Our Progress: Best Management Practices & Accomplishments

Goals and objectives are the engine that drives the Integrated Environmental Plan (IEP) forward on a year-by-year basis. They are focused upon identified significant impacts, thus allowing park staff to focus their resources on what is most important during any given annual cycle. Over a longer term, goals and objectives are related to our future visions in that they demonstrate whether progress over time is on a trajectory to attain the associated future vision.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore commits to all reasonable efforts to implement sustainable practices in planning, operations, management decisions, and policy development, consistent with the policy framework contained within the parks Environmental Commitment Statement. These commitments are realized each year through the setting and achievement of goals, objectives, and targets as part of the environmental planning process guided by its IEP.

Our General Goals To Improve Sustainability:

• Increase fleet efficiency - Use automobiles and boats that consume less fuel or use cleaner and renewable energy sources

• Increase building efficiency - Reduce energy and water consumption, investigate and integrate energy efficient technologies into new buildings or retrofit projects.

• Improved fuel management - Reduce fuel consumption overall and manage fuel use more conservatively (through consolidated trips and other strategies)

• Track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the main contributor to climate change

A Sample Of Some Of Our Projects And Achievements To Improve Sustainability:

APIS Biodiesel Boat Nenookaasi

NPS Photo

Purchase and use of enhanced efficiency vehicles, vessels and fuels. We are now using hybrid vehicle models of the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape; have replaced our 2-stroke engine ATVs and Snowmobiles with low emission 4-stoke engine models; and use, to the greatest practical extent, alternate fuels such as Biodiesel (up to 40%) in some vehicles, vessels and power equipment; and use propane and solar energy sources to provide power and heat to some buildings.

• Replaced florescent light bulbs with LED bulbs in 55% to 98% of light fixtures at four park buildings (more building will soon be converted over). LED bulbs are more energy efficient, longer lasting and environmentally friendly.

• Developed a boat transportation spreadsheet that allows trips and tasks to be strategically scheduled by staff. This helps us reduce mileage, fuel costs, wear and tear, and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Established a "Take Me To" rack where park staff can stage equipment to be delivered to other park locations in consolidated trips. For example, if a future project on an island will require 10 picnic tables this may mean 5 trips to the island specifically to drop off the tables. Using the "Take Me To" rack, park staff not working on the project, but other wise going to or near the island needing the tables, can drop them off so they will be in place for the projects start. This saves time and transportation costs, while increasing efficiency.
  

Solar and Propane power on Rocky Island

NPS Photo

• The use of ten photovoltaic (solar) electrical systems to operate island water systems and provide power to island ranger stations and staff quarters. These systems provide a cost effective means of supplying clean renewable power for items such as water pumps, septic system mound pumps, refrigerators, fans, lighting, cell phone recharging and two-way radios.
  

• Received a Certificate of Recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency for our efforts at transitioning existing computers, monitors and uninterruptible power supplies to new "Green" models, which provide increased energy efficiency and cost savings while minimizing environmental impacts.
  

There are many other examples of changes we are making to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize environmental impacts and increase sustainability of park operations. The use of the Integrated Environmental Plan, along with our participation in the Climate Friendly Parks Program, serves as a blueprint to achievable and effective actions. We hope our actions will set an example and encourage visitors to reduce their own energy use both here and upon return to their homes, workplaces and communities.

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