Long before the Keweenaw Peninsula became a destination for hikers, bikers, and Lake Superior rock hounds, it was the stage for a national copper rush. Shortly after Michigan became a state in 1837, Geologist Douglas Houghton was sent to Copper Harbor to explore reports from Native Americans about copper in the region. By 1844, Fort Wilkins was built to be the military base helping to keep the peace as fortune-seekers came to the state’s most northern port.

In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Barry James, Upper Peninsula historian with the Michigan History Center, about the fascinating past—and present—of this historic state park. From the 1840s copper rush chaos to Civil War reenactments, as well as lighthouse tours and tales of shipwrecks, Fort Wilkins remains a living classroom with extensive youth programs. Join us as we explore the enduring significance of this frontier fort—and the people working to keep its stories alive.

Key Takeaways:

• Fort Wilkins was built in the mid-19th century in Copper Harbor to maintain law and order during the copper rush.
• The fort served as a frontier military post, supporting mining operations and maritime navigation in one of the most remote regions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
• The Copper Harbor Lighthouse and range lights were established in response to early shipwrecks, including the 1844 wreck of the John Jacob Astor, which supplied Fort Wilkins.
• Today, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is part of the Keweenaw National Historical Park’s heritage site network and offers youth camps, Civil War reenactments, and public education programs.
• Barry James and the Michigan History Center are working to expand exhibits, including a new display on how Fort Wilkins became a state park in 1923.

Notable Quotes:

• “What it really represents is an excellent example of a mid-19th century military post as the United States was expanding westward.”
• “The Astor was the first wreck on Lake Superior in 1844. The military realized that their lifeline could be easily snapped.”
• “We also offer a living history program that's been ongoing since 1976, where we have costumed interpreters within the fort that represent the last occupation at Fort Wilkins, the summer of 1870.”
• “We’ve got 19 buildings on site, but 12 are original, dating back to the 1840s. So people can go into these buildings, look at the exhibits. We have period rooms with furniture and interpretation of the period.”
• “To get on the National Register of Historic Places, you really have to have something significant with the historic site, so that says enough right there.”

Resources:

• Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/museums/fwchl
• Michigan History Center: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc
• Keweenaw National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/kewe

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports: Supporting environmental sustainability in coffee-growing regions since 1993. Learn more at https://cafeimports.com
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: Support vital projects by donating at https://nplsf.org/donate

Winter Study at Isle Royale National Park has a decades long history, but just a few scientists ever get the chance to spend time on this isolated archipelago in Lake Superior. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with one of those fortunate ones, Johnathan Pauli, Professor in the Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin Madison. From tracking foxes and martens to unraveling a centuries-old survival story, Johnathan shares how studying this wilderness in winter reveals secrets a summer visitor would never experience. Join us for a conversation about science, survival, and what makes Isle Royale National Park a critical refuge for wildlife.

Key Takeaways:

• Winter Study at Isle Royale has been going on for over 60 years, originally launched to monitor moose and wolf populations and now expanded to include other animals such as martens, foxes, and snowshoe hares.
  
  
• Winter presents extreme challenges and rich insights, including long days in deep snow, cold exposure, and tracking animals over miles of off-trail terrain.
  
  
• Snowshoe hares follow a 10-year boom-and-bust cycle, which helped explain the survival story of Angelique Mott in 1845, when she struggled to trap hares during a population crash.
  
  
• Isle Royale functions as a modern-day “refugium,” because it is more buffered from human development and invasive species, making it an ideal site for long-term conservation and research.

Notable Quotes:

• “Winter is a period of nutritional and resource deficits. It’s a really important time to study these winter-adapted organisms.”
  
  
• “I love to say that there’s no anonymity in winter.”
  
  
• “Refugia is something near and dear to my heart. These islands, Isle Royale and the Apostle Islands, really represent these interesting test beds for the concept of refugia.”
  
  
• “It’s really important work. It’s really hard work. But it’s also really exciting. There’s a lot of complexity of emotions you have while you’re skiing these trails.”
  
  
• “Sometimes what you see in the tracks can be almost as exciting as seeing some of these critters in person.”

