Lake Superior is not only the largest of the Great Lakes, but the water quality is also some of the clearest. Yet, historically, the Lake was often a dumping ground for all kinds of debris. "Out of sight, out of mind” was an all-too-common mindset. Don Fassbender, president of Great Lakes Scuba Diving and Lake Preservation, has made it his life's mission to clean up Lake Superior’s underwater world. With volunteers, including fellow divers and kayakers, he estimates 14 tons of tires have been hauled up from Marquette MIchigan's Lower Harbor. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Don about how his mission started and the mysteries he's found below the surface.

Key Takeaways + Notable Quotes:

A Lifelong Passion for Diving Inspired by Jacques Cousteau

“As a young man, I can recall racing home from school just so I wouldn't miss the undersea world of Jacques Cousteau.”

Vintage Diving Equipment Connects Divers More Intimately with the Water

“There's actually less things that can go wrong... Vintage kit would look like a tank, a regulator, some fins, maybe a wetsuit and a mask, and then you're off. No computers, no fancy gauges.”

Tons of Trash are Hidden Beneath Lake Superior

“We removed, what, 14 tons of tires out of Marquette Lower Harbor alone over a period of about five years. And there's still a lot of trash down there.”

Removing Underwater Debris is Complex and Laborious

Heavy items, poor visibility, and underwater hazards make cleanup efforts extremely challenging.

Why Tires are Prevalent in Lake Superior

“Tires were used as boat bumpers for years and years…as weather wears them down…they would just string another one up in its place.”

Community Involvement is Essential for Successful Cleanups

Volunteers on land, in boats, and even kayaks significantly contribute to cleanup missions.

Safety and Equipment Needs Drive Fundraising Efforts

Specialized gear and safety equipment are critical for diver safety and efficiency.

Surprising Finds Beneath the Surface Tell Unique Stories

“One of my favorite finds, a little diamond ring that was tied to a rock with a shoelace.” Every item retrieved from Lake Superior carries its own history, some humorous, some mysterious.

Resources:

• Great Lakes Scuba Divers
  • https://greatlakesscubadivers.com
• Connect with Diver Don on Facebook
  • https://www.facebook.com/DiverDonScuba
  • https://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesScubaDivers
• Contact Don directly with cleanup leads
  • Email: president@greatlakesscubadivers.com

Connect With Us:

• Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability.
  • Learn more: https://cafeimports.com
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks:
  • https://nplsf.org/donate

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Diver Don Fassbender share firsthand experiences from beneath Lake Superior’s waters, the incredible teamwork required for environmental preservation, and how you can help protect the Great Lakes.

"If you didn’t grow it, you’ve got to mine it,” says John Jaszczak, Director and Curator of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan. Since 1838--just after Michigan became a state--geologists and miners have been collecting rock and mineral specimens as the first American Mining Rush began. Since 1855, those specimens were housed at Michigan Technological University, then known as Michigan College of Mines, making it one of the oldest museums not only in Michigan, but the Great Lakes region. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with John about the museum origins and what a visitor can find there.

Key Takeaways + Notable Quotes:

The region’s history—from Indigenous use to mining booms to today’s tourism—stems from its globally unique native copper deposit.

“The reason we’re here is because of the geology. And because of copper in particular.”

What began as a teaching collection for Michigan Tech’s School of Mines became a public museum in 1902.

“The collection started in 1885 when the university started offering courses in mineralogy.”

From discovery tales to global expeditions, the museum presents minerals as more than geology.

“Some specimens have scientific stories. Some have personal stories. Some have adventure stories.”

Under ultraviolet light, otherwise ordinary-looking minerals burst into color.

“That’s the part where most people say, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect this.’”

John’s lifelong fascination with minerals led him to volunteer, then direct, the museum alongside his career in physics.

“I started collecting minerals when I was probably five or six years old... and I just loved it.”

From working with scientists around the world to publishing in mineralogical journals, the museum plays an active role in global discovery.

“There's something magical about being the first to describe and name something.”

The Keweenaw’s native copper is on display in museum-quality form that you can’t find anywhere else.

“We have the world’s best specimens of copper. No question about it.”

Resources:

• Visit the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum: https://museum.mtu.edu
• Explore Native Copper in the Keweenaw: https://www.mindat.org/museum-139.html
• Keweenaw National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/kewe/index.htm

Connect With Us:

• Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability.
  Learn more: https://cafeimports.com
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks:
  https://nplsf.org/donate

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Dr. John Jaszczak share the rich history of Michigan’s native copper legacy, how the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum became one of the nation’s premier mineral museums, and why its specimens continue to captivate visitors, researchers, and collectors from around the world.

Isle Royale National Park is the Great Lakes Mecca for backpackers. This archipelago of islands is also one of our most remote National Parks so preparing for a visit takes extra planning. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Chris Amidon, Supervisory Park Ranger for Interpretation and Visitor Services. He not only has tips for first-timers, but also has details on some new procedures, particularly when it comes to food storage.

Key Takeaways:

• Planning your experience shapes everything:
  “The first thing we ask is, what type of experience are you looking to have?” From backpacking and boating to lodge stays, your approach determines your transportation and gear.
  
  
• Getting to the island is part of the journey:
  “Part of the Isle Royale experience is the transportation to the island. It’s that extra step that most parks don’t have.”
  
  
• Food storage regulations have changed:
  Starting in 2025, visitors are required to use approved food storage containers due to wildlife activity near camps and harbors.
  
  
• Wildlife sightings are rare but magical:
  “Encountering a moose is a really magical moment and I remember backpacking a trip I did with my daughter... those are the types of experiences that Isle Royale offer just by putting yourself in this remote island setting.”
  
  
• Most of Isle Royale is federally designated wilderness:
  99% of the park is wilderness, meaning motorized equipment is limited—adding to both its preservation and the physical demands of upkeep.
  
  
• The Artist-in-Residence program reveals new perspectives:
  “The Artist-in-Residence Program… that’s kind of my, I would say, my soft spot.” From Shakespearean sonnets to ceramic bark impressions, Chris helps curate a mix of art forms that deepen understanding of the island.
  
  
• Visitation may be low, but the planning is intense:
  Only about 20,000 people visit Isle Royale each year—and most come during just three months—putting pressure on resources and requiring detailed planning.

Resources:

• Isle Royale National Park – Plan your visit
  https://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm
  
  
• Ranger III Ferry & Seaplane Info –
  https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/directions.htm
  
  
• Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence Program –
  https://www.nps.gov/isro/getinvolved/artist-in-residence.htm
  
  

Connect With Us:

• Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast
  
  
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
  
  
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability.
  Learn more: https://cafeimports.com
  
  
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks:
  https://nplsf.org/donate
  
  

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Chris Amidon share essential guidance for visitors, the inside story on Artist-in-Residence selections, and the quiet power of a sunrise over Feltman Lake.