Lake Superior Podcast

The US is home to 423 National Park sites.  63 of those carry National Park in their name, like Yosemite, Yellowstone and Isle Royale.  But that’s really just the start. In fact, there are 20 different types of National Park Properties, including Battlefields, Monuments and Memorials, even the White House is part of our National Park properties.  We are lucky to have 5 National Park sites on Lake...

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, headquartered in Bayfield, Wisconsin, ranks a paddler’s paradise. With 12 miles of mainland shoreline and a 21 Island archipelago, the park covers over 108 square miles of land and water rich with centuries-old natural and cultural resources.  In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast meet the man who has dedicated his career to collecting and researching thi...

Isle Royale ranks the most remote National Park in the Midwest, accessible only by boat or seaplane. And if you think getting there is tricky, you should try WORKING there. In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast we'll meet Phyllis Green, who served as Isle Royale's Superintendent for 18 years. With a total of 41 years in the field—both with the National Park and National Forest Service...

You know the lure, when just a single image stops you, draws you in, makes you want to learn more.  Drew Rush is that photographer; passionate about the power of his pictures. In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast you will meet this National Geographic Photographer and learn more about his work at Isle Royale National Park and his remarkable skill for staging cameras to capture never-before-see...

Superior is a paddler’s paradise with 3 National Parks known world-wide for hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline, sea caves and camping. Madeline Marquardt has not only paddled many of those miles, but she’s photographed and written about her travels too. Maddy is the real deal always following her passion for wild places. Listen as she shares some of her kayaking adventures and get a preview o...

Copper is a key element in Lake Superior’s fascinating history.  In fact, for 7,000 years people have been mining it in the "Copper Country" of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  Telling that story is the mission of Keweenaw National Historical Park,  headed up by Wyndeth Davis. Her park encompasses 22 sites in 4 counties--ranging from deep underground in Quincy Mine to the high bluff overlook...

Meet Anna Deschampe, Chief of Interpretation at Grand Portage National Monument, at the tip of the arrowhead in northern Minnesota. With degrees in both Sociology and Anthropology, Anna’s education has well prepared her for her job, but she also shares her backstory as a member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa growing up on the reservation. Grand Portage National Monument is one...

While Gates of the Arctic in Alaska ranks the country’s least visited national park, Isle Royale in Lake Superior ranks 3rd with just over 16,000 visitors per year. It’s a tough place to get to, accessed only by boat or sea plane, but when you do arrive, there’s a whole new wild world to explore. Denice Swanke came from Denali in Alaska to become Superintendent at Isle Royale, and she shares how h...