Resources:

• Jonathan Pauli’s Research Group – Learn more about his work at UW–Madison:
  https://pauli.russell.wisc.edu/
• Isle Royale National Park – Explore the park and its natural history:
  https://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm
  
  
• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore – Discover another key research site:
  https://www.nps.gov/apis/index.htm
  
  

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://nplsf.org/podcast
  
  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
  
  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports – Supporting environmental sustainability in coffee-growing regions since 1993. Learn more at https://cafeimports.com.
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Support vital projects by donating at:
  https://nplsf.org/donate
  
  

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Jonathan Pauli’s firsthand stories of survival, science, and what Isle Royale reveals in the silence of winter.

Our National Parks are important places, not just for their preservation of natural beauty and resources, but also for the economic impact they bring to gateway communities. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula sees nearly a million visitors, year round. For the anchor cities of Munising and Grand Marais, hosting those folks has become their chief industry. With a population of less than 2,000, how do they do it? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Kathy Reynolds, the CEO of the Greater Munising Bay Partnership as well as Director of the Alger County Chamber of Commerce to learn more.

Key Takeaways:

• Munising, Michigan, has transformed into a premier tourism destination, with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore playing a central role in attracting visitors.
• Tourism is now the leading industry in Alger County, supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the community year-round.
• Despite Munising's small population of under 2,000 residents, the area welcomes nearly one million visitors annually, requiring careful planning and infrastructure management.
• The Michigan Ice Fest, the oldest ice climbing festival in North America, draws climbers from around the world and highlights Munising's appeal as a winter recreation destination.
• Even though Munising has a strong tourism sector, it also has a diverse economy that includes manufacturing and public services, making it more resilient to seasonal fluctuations.

Notable Quotes:

• "I also tell people you should live where you want to vacation. Why just say, ‘Oh, I get to spend a week. Every once in a while I go someplace’? I wanted to live in a place that I wanted to vacation."
• "I would say, and maybe I’m a little biased, that it is probably one of, if the most beautiful places in the whole Midwest. It’s easy to market the area and get people to come."
• “Winter season can be extremely beautiful, and this year we are living in a snow globe all over the area of Munising.”
• “Preservation of the park and our natural resources - that’s why people come up to the Upper Peninsula. Protecting those and making sure they stay nice is critical to our economy.”
• "The people that come to Munising and visit our national park, they not only help us in our community, but they help all the communities outside of us in the U.P."

Resources:

• Greater Munising Bay Partnership: munising.org – Learn more about Munising and its economic development initiatives.
• Alger County Chamber of Commerce: algercountychamber.com – Discover local businesses and visitor information.
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm – Explore the stunning landscapes and recreational opportunities in the park.
• Michigan Ice Fest: michiganicefest.com – Learn about the premier ice climbing event in Munising.

Connect With Us:

• Website: nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports: Supporting environmental sustainability in coffee-growing regions since 1993. Learn more at https://cafeimports.com.
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: Support vital projects by donating at https://nplsf.org/donate.

Since the 1940’s, Lake Trout have been extinct in all of the Great Lakes except Lake Superior. Pressure from commercial fishing as well as the invasion of sea lamprey devastated this native species, and the population in Lake Superior also suffered. For three generations an international team of scientists has been working to restore healthy Lake Trout populations in all the Great Lakes. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Shawn Sitar, Fisheries Research Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to update the status of Lake Trout in Lake Superior.

Key Takeaways:

• Shawn Sitar explains his deep connection to Lake Superior, describing it as his hometown and emphasizing its pristine, natural state.
• He outlines how Lake Superior stands out among the Great Lakes - not only as the largest by surface area but also as the deepest - making it a unique ecosystem.
• The episode details the historical collapse of lake trout populations due to overfishing and invasive species, and highlights the international recovery efforts led by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
• Shawn discusses the three-prong approach to lake trout recovery: suppression of sea lampreys, controlled fishing, and hatchery stocking.
• He also addresses the challenges posed by climate change and evolving research techniques, emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring and adaptive management.

Notable Quotes:

• "I realized I look at Lake Superior as my hometown. I love that."
• "It is the largest lake on the earth in terms of surface area. So that's the statistics there. Lake Superior is also the deepest among the Great Lakes."
• "In fact, lake trout were extinct in all the Great Lakes except Lake Superior."
• “By the 1960s, if we look at Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, the absence of lake trout, the top boss in the system, created a lot of havoc. And during that time period in the late 50s and 60s and 70s, there was another invasive called the alewife, which is a small oily fish from the Atlantic Ocean that came up. And it just basically boomed in the Great Lakes."
• "During my career working on Lake Superior and the Great Lakes, I've already seen surface temperatures increase from when I started till now. There's a lot of variation around it. And I think there's already research ongoing to assess the impact."

