Dive in There is no human story without water This is ours Our priorities The Friends of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Shipwreck Coast Friends for short!) is the philanthropic partners of the sanctuary. Our mission is to connect people to Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes through our priorities: Amplifying access and awareness Great Lakes and freshwater science Preserving our maritime history Our promise is to make the online, on-land, on-water, and underwater experience of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary extraordinary. We help the Sanctuary seize key opportunities and meet urgencies with innovative funding, advocacy, and vibrant community support. How you can help Community-based and National in Scope The sanctuary was nominated by local communities and is co-managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Wisconsin. It expands on the state's 30-year management of these incredible historic sites, bringing new opportunities for research and education. In partnership with local communities, the sanctuary provides a national stage for promoting recreation and heritage tourism. The sanctuary is part of the National Marine Sanctuary System, a network of underwater parks that protect iconic natural and cultural treasures across our nation. Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary (WSCNMS) provides stewardship for our nation’s maritime heritage in Lake Michigan, including 40 historic shipwrecks. Designated in 2021, the 962 square-mile sanctuary stretches for 82 miles from Port Washington through Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Two Rivers, WI. People have been plying sanctuary waters for 12,000 years. Shipwrecks here represent vessels that played a central role in building the nation between the 1830s and 1930s. Thirty-one are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and research suggests another 60 wrecks may yet to be discovered.