NPLSF works hard to catalyze projects and programs that preserve the natural resources and cultural heritage of Lake Superior’s five national parks.
Here are five ways we’ve made a difference with your support this year—and the work ahead of us as we look to 2024.
1. Building Climate Resilience
Lake Superior is one of the fastest-warming lakes in the world. NPLSF is helping our parks be part of the climate change solution by transitioning from fossil fuel to clean electricity.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, for example, will soon replace its gas-powered trail maintenance operations with clean, quiet equipment powered by renewable electricity. Keweenaw National Historical Park is utilizing high efficiency and renewable energy designs in their new Lake Superior Collection Management Center. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore’s Hokenson House will soon replace old propane powered appliances with new high efficiency electric appliances, reducing its carbon footprint and improving the living conditions in this historic building at Little Sand Bay.
We are poised to hire a project manager who will accelerate work to increase efficiency, add solar and battery storage, and move more park operations off fossil fuel in 2024. We will also soon launch a major new education campaign to reach the millions of visitors to the parks each year and inspire them to take action in their own homes and businesses.
2. Helping moose
Northwestern Lake Superior is synonymous with an abundant moose population, but this beloved animal is struggling. NPLSF support of the 2023 North American Moose Conference helped bring together more than 150 wildlife biologists, natural resource specialists, tribal, state, federal and provincial agency managers from the U.S., Canada and beyond.
In 2024 NPLSF will be expanding its work with Isle Royale National Park and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to identify and address habitat and health threats.
3. Protecting natural and cultural resources
This summer our team of volunteers traveled to remote Wright Island in Isle Royale National Park to document and clean up the decayed contents of what was once a fishery operation. Park staff called the project “one of the most daunting cleanups among the island’s fisheries and cottages” and recognized NPLSF for its linchpin role in making it happen.
It is clear that NPLSF’s ability to rally volunteers and resources is crucial to protecting both the cultural and natural resources of Lake Superior’s national parks and we have an ambitious slate of projects to tackle in 2024.
4. Celebrating Lake Superior
NPLSF was proud to support the annual Grand Portage National Monument’s Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow Wow hosted by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Anishinaabe). Recognizing the inspiring connections between the lake and the arts, we also supported the Lutsong Music Festival and brought together hundreds of people to learn the “story behind the story” of National Geographic’s article on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, featuring award-winning journalist Stephanie Pearson and acclaimed photographer David Guttenfelder.
In the coming year, NPLSF will expand its vital support of Lake Superior cultural events –and continue to offer an on-demand, inside look at the nature, culture, and history of our Great Lake and its five national parks through our popular Lake Superior Podcast hosted by Walt Lindala and Frida Waara.
5. Supporting vital park projects
Park superintendents count on NPLSF to raise funds for crucial park improvements and initiatives. Collaborating closely with the parks, tribal leaders, other park friends groups, and local partners, NPLSF helps with projects large and small. We also serve as a key funding partner for park education initiatives, including the “Agaaming Aki (the land across the water) program for tribal youth at Grand Portage National Monument and Isle Royale National Park.
In 2024 we will be building on our role in our public-private partnerships, with a special focus on supporting wilderness and cultural resource management and housing for park staff, which is a top concern for many of our parks.
You have been a crucial partner in the work described here. Thank you! You can help NPLSF achieve even more results in 2024 by making a donation today. Your support will ensure that our beautiful lake, and its five national parks, remain healthy and vital for generations to come.
National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) friends group for Lake Superior’s national parks: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. All donations are tax deductible.