FOPPI Blog

Tim Fiest, Pat Nelson, Jon Wall on THE SHORELINE Earlier this summer, Pat Nelson, an Inventory Forester contracted by the Department of Nature Resources (DNR), reached out to FOPPI to ask if we could transport him to St. Martin Island to inventory a 1/6-acre plot. The primary challenge was determining how to access the island safely. We considered several options, including towing a boat or Zodiac, launching canoes or kayaks off The Shoreline, and navigating into the tricky

Volunteers replacing old decking on Plum Island's timber frame rock crib pier Seven volunteers with the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI) departed from Gills Rock aboard The Shoreline on September 18, 2026, to work on the Plum Island pier. The boat was piloted by Captain Scott Nelson with assistance from his crew member, Doug Smith. Both Nelson and Smith were stationed on Plum Island while serving in the Coast Guard. The Plum Island station was manned until 1990, a

2025-2026 US Fish & Wildlife Service Volunteer of the Year, Jim Schwartz The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI) is a 100% volunteer-run organization that provides fundraising, advocacy and community outreach to the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Together we've done extensive preservation and restoration work on the historic maritime structures on the islands and have made some wonderful memories with like-minded friends along the way. We do it because we care about the

PETE LEMERE 1933-2026 We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pete LeMere. Pete passed away on April 5th 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 after

Have you ever taken the ferry to Washington Island? If so, you might have spotted Plum and Pilot Islands along the way! Maybe you’ve seen someone proudly wearing their FOPPI gear at the grocery store or gas station. Or perhaps you’ve heard someone rave about their amazing time on Plum Island and thought about volunteering. Why not join us? FOPPI volunteers are truly the best of the best! Why Volunteer with FOPPI? Volunteering with Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI) is

By: Mary Beth Volmer President - Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Friends often ask me why I volunteer for a place that takes me 5-1/2...