Resources:

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources Website: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr
• Great Lakes Fishery Commission Website: http://www.glfc.org
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation Website: https://nplsf.org
• Documentary “Fish Thief”: https://www.thefishthief.com/

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/NPLSF

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports: Supporting environmental sustainability in coffee-growing regions since 1993. Learn more: https://cafeimports.com/
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: Support vital projects by donating at https://nplsf.org

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Shawn Sitar’s in-depth insights on the lake trout recovery efforts, the unique characteristics of Lake Superior, and the ongoing challenges and innovations in Great Lakes fisheries research.

Winter can be a sleepy time at the National Parks on Lake Superior, but at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, Michigan, visitors come to snowmobile, mush dogs, snowshoe, fish and cross-country ski. But the biggest event to bring folks into the park is the Michigan Ice Fest. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Ice Fest organizer Bill Thompson about the event and what makes Pictured Rocks such a Mecca for the sport.

Key Takeaways:

• The Michigan Ice Fest has grown from a small gathering in 1991 to an internationally recognized event, drawing over 1,100 participants from 38 states and seven countries.
• Ice climbing at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with ice formations over open water that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
• Ice Fest caters to all skill levels, from beginners as young as eight to seasoned climbers, with professional athletes providing instruction and inspiration at the event.
• Even in warmer winters with limited ice, the festival continues as an educational and community event, showcasing presentations and fostering camaraderie.
• The event’s unique location, accessibility, and passionate community make it a cornerstone of adventure tourism in Munising, Michigan.

Notable Quotes:

• “With the advent of social media and a few professional athletes spreading the word, there’s nowhere in the world that you can go ice climbing over open water, with crashing waves and the beauty of Lake Superior.”
• “Ice climbing is a sport for anyone looking to go out, have an adventure, and try something new.”
• “Ice climbing takes you places that not a lot of people in this world can get to.”
• “Our safety system is really thought out. Instead of focusing on, ‘Oh man, I’m high,’ I’m focusing on the ice in front of me. You have all of these interesting patterns of ice, you can hear the water trickling behind it, so the sounds are very unique. It’s just really, really special."

Resources:

• Michigan Ice Fest Website (michiganicefest.com) – Learn more about the event, clinics, and presentations.
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm) – Explore the beauty of this unique park.
• Ice Climbing Safety and Equipment (michiganicefest.com/information/festival-planning/safety/) – Better nderstand the gear and precautions used at the festival.

Connect With Us:

• Website: (nplsf.org/podcast)
• Facebook: (facebook.com/NPLSF)
• LinkedIn: (linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation)

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports: Supporting environmental sustainability in coffee-growing regions since 1993. (cafeimports.com).
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: Support vital projects by donating at (nplsf.org).

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Bill Thompson’s incredible stories of adventure, community, and ice climbing at one of the most unique national parks in the world.

New Year Resolutions, if you don’t make them, chances are you thought about it. But do those promises keep? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Bugsy Sailor, the Official Unofficial Ambassador of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Bugsy shares how a resolution he made on January 1, 2019, changed his life.

Key Takeaways:

• Bugsy Sailor captures daily sunrises around Lake Superior, embracing nature’s raw beauty and the unpredictability of the seasons.
• His commitment to photographing every sunrise since 2019 highlights the power of routine, resilience, and creative passion in overcoming challenges.
• Bugsy emphasizes the importance of embracing inclement weather, breaking stereotypes that sunrises must always be "beautiful and majestic."
• Through his Sunrise Gallery and community engagement, Bugsy fosters a deeper connection between people and nature, inspiring others to watch more sunrises.
• His solo adventures and reflections on accountability demonstrate how setting measurable goals can cultivate positive habits and a mindful approach to life.

Notable Quotes:

• “It always keeps things fresh. There's a ton of variety within our seasons and on the shores of Lake Superior.”
• “I think if you start with sunrise and you get up and out the door to watch sunrise, it makes the day attainable. You at least started it on the right foot and can give yourself that potential to live that day to the fullest.”
• “It's just getting up to that water and that, that impact of being connected with nature every day.”

Resources:

• Bugsy Sailor on Year of the Sunrise: yearofthesunrise.com
• Upper Peninsula Supply Company: upsupply.co
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: nplsf.org

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Bugsy Sailor’s incredible journey of capturing sunrises, his resilience in the face of challenges, and his passion for connecting with nature on a daily basis.

