Friends Annual Report – 2018
This year we provided about $114,000 in support of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our 618 members also provided over 11,000 volunteer hours. As an all-volunteer organization, we have very low...
View ArticleGovernment Shutdown Impacts Sleeping Bear Dunes
During the shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) will remain as accessible as possible while still following...
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Snowshoe & Chili — Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes Fundraiser
Thanks Cherry Public House and Cherry Republic! We can’t wait to snowshoe and enjoy some chili with you all. Many of you have been asking how you can help, this is a great way. Hope you can join us. **...
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Call for Volunteers to Accompany Track Chair Participants
In the past, the closest Jeanne Esch got to the beach was the parking lot. As Chair of the Accessibility Committee for Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Jeanne has had a long-time love of our sandy...
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Communications Director Named
Laura Ann Johnson has been named Communications Director for Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. She will be responsible for all media and public relations for the organization. Laura Ann is also a member...
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Kids Raise Funds for National Lakeshore & Meet Park Superintendent
Last year, Steiner sisters Alyssa (10) and Kylie (7) raised over $600 for victims of the hurricanes in Puerto Rico. So when they showed interest in having another fundraiser this year, the only...
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Fourth-grader Uses Track Chair to Join Classmates on Snowshoe Hike
“When I heard one of the students could not attend the snowshoe field trip because he uses a wheelchair, it got me thinking,” described Friends Chairman Kerry Kelly. “Maybe he could use our new Track...
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BARK Rangers and Piping Plover
Unleashed dogs running the beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are one of the biggest threats to the endangered piping plover. But other dogs and their human companions who volunteer as...
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Greetings From Yellowstone!
Our Communications Director recently took a trip to visit family right outside of Yellowstone National Park. Not only did they travel around the park but Laura Ann also met with Wendie Carr the Chief...
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10 Signs Spring Has Sprung
1. Spring Peepers – Wetlands thaw and release choruses of spring peepers, soon joined by red-winged blackbirds trilling from budding bushes. 2. Ruffed Grouse sounds – Male ruffed grouse stand atop old...
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All You Need to Know for Morels Hunting in the National Lakeshore
IT’S MOREL SEASON! Are you enjoying the first glorious days of spring searching for those golden hidden treasures we call Morel mushrooms? Julie Christian, Chief of Natural Resources at Sleeping Bear...
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The Very Best Family Fun Activities at the National Lakeshore
First, I highly recommend doing the Scenic Drive and stopping at stop # 9 Lake Michigan Overlook. Don’t plan to go down to the Lake Michigan beach from there unless you are prepared for the extremely...
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Track Chair Reservations OPEN
Do you long to get back into nature and hike a trail that is just too steep or sandy? Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is offering FREE use of a Track Chair for those with mobility limitations. This is...
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New Benches installed on Heritage Trail
Have you noticed some new benches along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT)? We just installed 8 new benches, bringing the total to 14. After the first section of the SBHT was built in 2012, we...
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Petoskeys: Hunt, Enjoy, But Please Don’t Take
Searching for Petoskey stones may as well be Michigan’s favorite pastime. These beautiful prehistoric coral have been found all over the state, even on forest floors. They are remnants of a coral reef...
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Kettles Trail Update
Work on the new Kettles Trail has been completed for this year. We have a few more things to add in 2020 – an interpretive overlook at the bog, and an interpretive sign and bench at the end of the...
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Volunteer at the park on National Public Lands Day, September 28th
Date: Saturday, September 28th, 2019 Time: 9 AM -1 PM Place: The trail at Bass Lake National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to enjoy and give something back to those places we love. Sleeping Bear...
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Hike the Heritage Trail
All are welcome to join us as we close out Summer and welcome Fall, for our Second Annual “Hike the Heritage” on Saturday, September 28th. Fall colors are on schedule, so the trail will have beautiful...
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Call for Volunteers for Race Through Sleeping Bear
Help is needed at the Sleeping Bear Marathon Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019 Time: 7 AM -2 PM – different positions require different time commitments Place: Race Start & Finish will be in Empire,...
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Sharing the shorelines, protecting piping plovers at Sleeping Bear
Blog by: Susan Poirier-Sorg, environmental writer It was 1993 when two piping plover pairs were sighted. Both were on North Manitou Island, one pair at Dimmick’s Point and another at Donner’s Point....
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