Expanding Access to Lake Michigan’s First & Only National Marine Sanctuary

In lieu of a fundraising website, Shipwreck Coast Friends set out to answer a bold question: ‘What would a tourism website for a National Marine Sanctuary look like?’ The result is a cinematic, content-rich digital experience designed to inspire real-world exploration. By blending mission-driven storytelling with a tourism-forward approach, the site builds awareness for Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast, its vibrant communities, and the full spectrum of Sanctuary experiences waiting to be had.

In only 5 months post-launch, the new website quadrupled the organization’s qualified web traffic and nearly tripled its returning users—proving meaningful progress toward its mission ‘to connect as many people as possible to Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes through Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.’

Lauded as a best-in-class example for National Marine Sanctuaries and Friends Group partnerships, the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast website demonstrates how digital experiences can inspire exploration and invite people to engage with their National Marine Sanctuary—however they choose to experience it.