June 2021 Newsletter

Welcome to Summer! All reports indicate this is going to be another summer for the record books and we are excited and getting ready! Don’t miss out on our volunteer training on June 5th at 2 pm and other opportunities to give to Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes this month. Check out some updates from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore like new education programs and newly renovated dock on South Manitou Island as well as more information about how to purchase Picture-Perfect Sleeping Bear: A History in Photos from National Lakeshore Visitors our NEW book.

Hope you can join us! The Annual Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes training is scheduled for June 5th, 2 pm.
The training will take place on zoom – A link will be provided via our website the day prior to training: https://friendsofsleepingbear.org/2021-volunteer-training/
Training includes a general orientation that is applicable for all volunteers, both experienced and new Friends. This training is a once-a-year chance for volunteers to hear the latest park news from park staff. It will include updates from the park superintendent, park rangers, and the park volunteer coordinator. COVID protocols in the park will be an important part of this general training.

Sample Page from the upcoming book, Picture Perfect Sleeping Bear.

Picture-Perfect Sleeping Bear showcases the beauty of Sleeping Bear country, which has enchanted people for centuries. It highlights the fun-filled activities that bring people to visit here by the millions. It shows the area as it was when settlers came here to lumber and to farm, and it explores how Sleeping Bear Dunes has been preserved and protected since the National Lakeshore was established 50 years ago. Hundreds of pictures tell the stories. The result is an 8.5 x 11, 128 pages, full-color book of shared memories celebrating Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The cost is $29.95, plus shipping, handling, and sales tax. We expect delivery of the books by early July.
Preordering will be available soon at www.friends of sleeping bear.org.

Back by popular demand, the 2nd round of 50th Anniversary Bear logo merchandise will be kicking off this June. This event we will be offering lots of color options, styles, women’s sizes, sportswear and more! This fundraiser event helps us raise revenue for the Friends, which directly supports vital park programs. Keep an eye on our website:https://friendsofsleepingbear.org/bear-logo-sale and stay tuned to social media, we’ll be making the big announcement soon.

First river cleanups are scheduled for the Crystal River on June 10th and Platte River on June 17th at 9 AM. We’ll start with a very brief welcome/orientation followed by the cleanup at the kayak launch site and then the river. Learn more about these events and how you can participate by visiting our website. https://friendsofsleepingbear.org/adopt-a-river-events-2021/
Please email beckersupnorth@yahoo.com if you plan to attend. We’ll have “grabbers” and volunteer vests for your use and kayaks will be provided. Please bring a mask, which is required for transportation to the kayak launch site. Also, it is recommended that you have coverings for your feet, as you never know what’s under the water should you tip over. A light lunch will be provided following the cleanup. Feel free to email with any questions.

Our Track Chair Program will return to the trails in July! Visitors who require assistance in hiking rustic trails can now reserve the use of a Track Chair at: https://calendly.com/friends-acessability
At this time, the Track Chairs will only be available on Friday, Saturday, and Monday on the Bay View Trail.

If you would like to volunteer for this very rewarding program, please reach out to trackchair@friendsofsleepinfbear.org We need volunteers to accompany visitors using the track chair and others that might be interested in helping with the reservations and coordination of the program.

SBD National Lakeshore new spring and summer education programs

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) announces new spring and summer education programs. Discover a new skill, conduct a science experiment, or create a work of art in a program with the National Lakeshore. Try one of the following options for students to learn about their park! Activity Kits, Classroom Lessons, Live Virtual Lessons.

Email slbe_education@nps.gov to sign up for a virtual program, request classroom lessons, or receive a teacher-led kit.

Friends Volunteers and Park staff started working on much-needed beach stairs repairs this month with more work to be completed in the coming weeks.

High water and big storms have damaged many of our beach access starts. The beach stairs at No-Name Road near Camps Kohahna and Leelanau have been repaired. The repairs at Sunset Shores Dr beach stairs are almost completed. Lane Road beach stairs had to be completely removed and will be redesigned. The cost estimate for the entire project is about $8,000. The timing of the repair of the Lane road stairs will be after this summer or early fall. Please consider donating towards the Lane stair repair project by donating on our website. Just indicate the donation is for “Beach Stair Repair” in the comment.

Yoga on Glen Haven Beach – Summer Solstice

We are excited for the summer return of more activities – including Yoga on the Beach. Join us for our Summer Kick-off and a sunset class at 7 PM on Sunday, June 20th at Glen Haven Beach with Amy from Yoga on the Beach NMI.

Classes will continue on Friday Mornings at 10 am from June 25th through July and August.
Learn more on the Yoga on the Beach Program Page of our website.

South Manitou Island Ready for Visitors!

The newly renovated dock on South Manitou Island is ready to greet you this summer. High water levels and winter ice damaged the dock in 2019/2020. It is now elevated and new boards line the deck. Staff are busy on the island preparing for summer visitors. Are you planning to visit the island this summer? Check out trip planning information on the NPS website, and visit the Manitou Island Transit website, www.Manitoutransit.com, for ferry information.