EXOTIC PLANT MANAGEMENT PLAN: Apostle Islands National Lakes Shore

Great Lakes Exotic Plant Management Team; Chapin

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore was established in 1970 to conserve the islands and shorelines and their related geographic, scenic, and scientific values; to permit hunting, fishing and trapping according to Federal and State laws; to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the lakeshore; and to provide for the public enjoyment and understanding of the unique natural, historical, scientific, and archeological features of the lakeshore. Located in Wisconsin’s northernmost landscape, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) is composed of 21 islands and a 2,500 acre mainland unit. The islands are home to diverse and rare plant assemblages and the many sandscapes provide stopovers for migrating birds and habitat for endangered piping plovers. The islands have been home to indigenous peoples since pre-history and the natural resources of the park including brownstone quarries, fisheries and timber stands were critical to the settlement of the area. The islands are also home to the largest collection of historic lighthouses in the country. The remoteness of the islands has reduced the number of invasive plant species to the park and most exotic plant populations are restricted to developed areas. However, with populations of many problematic species on the mainland, the potential for new populations to establish is high. The most severe impacts occur from construction and restoration activities and the movement of heavy equipment and soil from the mainland. In addition, visitors departing popular kayak launching sites at Little Sand Bay and Meyer’s Beach, both of which have populations of spotted knapweed, have the potential to transport this serious threat to the park’s sensitive and popular sandscapes. Both park staff and visitors have the potential to carry in a variety of unwanted seeds on backcountry equipment and clothing.