Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Location Ashland County and Bayfield County, Wisconsin, USA
Nearest city Bayfield, Wisconsin
Coordinates 46°57′55″N 90°39′51″W / 46.96528, -90.66417
Area 69,372 acres (280.74 km²)
Established September 26, 1970
Visitors 182,396 (in 2007)
Governing body National Park Service

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore consisting of 22 islands (Apostle Islands) and shoreline encompassing 69,372 acres (281 km²) on the northern tip of Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior. It is known for its collection of historic lighthouses (called "the nation's finest"), sandstone sea caves, a few old growth remnant forests, and natural animal habitats among many other things.

Contents

[edit] Gallery

Sand Island Sea Caves

Some of the Squaw Bay Sea Caves, on the mainland near Cornucopia, Wisconsin.

Hokenson Fishery, a part of the Little Sand Bay Visitor Center on the mainland

A sandy beach at the Little Sand Bay Visitor Center

The headquarters of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The building is made out of stone quarried from the Apostle Islands before they were turned into a national park.


Image:Island!.jpg


[edit] Introduction

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore located on the top of Wisconsin’s Peninsula in Lake Superior the “largest, cleanest, and coldest of the Great Lakes.” [1] The lakeshore, surrounded by beaches, cliffs and water, provide twenty one islands of entertainment, for Minnesotans, Wisconsinites, and other seasoned visitors.

[edit] History

The Apostle Islands are a result of the glaciers that once covered North America. “Geologically they are originally part of the main land at the edge of the great riff or fault which formed the depression to which the waters of Lake Superior collected.” [2] When the glaciers melted there was a lot of water left over that begin to shape the islands. Over time, the waves from the waters of Lake Superior caused erosion that formed the islands. The reason the islands are composed of mostly red sand stone, is due to the glacial shift. It is widely assumed that Indian’s were the first to inhabit the island. “There is some evidence that they were seen and possibly visited sometime in the fourteenth century by Indian’s who were making their way to Isle Royale near the north shore of the land in search of copper.” [2] Not long after, a French explorer by the name of Etinne Brule who like many French Canadian’s was trying to discover a new way to the East Indies. “The French are believed to have named the islands ‘Apostle’ meaning 12, because they believed in the practice of giving names of religious significance to Geographic locations.” [3]It is said that fur traders were the first explorers to settle. A village was built from the money that the fur traders brought in.

[edit] Environment

It is important when people are going to use an area for their recreational purposes that they factor in the existing environment. Animals, plants, and the climate must all be taken into account. “Island environments, naturally isolated, provide important habitat for numerous bird species, mammals, plants, amphibians and aquatic species.” [4]The Apostle Islands are a natural home to many various plants and animals.

Bears: The type of bear that inhabits the Apostle Islands is the black bear. According to the National Park service:

“One of the greatest concentrations of black bears in North America is found on Stockton Island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Bears also regularly inhabit Sand and Oak islands, and, due to their mobility, may be found on just about any of the Apostle Islands.”[5] Due to the large quantity of the black bear on some of the islands it is important to recognize the bear and its territory. “Black bears come in more colors than any other North American mammal, ranging from black to white with intermediate shades of brown, cinnamon, blond, and bluish gray.”[6] Despite what is normally assumed about black bears, these animals are very shy. Black bears tend to less aggressive than the average house dog and usually do not attack humans.

Plants

“The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore provides regionally diverse and unique plant communities.”(NPS)[7] Precautions must be taken when using places like the islands for recreational purposes. For example: when walking on a trail, stay on the trail. So there is no disruption of the natural equilibrium. “Over 800 plant species occur within the lakeshore, including Wisconsin State listed endangered and threatened species.”[7]

Birds

“The Lakeshore provides important nesting habitat for the following colonial nesting birds: herring and ring- billed gulls, double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, and cliff swallows. Gull and Eagle Islands combined have 88% of the lakeshore's breeding herring gull populations and 80% of the herring gull breeding population on the entire Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior. Eagle Island has the only great blue heron rookery in the park.”[8]


[edit] Recreation

Boating/Fishing:

Many of the islands offer public docking or marinas at a small fee. The shorelines offer some historical sites such as the many lighthouses throughout the islands. Fishing on Lake Superior is a popular activity for boaters and non-boaters alike the lake offers different species of trout as well as some species of salmon. In certain seasons when the water is warmer visitors can catch fish from the shore in water as shallow as ten feet. Visitors to the island will need a Wisconsin fishing license as well as a Great Lakes trout/salmon stamp.

