marina’s new ferry building, which is owned and operated by the Grand Portage Band, will also be a place to learn about the deep cultural connec

Our scientists are gathering data, engaging the public Photo credit: Katie Slanga Moose—Mooz in the Ojibwe language—are a living emblem of the northwoods, with deep significance to the people and ecology of the Lake Superior region. After a deep decline over the past two decades, moose populations have stabilized, but remain fragile. The Northern Moose Alliance is an innovative state-tribal-nonprofit partnership initiative to help Minnesota’s struggling moose population—and i

There's a saying around here: from big water comes big ideas. For twenty years, the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) has been proving it true — funding the projects, mobilizing the volunteers, and telling the stories that keep our five national parks thriving along the greatest of the Great Lakes. Founding board member Carol Brady was there when it all came together, and she hasn't slowed down since. "We had a couple of years of little meetings here and ther

For 20 years, the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) has championed one of the most extraordinary freshwater ecosystems on Earth. Lake Superior holds 10% of the world’s surface freshwater—more than all the other Great Lakes combined—touching three U.S. states and one Canadian province. Stewardship of this globally significant ecosystem is our shared responsibility. As the official philanthropic partner of the lake’s five extraordinary national parks, NPLSF has

By Tim Cochrane Duchess of Oldenburg apple lithograph For over five millennia people have made their way to Isle Royale. Evidence of that presence is sometimes subtle and sometimes it is like the bow of the packet freighter America looming out of the depths of Lake Superior. Whether obvious or not, each sign of human activity often can tell a remarkable story such as the rewilding Island Mine road turned into a trail or the toy left behind at the Hay Bay fishery. But evidence

UpdateS From the Field with Moose Researcher Adam Mortensen By Adam Mortensen My snowmobile stopped, but thankfully, it was not stuck! Part of being a biologist is the constant need to learn new things. Sometimes that means mastering a new statistical analysis or setting up moose collars. In the case of today’s installment of “Moose Browse,” it’s snowmobiling. Despite growing up in Wisconsin, snowmobiling was brand new to me, and I was excited to learn in such a unique way. A