New Isle Royale Heritage Alliance Launched

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 park partner for Lake Superior’s five national parks.

“The Cultural Resources Management Plan (CRMP) and Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) for the park include a commitment to a partnership for historic preservation work,” said Isle Royale National Park Superintendent Denice Swanke.

“With the launch of the Isle Royale Heritage Alliance, a more formal partnership is now in place to create and implement a shared vision for historic preservation work in the park.”

The Alliance will engage long-term volunteers, including descendant families, while creating new opportunities for volunteers, technical experts, students, and supporters to participate in the stewardship of the park's historic and cultural resources.

Wilderness with a rich human history

Known today as one of our nation’s most remote wilderness parks, Isle Royale has long been a focal point of human activity. For thousands of years, North Shore Ojibwe have used the island as a seasonal hub for hunting, fishing, gathering, spiritual connection, and copper mining. More recently, French fur traders, copper prospectors, fisheries, and seasonal homeowners also forged a connection to the land.

For decades, dedicated volunteers have contributed to preservation projects throughout the park. The Alliance builds on that foundation by creating a coordinated planning and funding framework of volunteers and resources to increase the scale of preservation activities. This new level of coordination will ensure a more efficient and prioritized system and reduce volunteer management and administration for park staff.

Jan Reyers to serve as volunteer Alliance Director

Retired global business executive, preservation advocate, and lifelong Lake Superior enthusiast Jan Reyers played a key role in creating the Alliance and will serve as director of the initiative.

During his 35-year career with 3M, Reyers held senior leadership positions across North America, Europe, and Asia, specializing in organizational development, strategic planning, partnership building, and leading complex initiatives across diverse cultures and stakeholder groups. Reyers has spent the last few years supporting restoration efforts at Isle Royale’s historic Rock of Ages Lighthouse as a Board member, volunteer boat operator and project participant. Reyers recognized the value in a more coordinated system for preservation work on the island and is pleased to be working with NPLSF and the National Park Service on the Alliance.

“I came to Isle Royale because of connections I made as a youngster and as a father to my own children. After retirement, I became involved because preservation work gave me a deeper connection to it,” Reyers said.

“The Alliance is about creating those same opportunities for others. It’s an opportunity to move beyond simply visiting the island, and to becoming part of its ongoing story.”

2026 field season priorities underway

Volunteers in Parks (VIPs) are already completing priority projects on Isle Royale including:

• Removal of debris and unused items from camp and cabin sites

• Completion of a required structural fire checklist assessment at each historic site

• Completion of required annual condition assessments at each historic site

NPLSF, which has led many cleanup efforts over the years including a 2025 project at Fisherman’s Home, is pleased to be coordinating the effort.

“With our national parks facing budget cuts, and many historic structures falling into disrepair, it is a particularly vital time to be efficient with resources and effectively engage volunteers,” said Tom Irvine, NPLSF’s executive director. “The volunteers involved in the Isle Royale Heritage Alliance bring an enormous amount of knowledge and passion, and our work together will be an exciting model for other parks.”

NPLSF recently received a National Park Foundation capacity grant to support this project and advance initiatives in our other Lake Superior national parks to achieve coordinated, prioritized volunteer support. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on these efforts!

About The NPLSF

The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) exists to provide financial support for projects and programs that preserve the natural resources and cultural heritage of the five Lake Superior national parks: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Funded through grants and private donations, NPLSF projects and programs ensure that these great parks and historic sites are maintained for the enjoyment of all current and future visitors.

To learn how you can support our work visit nplsf.org/donate.