Camping:

Camping is a very popular choice of the islands visitors. The options are vast from more civilized sites that offer many amenities; such as well water, toilets, and food lockers, to name a few, all the way to sites that are deeper in the woods, further from other campers and offer nothing more than a fire ring. Of the twenty-two islands camping is offered on eighteen of them. Camping fees for an individual or for an undesignated site for one night is ten dollars, for a group the cost is twenty dollars a night.

Hunting:

Hunting is permitted on certain islands for certain periods of the year. Game available for hunting on the islands include white-tail deer, black bear, grouse, and other small game is offered as well. Deer hunting is limited to fifty hunters a year; those fifty are chosen through a lottery system. Hunting black bears is limited to two islands only, and being that the apostle islands are part of a national park there are many rules and regulations that only apply to that specific area so it is recommended that hunters make sure that know and understand the different laws and regulations prior to hunting.


Kayaking/Scuba Diving:

To get from island to island many visitors choose to kayak. Visitors can either bring their own kayaks and equipment or they can rent from a local shop. The waters around the lake can be very unpredictable and potentially dangerous to inexperienced or unprepared kayakers, so it is recommended to come prepared with any emergency equipment and to also check the possible weather conditions prior to getting in the water. The islands also offer something to scuba divers as well. There are many unique opportunities to dive by some interesting rock formations as well as some shipwrecks. To scuba dive anywhere within a quarter-mile of any islands shore a diver must first obtain a permit from the park center; permits are free.

[edit] Lighthouses

For most of the century, the Apostle Islands Lighthouses have guided ships and boats through the rough waters of Lake Superiorand through the Apostle Islands. Sand Island lighthouse has been thought to be the most beautiful light house to visit. This lighthouse is approximately 44 feet tall and was one of the first lighthouses to be lit in 1921. Provided by the volunteers of the national park service, boats tour this island June through late August every year. Some of the other lighthouses to visit are: Michigan Island, LaPointe Light on Long Island, and Outer Island Lighthouse. Image:Lighthouses!.jpg

[edit] Local Towns

Bayfield is frequently associated with the Apostle Islands because of the close location to the lakeshore area. The town offers a variety of recreational activities and is very visitor friendly; the town becomes more popular during the summer months, when people are constantly coming and going to and from the islands. In Bayfield, visitors can locate “the headquarters and visitors center of the National Lakeshore, (which) can supply you with helpful materials to enhance your cruising among the islands.” [9] Washburn is another popular town associated with the Apostle Islands, which is located 10 miles from Bayfield. The town provides the people of Ashland and surrounding areas, which do not offer cruising facilities, a marina to utilize. Washburn is “devoted mainly to country government and tourism.” [9]Tourist can find much useful information in the town’s shops, restaurants, and visitor’s centers, which they can highly benefit from before beginning their journey. Image:Bayfield!.jpg

[edit] Sea caves

Some of the best sea caves of the great lakes are located on the shorelines of the Apostle Islands. Many of the best sea caves to visit are located at the following locations: Swallow Point on Sand Island, the North Shore of Devils Island, and near Squaw Bay on the mainland. At these locations you can see caves like no other. Arches and delicate chambers are just some of the magnificent sites visible here. During the winters, visitors can see magnificent views of frozen waterfalls and chambers filled with millions of delicate icicles. Image:Sandcaves!.jpg

[edit] Notes

  1. . Wisconsin's Apostle Islands. NSP. 4 Feb. 2008 <www.wilderness.org>.
  2. . Ross, Hamilton N. The Apostle Islands. 2nd ed. Batavia, NY: Batavia Herald, 1951.
  3. . Culture and History. 18 Oct. 2007. NSP. 3 Feb. 2008 <www.nps.org/apis>.
  4. . Animals. 20 March.2007. NPS. 4 Mar. 2008 <http://www.nps.gov/apis/naturescience/animals.htm>.
  5. . Bear of the Apostles. NPS. 4 Mar. 2008 <http://www.nps.gov/apis/naturescience/bear.htm>.
  6. . Black Bear Color Phases. 2008. NABC. 4 Mar. 2008 <http://www.bear.org/website/Bear-Facts/Color-Phases.html>.cience/plants.htm>.
  7. . Plants. NPS. 4 Mar. 2008 <http://www.nps.gov/apis/natures
  8. . Birds. 8 Jan. 2008. NPS. 4 Mar. 2008 <http://www.nps.gov/apis/naturescience/birds.htm>.
  9. . Brazer, Marjorie C. Cruising guide to the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways. Chicago: Contemporary Books, Inc, 1985.



[edit] References

[edit] External links

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