Lake Superior’s National Parks Are Modeling Decarbonization
A Climate Solutions Series Update
By Sarah Clark, National Parks of Lakes Superior Foundation
NPLSF and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore staff and leadership gathered in October to test new equipment from Husqvarna’s Professional Battery Products line. Photo: Sam Miller @robinhoodwasright
Last January at The Great Northern's Climate Solutions Series, the National Parks of Lakes Superior Foundation (NPLSF) made a first-ever announcement: Lake Superior’s five national parks were committed to achieving net-zero energy to reduce carbon emissions, and model—for visitors and other parks—that a carbon-free future is possible.
NPLSF leaders, who were joined onstage by U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Askov Finlayson CEO Eric Dayton, and Isle Royale National Park Superintendent Denice Swanke, have exciting progress to report. “Each park has unique factors to consider as they transition off fossil fuel onto clean electricity and more efficient systems,” said NPLSF Executive Director Tom Irvine. “This has been a year of pursuing some near-term wins while also securing some important new support for the future.”
Among the current projects are Keweenaw National Historical Park’s work to utilize high efficiency and renewable energy designs in their new Lake Superior Collection Management Center. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore’s Hokenson House will soon replace old propane-powered appliances with new high-efficiency electric appliances, reducing its carbon footprint and improving the living conditions in this historic building at Little Sand Bay.
One particularly vivid display of the energy transition in action can be found at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which is replacing gas-powered trail and maintenance equipment with clean, quiet, all-electric, battery-powered models.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Trail Supervisor Mark Liles tests an electric chain saw as NPLSF Executive Director Tom Irvine looks on. Photo: Sam Miller @robinhoodwasright
The park recently tested battery-powered chainsaws, pole saws and brush cutters that will virtually eliminate carbon emissions, reduce noise, and improve safety for park staff. NPLSF will be supplying the new equipment, made by Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna, for the park to pilot in the coming year.
This win-win combination inspired Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Superintendent Dave Horne who wanted his park to take on a green project that was achievable quickly. “This equipment will not only benefit the park employees who will use it,” he said, “but it will also benefit the larger environment by reducing unwanted noise and carbon emissions.” See and hear more about what park leaders have to say in this video.
As NPLSF pursues more extensive changes, including replacing diesel generators with solar and battery storage at Isle Royale National Park, installing air source heat pumps for heating and cooling park buildings, and transitioning Grand Portage National Monument onto clean electricity, it will soon have a new project manager to lead the technical elements of the process.
“Askov Finlayson provided seed capital for the engineering work to decarbonize the parks, and in the past year we are pleased that two new supporters, the National Park Foundation and The McKnight Foundation, have stepped up to fund project manager John Chekan, a seasoned former National Parks operations person skilled in getting projects in the ground,” Irvine said.
NPLSF’s goal is for all of Lake Superior’s national parks to fully decarbonize their buildings and operations and provide education that inspires park visitors to replicate these projects at home. As the 2023 Great Northern presentation highlighted, the Decarbonize the Parks project shows how it can be done, helping millions of visitors recognize that if heat pumps can heat and cool park buildings in a northern wilderness, they can work anywhere—both in and outside the parks.
This year’s Climate Solutions Series takes place at the American Swedish Institute, January 27-28. For more information and tickets, visit thegreatnorthernfestival.com.
The National Parks of Lakes Superior Foundation (NPLSF) is the nonprofit philanthropic partner of the five national parks of Lake Superior: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. For more information visit nplsf.org.