FOPPI Blog

James Myster, (now retired) USFWS Regional Historic Preservation Officer and Archeologist visited Plum Island on July 26th once again as a presenter for our Native American Presence on Plum Island Field Day. James worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs prior to USFWS and has a great interest in this subject. We hiked to the eastern side of the island to view the Niagara Escarpment and talk about the history of those that came before us. What did they eat? What kind of tool

We have made some great friends over the years by leveraging our combined strengths and resources to meet each of our objectives. Last month we had the opportunity to work with the awesome folks of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association in search of the elusive Plymouth shipwreck and last year we took them on a search for the F.J. King, which they found! They've created a great video, with snippets of what it's like to be underwater archeologists (aka shipwreck hunt

We've recently learned that our claim to fame, 'The last remaining Roosevelt-style boathouse on the Great Lakes' isn't exactly true . . . there is another one! It is located at Eagle Harbor, MI on Lake Superior. However, we still do hold bragging rights to having the last remaining Roosevelt-style boathouse on WESTERN LAKE MICHIGAN! Thanks to my friend, Jeff Shook I am humbled once again!! The Eagle Harbor boathouse is quite similar to ours, was built in 1939, and is curre

America's National Wildlife Refuges need your voice. The President's FY2027 budget proposal would reduce funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System from approximately $522 million to $417 million. The Refuge Association is urging Congress to instead provide $761 million for the National Wildlife Refuge System Operations and Maintenance account to ensure refuges can continue protecting wildlife, restoring habitat, and serving the public. Taking action is quick and easy. S

In January of 1915 George E. Fox wrote an in-depth article in the Wisconsin Archeologist, he wrote: ‘On Plum Island, about the harbor at the northern end, is another village site, according to inhabitants of Washington Island. This is the one reported to the Society by Mr. G.A. West. Two other reports of early Indian cultivation from this vicinity are recorded in “A Record of Wisconsin Antiquities,” p. 320. One refers to cultivation on Plum Island.’ He also notes that ‘

Like many folks, my parents honeymooned at the Niagara Falls; probably not thinking one iota about the significance of this natural wonder. It probably didn't cross their mind that the Falls is part of the greater Niagara Escarpment that begins near Rochester, New York and continues as far south as Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, where I live. Truthfully, up until recently, I didn't think it was all that important either -- I thought of it as just another tourist trap. But, on

As what usually happens to me, I was searching for something else and found a box of photos of the early Plum Island years that I'd forgotten about. The box had photos of the original eagles' nest that was along the trail, the first Lady's Slipper I'd ever seen, the Dwarf Lake Iris, volunteers that have moved on, and those who still capture the magic that Plum Island has to offer. These photos are ancient ... taken on an old film camera ... the kind of pictures that you hope

Growing up in Milwaukee, the only bird calls that I could recognize where those on my uncle's clock. Each hour a different bird would sing their signature song and wait their turn for another 24 hours. Then I walked the trail across Plum Island and learned how sheltered I'd been. There is a symphony of birdsong in the natural world! Thanks to the Merlin app my level of knowledge continues to increase as I now have the (cheater) tool to recognize the call of a Cedar Waxwing

Monarch Butterfly on Plum Island milkweed, 2025 season During the Festival of Nature a couple of weeks ago, we were greeted by two happy Monarch butterflies. They danced in the breeze and circled our group with happiness ... they made it from their winter roost in Mexico's fir forests. The Monarch butterfly is the only insect that migrates like birds do. Earlier this year they, or their great-great-grandparents, great-grandparents or grandparents, were awakened with a need t

Prepping Forest School students at Gills Rock dock. Queueing to clean shoes at the boot brush on Plum Island. Photo by Jude Kuenn The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands and the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge team are excited to announce a partnership with the Ridges Sanctuary and their Forest School! The Forest School is designed for homeschool students, ages 5-8 who enjoy outdoor, hands-on learning. During this program students hike through and learn from diverse ecosyst

Plum Island Trillium Plum Island once again hosted field trips for the Ridges Sanctuary 24th Annual Festival of Nature. This year we added two new programs to their event: 'Bat Heroes' and 'Small Wings, Big Impact'. We continued our well-attended 'Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge Exploration' program where guests learned about the work that we are doing on Plum and Pilot Islands. The 'Bat Heroes' program focused on the Little Brown Bats who reside in one of our historic

PLUM ISLAND BOATHOUSE NEEDS REPAIRS -- The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI) are working on a capital campaign to preserve and restore the historic Plum Island Boathouse. Plum Island Boathouse and Crews Quarters Necessary repairs include a roof replacement, interior and exterior painting, restoration or replacement of windows and doors, and electrical inspections and upgrades. The total estimated cost is $750,000. The roof replacement is an urgent priority estimated

From the WUAA member newsletter: Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) will once again be conducting a public citizen science shipwreck search. This year's target is the big schooner Plymouth that was lost in the great storm of 1913. She was last seen when left at anchor in the lee of Little Gull Island off the Door Peninsula. We will once again be chartering Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands' vessel The Shoreline to conduct the search and will be departing out

PETE LEMERE 1933-2026 We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pete LeMere. Pete passed away on April 5 th at his home in Green Bay. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marian, three children, six grandchildren, and four great-children. A graduate of Gibraltar High School, St. Norbert College (Bachelor’s), and the University of Michigan (Master’s). He spent his entire career in public health. He retired from the Brown County Health Department at age 63. Immediately aft

Dear Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands, As a significant winter storm rolls across Door County, our thoughts are on the historic buildings of Plum and Pilot Islands. Watching the snow fall is a vivid reminder of the harsh elements these structures face—and why we are reaching out to you now. We have a bold vision to transform the Plum Island Boathouse into a vibrant guest hub, featuring educational presentations and our new “Boatique” Nature Store. However, before we can op

Enjoy a Death’s Door Lighthouse Cruise with a stop on Plum Island. Boat departs from Shoreline Hotel Marina, Gills Rock Enjoy this tour of Death’s Door, including seeing the remote Pilot Island, Plum Island Range Lights, Lighthouse Keepers Quarters and the historic Coast Guard Life-Saving Station. The tour makes a stop at Plum Island, where guests may explore the grounds of the Life-Saving Station, boathouse, and beach areas. Back onboard, you’ll be able to view an 1867 shipw

Erin Railsback (USFWS) happily displaying the proof for one of the interpretive panels We are excited to announce that 10 interpretive panels are now in production and will be shipped to the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge at the end of February for installation on Plum Island during the 2026 season. The panels were a team effort between the dedicated USFWS staff and FOPPI volunteers. The panels will provide a guide for visitors to Plum Island to learn about why this island

Perhaps you've taken the ferry over to Washington Island and wondered about the islands (Plum and Pilot) that you saw along the way, or...

COMING SOON!! As a Destination Door County (DDC) partner, we are happy to announce that Plum Island is included in the Door County...

Mary Beth Volmer - President of Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands 40300 tied up at Plum Island I received a call from the current owner of...