Connect With Us:

• Website: Lake Superior Podcast
• Facebook: National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation
• LinkedIn: NPLSF on LinkedIn

The forests that ring Lake Superior are some of the most magical on the continent. At the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, in Copper Harbor, you’ll find the Estivant Pines. This 570 acres of old-growth pine has lured hikers for decades. But saving this stand of ancient timber was no small feat.

It started over 50 years ago and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with photographer and forester Charles Esshbach from Houghton, Michigan, about his work to protect one of the Upper Peninsula’s most remarkable natural treasures.

Tune in to learn how his story of conservation--from skiing in deep snow with his camera to the cooperation of classrooms around the region--has inspired generations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Estivant Pines are one of the last contiguous stands of old-growth white pines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with some trees towering over 150 feet and dating back 500 years.
• Grassroots efforts, including a committee of 17 citizens and even fundraising by schoolchildren, were critical to saving the sanctuary from logging in the 1970s.
• Photography played a pivotal role in raising awareness, with Charles documenting the pines’ beauty and the destruction they faced, galvanizing public support.
• The sanctuary’s preservation has inspired generations, creating a deeper understanding of the value of conserving natural habitats for future generations.
• Conservation efforts have not only saved the forest but also educated the public, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in the region.

Notable Quotes:

• “You always know your backyard the best, and the Keweenaw is my backyard.”
• “The kids led the way. School children raised money, from quarters dropped in buckets to can drives, to save these trees.”
• “These trees are four to five hundred years old. It’s amazing that they’re still there.”
• “Our little committee of seventeen people persevered through countless setbacks.”
• “This is a piece of history - a legacy of what we’ve preserved and achieved.”

Resources:

• Estivant Pines Sanctuary Information: Estivant Pines (https://www.michigannature.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=locationgallery&action=listing&listing=110)
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: NPLSF Website (https://www.nplsf.org/)

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Charles’s incredible story of conservation and community dedication.

Connect With Us:

• Website: Lake Superior Podcast
• Facebook: National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation
• LinkedIn: NPLSF on LinkedIn

Since time began humans have been foragers. Survival depended on connecting to the natural world. Today, when most of our food comes from a grocery store or is eaten in a restaurant, that link has been lost. But not for Tim Clemens. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tim, a professional forager and founder of Ironwood Foraging about how he’s helping people connect with nature; and not in the middle of the forest or farm country, but near his urban home of Minneapolis.

Key Takeaways:

• Foraging is not limited to rural or wilderness areas—urban environments, like the parks and green spaces in Minneapolis, offer surprising edible treasures.
• Learning to identify wild edibles is key to safe foraging, and local foraging groups or societies can be invaluable resources for beginners.
• Tim emphasizes the importance of indigenous traditions and thinking long-term, such as planting trees for future generations, in the practice of foraging.
• Foraging creates a deeper connection to the natural world, making people more mindful stewards of the environment by seeing it not just as scenery, but as a source of sustenance.
• Foraging is becoming increasingly popular, moving beyond farm-to-table into forest-to-table, and gaining recognition in both local communities and top-tier restaurants.

Notable Quotes:

• "Foraging has gotten so much more popular, and just like the farm-to-table movement, the next iteration of that is the forest-to-table movement or the prairie-to-table movement."
• "You need to identify the species you're trying to eat before you eat it. You really should identify something first because there are things that can hurt you."
• "When you’re foraging, suddenly it's your blueberry patch... it's not just a backdrop for human activity anymore. You’re going to be attached to individual trees...and you're just going to be a better naturalist for that."
• "For most of the year, I don't buy rice because I harvest my own. There are things I never buy anymore. I don't buy fruit, I don't buy greens, I don't buy mushrooms, and I don't buy nuts."
• "We have folks who have backgrounds in biology like myself and folks who have backgrounds in graphic design. There's room for all those people and a need for all those people because we need people to balance our budgets, fix our computers, design our graphics."

Resources:

• Ironwood Foraging Website: https://ironwoodforaging.com/
• Minnesota Mycological Society: https://minnesotamycologicalsociety.org/
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: https://www.nplsf.org/

Be sure to tune in to this insightful episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to learn more about the art of foraging and how you can reconnect with the environment through this ancient practice.

You can also learn more about foraging and the interview here: https://www.nplsf.org/foraging-podcast-interview

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.nplsf.org/lake-superior-podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation/