May 07, 2009
National Lakeshore Partners Instrumental in Relighting South Manitou Island Lighthouse
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, the National Park Service (NPS) invites you to officially celebrate the relighting of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse. Thanks to a partnership with Manitou Islands Memorial Society, Manitou Island Transit, and Electro-Optics Technology, Inc., Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore installed a replica third-order Fresnel lens in the completely refurbished lantern room of the lighthouse last fall. Although the light was tested at that time, it was too late in the season to host a formal ceremony.
April 26, 2009
May "Saturdays at the Lakeshore"
Would you like to visit a beaver pond, listen for frogs, smell spring wildflowers, search for morels, or identify migrating birds? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the place to do all that and more. Spring is an excellent time to get outdoors and National Park Rangers are looking forward to sharing some of their favorite places in the Lakeshore with you during five “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” in May.
April 24, 2009
Lakeshore Receives Federal Stimulus Funds
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is slated to receive about $2.2 million of the $750 million stimulus funding allocated for national parks under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
April 21, 2009
Antique Apple and Pear Tree Pruning Workshop
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be hosting a pruning workshop on
Friday, May 1 at the Schmidt Farmstead in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. To get to the workshop, travel five miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22 and turn left on Basch Road. From there, just follow the signs down Basch Road to the Schmidt Farm.
April 13, 2009
2009 Junior Ranger Day at the Dunes
On Saturday, April 25, children of all ages are invited to become Junior Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on National Junior Ranger Day. Special activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and are planned throughout the day, with a badge and swearing in ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
March 18, 2009
Saturdays at the Lakeshore in April
Whether a new or frequent visitor, spring is an excellent time to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Detect glacial remains. Observe the winter-bound and migratory waterfowl. Discover the history of hidden farms. Join a park ranger as they share some of their favorite places during “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” in April.
March 04, 2009
Revised Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Trailway Plan and Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments announces the availability of the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Trailway Plan and Environmental Assessment beginning on March 5, 2009. This document, which has been revised from the October 2008 draft, describes and analyzes alternative locations for a non-motorized Trailway along state highways M-22 and M-109 in Leelanau County.
February 20, 2009
Saturday Snowshoe Hikes To Continue Into March
The popular Saturday afternoon snowshoe hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will continue into March as long as snow conditions permit. March often provides some of the best snowshoeing conditions of the winter. Meet at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire at 1:00 p.m. each Saturday. If you don’t have your own, snowshoes will be provided free. Later in the month, if snow conditions deteriorate, rangers will offer guided nature hikes to explore the changing of the seasons.
January 09, 2009
Extra Snowshoe Hikes for Extra Snow!
This year’s winter wonderland is just too wonderful to pass up a chance to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with a National Park Ranger. Excellent snow conditions have inspired the Park to schedule additional snowshoe hikes on Sunday, January 18th and Sunday, January 25th. These are in addition to the snowshoe walks offered every Saturday through the end of February or later, if conditions permit.
January 05, 2009
Sleeping Bear Dunes Superintendent Signs Long-Awaited General Management Plan
Flanked by her senior management staff, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz signed the park’s General Management Plan/ Wilderness Study/ Environmental Impact Statement at 11:00 a.m. on January 5, 2009 in a brief ceremony at the Lakeshore Visitor Center.
January 02, 2009
Sleeping Bear Dunes General Management Plan Signing
Signing of the long-awaited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement
December 11, 2008
Snowshoe Hikes Resume at the Dunes!
Now that the snow has arrived, join a National Park Ranger on snowshoes and explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in all of its winter splendor! Snowshoe walks are offered every Saturday beginning December 27, and continue through the end of February or later, if conditions permit.
December 03, 2008
Gift of the Lakeshore
If you are looking for a long lasting, fun-filled holiday gift for someone who loves to go to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, why not wrap up an annual park pass for them? For just $20, a pass covers the entrance fee for one year from date of purchase and is good for everyone in one vehicle. Whether it’s the National Lakeshore beaches from Platte Point to Good Harbor Bay, the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the historic village of Glen Haven, 100+ miles of trails on the mainland, or the Manitou Islands that are favorite places, an annual pass allows the owner to visit anytime and throughout all the seasons.
November 25, 2008
Bald Eagle Release
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore invites the public to witness the release of a Bald Eagle into the wild on Saturday, November 29, at 3:00 p.m. from the parking lot of the Visitor Center (on M-72) in Empire. Rebecca Lessard, Executive Director of Wings of Wonder, a non-profit raptor rehabilitation facility, chose this site to celebrate her last Eagle release of 2008. Bring a camera, as there will be many opportunities for great pictures!
November 04, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Releases Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that the Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement (Final GMP/WS/EIS) is now available for public review.
October 30, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Welcomes Deer Hunters
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provides the following information to help deer hunters who will be visiting the National Lakeshore. Hunters are welcome and the National Park Service seeks the cooperation of all our visitors in protecting and sharing the resources of the park during the hunt.
October 15, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Presents Artist-in-Residence Program
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to introduce October’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Kathleen Heideman, a poet from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing herself in the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. She will present a free program for the public highlighting her work on Friday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. in Empire at the Lakeshore’s Visitor Center.
October 10, 2008
Entrance Fee Waived for Veterans and Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on Veterans Day
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce that all U.S. military veterans and current members of the U.S. armed forces and their families are invited to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore free-of-charge on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008.
September 29, 2008
Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Trailway Plan and Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments announces the availability of the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Trailway Plan and Environmental Assessment beginning on October 1, 2008. This document describes and analyzes alternative locations for a non-motorized trailway along highways M-22 and M-109 in Leelanau County. The proposed trailway would begin at Manning Road on the Leelanau-Benzie County line and end at County Road 651 at the north end of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The trailway would be entirely on public lands in the National Lakeshore or on county road or state highway rights-of-way.
September 23, 2008
Port Oneida Rural Historic District Environmental Assessment Completed
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announces the completion of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA includes plans for future historic preservation and use of some of the buildings and landscapes in Port Oneida, as well as development of some visitor access facilities.
September 19, 2008
Fee Free Day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Saturday, September 27, 2008 is National Public Lands Day (NPLD) across the country: a day where fees are waived and volunteers participate in special events called “Helping Hands for America’s Lands.” At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, waiver of the entrance fee means it will be free to access the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Glen Haven, Port Oneida, Platte Point, the Manitou Islands, and all the trails and beaches managed by the National Park Service.
September 15, 2008
Lakeshore Hosts Beach Cleanup for National Public Lands Day
If you love the sun, fun, and beauty of our area beaches, now you can show it! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is celebrating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, September 27, and inviting the public to help clean up the Lakeshore’s beaches. Bring your family, your class, your troop, your group, or just yourself, and join others in protecting our treasured coastline by collecting and tallying everything found along the beach: plastic bags, balloons, cigarettes, 6-pack holders—you name it!
September 15, 2008
National Lakeshore Presents Artist-in-Residence Program
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to introduce 2008’s September Artist-in-Residence (AIR) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Hanna Louise Poston, a poet from Asheville, North Carolina, is living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing herself in the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. She will present a free program highlighting her work on Thursday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lakeshore visitor center.
September 05, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Offers North Manitou Island Deer Hunt
Permits are now available for the North Manitou Island special deer hunt within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
July 11, 2008
Researchers at the National Lakeshore Dig the Beach! Find Out What They Are Studying
While most visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are relaxing on the beaches and dunes, they are unaware of the vast array of scientific research efforts going on at the same time. In any given year, there may be 25 - 30 different research programs authorized within the Lakeshore, often through the efforts of well-known colleges, universities, and/or other government agencies. Scientists are studying air quality, amphibians and ticks, to name just a few of the topics. And now, the public has an opportunity to interact with two individuals who are currently conducting research in the Lakeshore. Both programs are free, will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at the National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire on M-72, and everyone is welcome to attend.
June 26, 2008
Manitou Island Transit Awarded New Ten-Year Contract at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Manitou Island Transit, of Leland, Michigan, has been selected as the concessioner for the operation of the passenger ferry service to the Manitou Islands within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for a new ten-year contract term, according to an announcement by Superintendent Dusty Shultz.
June 26, 2008
Lakeshore Employee Receives National Award
Engineering Equipment Operator George Henderson is the 2007 recipient of the National Park Service Director’s Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance.
June 23, 2008
Bike Tours Offered at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Superintendent Dusty Shultz welcomes Ryan Locke to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as a Transportation Interpreter, a position sponsored by the National Park Foundation (NPF) and through the generous support of Ford Motor Company, Proud Partner of America’s National Parks. Locke, from Spring Lake, Michigan, will spend the summer creating and offering bicycle tours to the public and promoting the use of alternative transportation in the National Lakeshore.
June 09, 2008
Barn Restoration Workshop June 28-29, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be hosting its annual barn restoration workshop June 28-29 in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The workshop will be held at the Lawr Farmstead on M-22 and Basch Road, approximately 5 miles north of Glen Arbor. The Lakeshore and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network are providing the instructors for this workshop.
May 27, 2008
Treat Yourself with a Saturday at the Lakeshore
The wildflowers are out, the birds are singing, and the weather is just right for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. So put down the garden rake, get off the lawn mower and treat yourself to a hike with a National Park Service Ranger. “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 where you meet a Park Ranger for an introduction to that day’s topic.
May 21, 2008
Lakeshore Delays Use of Prescribed Fire to Preserve Landscape
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has advised that plans for a prescribed fire to maintain open fields in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District area have been postponed.
May 08, 2008
National Lakeshore Presents Living History Days for Students
Elementary school students are invited to explore an historic Great Lakes village, complete with a blacksmith shop, a general store, and a U.S. Life-Saving Service Station. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will present two days of special historical demonstrations and tours on May 29 and 30, 2008 at the restored Glen Haven Village. “Glen Haven Days” is designed to supplement classroom learning and bring history to life by providing students with many new, first-hand experiences relating to Michigan’s maritime heritage. Students will watch a blacksmith at the forge, compare and contrast historic boats, visit a general store, learn how ships and engines were powered by steam, participate in a shipwreck rescue, and much more.
May 06, 2008
Lakeshore Will Use Prescribed Fire to Preserve Landscape
Farmers have long known that fire is an excellent tool for clearing fields, and firefighters at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will soon be using it to maintain the open fields of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. These former agricultural fields are managed as cultural landscapes that help tell the story of the settlers of Port Oneida. These same fields also provide habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife. To help maintain the open character of these landscapes, the Lakeshore will utilize prescribed fire at the former Burfiend farm in Port Oneida in May.
May 02, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Selected for First Two National Park Service Centennial Projects
The South Manitou Island Lighthouse is about to beam for the first time in 50 years and the National Lakeshore’s famous sand dunes are going to be protected from a weed invasion. “These two projects have been made possible due to the generosity of our partners and the new National Park Service Centennial Initiative,” said Superintendent Dusty Shultz.
April 29, 2008
Antique Apple and Pear Tree Pruning Workshop - Rescheduled for May 5th
PLEASE NOTE - DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 5.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be hosting a pruning workshop on May 2 in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The workshop will be held at the Lawr Farmstead in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District 5 miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22. Just follow the signs. Parking will be off Basch Road.
April 28, 2008
Saturdays at the Lakeshore in May
Would you like to visit a beaver pond, smell spring wildflowers, search for morels, or identify migrating birds? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the place to do all that and more. Spring is an excellent time to hike and National Park Rangers are looking forward to sharing some of their favorite places in the National Lakeshore with you during five “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” in May.
April 28, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Announces Change in Beach Pet Areas
If you want to walk your dog on the beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, there are six, newly-designated areas where you may go. “In response to public feedback about confusing signs, complicated instructions, and pets in closed areas, we have revised our pet policy and established more easily recognizable zones effective immediately,” said Chief Ranger Larry Johnson.
April 21, 2008
Lakeshore Adds Cougar Exhibit to Visitor Center
Do you really think you saw a cougar? Now you can compare what you saw to a real one. The National Park Service (NPS) has added a cougar mount to the exhibits at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s Visitor Center in Empire. The public is invited to stop in and view this majestic animal, often reported within the Lakeshore and surrounding area. The mount is on temporary loan from Michigan State University Museum in East Lansing, MI.
April 17, 2008
2008 Junior Ranger Day at the Dunes
On Saturday, April 26, children of all ages are invited to become Junior Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Special activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and are planned throughout the day, with a badge and swearing in ceremony at 3:00 p.m. To earn a Junior Ranger badge, young prospects will just need to go on one ranger-led program (morning or afternoon) and complete a few activities in the Junior Ranger booklet that will be available at the Visitor Center in Empire all day. The Junior Ranger booklet is now available free of charge. Adults must accompany children at all times.
April 17, 2008
2008 National Park Week - Local Celebrations Planned
While people across the country are celebrating National Park Week, April 19 through April 27, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore staff is encouraging the public to join them right here in your own back yard for a free “Brown Bag Bonanza” luncheon series. The “Brown Bag Bonanzas” will take place each weekday (except Wednesday) from noon until 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center in Empire, and will feature various park employees telling stories, showing slides, and sharing photos from the different National Park sites at which they have worked.
April 14, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Announces Release of Draft General Management Plan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that the Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement (Draft GMP/WS/EIS) is available for public review.
April 01, 2008
April "Saturdays at the Lakeshore" Hikes Announced
Who doesn’t want to get outside and go for a hike now that spring is in the air? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s popular Saturday afternoon ranger-guided hikes give you a variety of topics and reasons to get outside for an afternoon in April. All programs will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center at Empire. Hikes are offered every Saturday in April, May and June and then, daily in July and August. Saturday afternoon hikes resume again in September and October. Schools and other groups are welcome to request walks and tours with National Park Rangers throughout the year.
March 05, 2008
Saturday Snowshoe Hikes to Continue into March!
The popular Saturday afternoon snowshoe hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will continue into March as long as snow conditions permit. March often provides some of the best snowshoeing conditions of the winter and this appears to be one of those years. Meet at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire at 1:00 p.m. each Saturday. If you don’t have your own, snowshoes will be provided free. Later in the month, when there is not enough snow, rangers will offer guided nature hikes to explore the changing of the seasons.
February 22, 2008
Junior Ranger Essay Contest Announced
The National Park Service is inviting children from 9 to 12 years old throughout the country to write an essay about their environment and national parks. The winner of this year’s 2008 Junior Ranger essay contest will receive an all expense paid family vacation to one of the country’s most remarkable national parks and a starring role in an electronic field trip seen by millions of school children across the country!
December 13, 2007
Saturday Snowshoe Hikes Resume at the Dunes!
Now that the snow has arrived, join a National Park Ranger on snowshoes and explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in all its winter splendor! Snowshoe walks are offered every Saturday beginning December 29, and continuing through the end of February. Meet at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire at 1:00 p.m. If you don’t have your own, snowshoes will be provided free of charge. If there is not enough snow, rangers will still offer a guided winter hike.
December 10, 2007
Lakeshore Visitor Center to Close on Holidays
Dusty Shultz, Superintendent of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announced that the Visitor Center in Empire will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24 and 25, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and on Tuesday, January 1, New Year’s Day.
December 04, 2007
"Holiday in the National Parks" Celebrated at the White House. Sleeping Bear Dunes Ornament Displayed on the Official White House Christmas Tree.
A Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore ornament is prominently displayed on this year’s official White House Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. The tree is the centerpiece of elaborate decorations celebrating the theme of “Holiday in the National Parks.”
November 16, 2007
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Begins Plan to Restore Disturbed Lands
The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing detailed action plans for restoring non-historic lands throughout Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Lakeshore) to their natural state. To make certain that the impacts of restoring these lands are thoroughly evaluated, a Disturbed Lands Restoration Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared.
November 15, 2007
Solicitation for Concession Contract to Provide Tour Boat and Ferry Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
The National Park Service has issued a concession prospectus for tour boat and ferry service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This business opportunity is a summer operation of tour boat and ferry service from Leland, Michigan to North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island.
November 08, 2007
Glen Haven Historic District Design Work to Begin
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has contracted with the Architectural/Engineering Firm JJR from Ann Arbor, Michigan to develop contract documents for the next phase of the Glen Haven Historic District Development Concept Plan. The design will focus on visitor use facilities including, sidewalks, boardwalks, viewing platforms, parking, and drinking water/foot wash stations.
October 31, 2007
Free Access for Veterans and Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on Veterans Day
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce that all U.S. military veterans and current members of the U.S. armed forces and their families are invited to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore free-of-charge on Veterans Day, November 11, 2007.
October 23, 2007
National Lakeshore Presents Second Artist-in-Residence Program
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to introduce the second Artist-in-Residence (AIR) of 2007 at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Margaret Huddy, a watercolor artist from Alexandria, VA, is living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing herself into the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. She will also present a public program highlighting her work on Friday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m.
September 24, 2007
Fee Free Day at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Saturday, September 29, 2007 is National Public Lands Day (NPLD) across the country: a day where fees are waived and volunteers participate in special events which beckon “Lend a hand, it’s your land.”
September 20, 2007
Road Work on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Expect Delays
On Monday, September 24, contractors will begin installing approximately 900’ of median curb near the entrance station of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
September 17, 2007
Port Oneida Rural Historic District Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announces the availability of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District Environmental Assessment beginning on September 17, 2007. The environmental assessment (EA) describes and analyzes alternative locations for a visitor contact station and employee housing, and alternative means of improving visitor access, and interpretation of Port Oneida resources. In all alternatives rehabilitation and stabilization of historic structures, and stabilization of cultural landscapes occur at Port Oneida.
September 17, 2007
Fall Fun at the National Lakeshore
Where else can you visit a beaver pond, hike through the dunes, meet an artist in residence, re-create a historic beach patrol looking for shipwrecks or make a difference on National Public Lands Day? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the place to do all that and more. Fall is an excellent time to visit the National Park Service’s (NPS) jewel of the Midwest and park rangers are ready to help you discover a side of the park that you might not know already.
August 31, 2007
National Lakeshore Improves Beach Access
In cooperation with the Leelanau County Road Commission, the National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will begin to make improvements to beach access and parking at the ends of Leelanau County Roads 651 and 669 later this fall.
August 24, 2007
Two Centennial Projects Eligible for Matching Funds
Two projects, one to re-light the lighthouse on South Manitou Island, and another to eradicate Baby’s Breath at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore may soon become a reality. The projects are part of a National Park Service (NPS) initiative designed to prepare the NPS for its centennial anniversary in 2016.
August 24, 2007
Lakeshore Volunteer - Best in the Midwest
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz presented park volunteer Kerry Kelly of Traverse City the National Park Service Midwest Region’s George B. Hartzog, Jr. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service during an appreciation dinner held at the Empire Township Hall on August 21.
August 17, 2007
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Implements Emergency Fire Ban
An emergency fire ban has been implemented within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as of August 17, 2007. In accordance with Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5, the Superintendent has closed all areas of the Lakeshore except the D.H. Day and Platte River Campgrounds and designated picnic grills to smoking and the use of open fires. The ban includes all beaches and backcountry camping sites within the Lakeshore boundary.
August 16, 2007
Riverbank Restoration Begins Soon at Platte River
This summer, the National Park Service will begin the final phase of restoration work at the former Water Wheel and Casey’s Canoe Livery sites located east of M-22 on the Platte River within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The project will restore a 450-foot section of the Platte River to its natural function and appearance, and will also mitigate safety concerns caused by failing retaining walls and exposed steel sheet piling.
August 14, 2007
Animation Students Debut Sleeping Bear Dunes Film Project at Visitor Center
Students from The Art Place (TAP), a non-profit animation studio in Suttons Bay, will debut the film project they created about Sleeping Bear Dunes at the Visitor Center here on Tuesday, August 21, at 4:00 p.m. The film’s unique title, “wwwww.sbdnl.tap”, is not a website address, but was derived by the TAP students after they spent a week at the Lakeshore learning the “Who, What, When, Where, and Whys” of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s dune ecology and history.
August 08, 2007
Port Oneida Fair August 10 and 11
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce the 2007 Port Oneida Fair to be held August 10 and 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
July 24, 2007
Book Signing & Reading with Author Martha F. Mothershead and Illustrator Janet Clarkson
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host a book signing and reading with author Martha F. Mothershead and her mother, Illustrator Janet Clarkson, for their children’s book Petoskey Stone Soup. The event will be held at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on Saturday, July 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The reading will begin at 12:00 noon in the Visitor Center Auditorium.
July 06, 2007
Pipe Safes at Beaches More Convenient for National Lakeshore Visitors
Assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich is pleased to announce that effective Wednesday, July 4, 2007, visitors to Esch Beach and Peterson Beach, located within the boundaries of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, will be able to purchase a park entrance pass through a self-registration system at each location.
June 29, 2007
Rangers Announce Summer Programs
Would you like to know more about the shipwrecks, coyotes, birds, trails, stars or the history of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore? National Park Service Rangers are offering a variety of interpretive programs throughout the Lakeshore this summer and they invite everyone to join them. Every day, visitors to the National Lakeshore will have several options.
June 27, 2007
Book Signing with Author Anna Egan Smucker
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host a book signing with Anna Egan Smucker, author of the children’s book To Keep the South Manitou Light at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on Thursday, July 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
June 22, 2007
Platte Riverbank Restoration Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announces the availability of the Water Wheel and Casey’s Canoe Livery Restoration Environmental Assessment beginning on June 23, 2007.
May 29, 2007
Ranger-Led Hikes Scheduled for June
National Park Service (NPS) Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announce a bonus for June’s “Saturdays at the Lakeshore.” This month there are five Saturdays and we have invited some special guests to lead some of the programs. Every Saturday at 1:00 p.m., meet a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 for an introduction to that day’s topic. Then, everyone drives a short distance to where the adventure begins. Each week, a different topic and location will be featured.
May 18, 2007
Volunteers Make Great American Cleanup a Success at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Every year volunteers across the nation join together for the Great American Cleanup/Keep America Beautiful Campaign, collecting millions of pounds of litter and debris, planting trees and flowers, and cleaning thousands of miles of rivers and lakeshores. The campaign kicked off on Earth Day, April 24th and is scheduled to last through May 31, 2007. “At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, volunteers and corporate sponsors are doing their part to keep America beautiful and make this year’s campaign a total success,” said Dusty Shultz, Lakeshore Superintendent.
May 01, 2007
Removal of Invasive Black Locust Trees at Sleeping Bear Dunes, a Win-Win Proposition
For years Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has been struggling to stop the spread of non-native black locust trees which threaten native plant communities and cultural landscapes by aggressively replacing beech and maple hardwood forests and sprouting in historic farm fields. That is until now. The Delta Conservation District in Gladstone, Michigan needs black locust logs to shore up the banks of the Ford River to preserve an historic grave site where some Native American and early settler’s graves have been lost to erosion. “This project is a delightful collaboration between several agencies and partner groups,” said Dusty Shultz, Lakeshore Superintendent. “It not only preserves the resources of the Lakeshore, it also keeps an historic graveyard from being lost.”
April 30, 2007
May "Saturdays at the Lakeshore"
Would you like to visit a beaver pond, smell spring wildflowers, search for morels, or identify migrating birds? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the place to do all that and more. Spring is an excellent time to hike and park rangers are looking forward to sharing some of their favorite places in the National Lakeshore with you during May “Saturdays at the Lakeshore.”
April 30, 2007
Antique Apple Tree Pruning Workshop
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be hosting a pruning workshop on May 4th in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The workshop will be held at the Miller Farmstead orchard located off Port Oneida Road on Miller Road from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Participants should meet at the Port Oneida Schoolhouse on Port Oneida Road 4 miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22 at 1:00 p.m. for an orientation and introduction, then the entire group will proceed to the orchard.
April 19, 2007
GMP/WS Public Meetings Scheduled for Early May in Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties
Superintendent Dusty Shultz has invited all interested parties to attend any of three identical public meetings on May 1, 2, and 3, 2007, to discuss the information presented in General Management Plan/Wilderness Study Newsletter #4, and help National Park Service planners develop a Preferred Alternative for future management of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
April 16, 2007
Junior Ranger Day at the Dunes
On Saturday, April 28, children of all ages are invited to become Junior Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Special activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and are planned throughout the day, with a badge and swearing in ceremony at 3:00 p.m. To earn a Junior Ranger badge, young prospects will have to go on one ranger-led program (morning or afternoon) and complete a few activities in the FREE Junior Ranger booklet that will be available at the Visitor Center (VC) in Empire all day. Adults must accompany children at all times.
April 12, 2007
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Opening Postponed
Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that the popular Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive located just off M-109 in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will not be opening Saturday, April 14 as originally scheduled. The usual mid-April opening has been postponed one week, until April 21 due to current weather conditions.
April 10, 2007
Local Celebrations Planned During National Park Week
While people across the country are celebrating National Park Week, April 23 through April 28, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore staff is encouraging the public to join them right here in your own back yard for a free “Brown Bag Bonanza” luncheon series. The “Brown Bag Bonanzas” will take place Monday through Friday from noon until 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center, and will feature various park employees telling stories and sharing photos from the different National Park sites at which they have worked. Festivities will culminate on Saturday, with a special Junior Ranger Day, where children of all ages are invited to learn about and explore the Lakeshore, earn a badge and take the Junior Ranger oath!
April 04, 2007
Saturdays at the Lakeshore - April Hikes Announced
Who doesn’t want to get outside and go for a hike now that spring is in the air? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s popular Saturday afternoon ranger-guided hikes give you a variety of topics and reasons to get outside this month. All programs will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center in Empire.
March 27, 2007
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Announces Release of Latest Planning Information
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that Newsletter #4 containing the latest information on the new General Management Plan/Wilderness Study (GMP/WS) is being mailed this week to 2,400 interested parties.
March 21, 2007
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Launches New Web Forum
Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that a new web forum has been launched for the public to participate in on-line discussions regarding the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s new General Management Plan/Wilderness Study (GMP/WS).
March 05, 2007
Rangers Look for Signs of Spring!
The popular “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” continue in March with National Park Rangers leading guided hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This month’s hikes will focus on the change in seasons as the natural world breaks out of winter’s grip. Hikers will seek out the first signs of spring, observe what happened under the snow, search for shipwrecks cast up by winter storms, and witness history’s impact on our forest communities.
February 09, 2007
President's Fiscal Year 2008 NPS Budget Proposal to Impact Park Operations at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore would see a significant increase (19.5%) in operational funding as a result of the President’s $2.4 billion National Park Service budget for Fiscal Year 2008. The budget proposal calls for the largest ever increase in park operations funding and leverages public-private investments that could generate as much as $3 billion to help the parks prepare for their 100th birthday in 2016.
February 05, 2007
Hit the Dunes on Snowshoes!
Now that the snow has arrived, join a National Park Ranger on snowshoes and explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in all its winter splendor! Snowshoe walks are offered every Saturday during February. Meet at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire at 1:00 p.m. If you don’t have your own, snowshoes will be provided free. (If there is no snow, rangers will still offer a guided winter hike.)
January 26, 2007
Friends Group Donates New Defibrillator to the Lakeshore
Thanks to another generous donation from the Friends of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the National Lakeshore was able to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) for use at the Platte River Campground. This much needed piece of medical equipment may enable National Park Service staff to save the lives of park visitors who experience medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest.
December 18, 2006
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Announces New Campground Reservation Contract
Superintendent Dusty Shultz has announced that effective February 7, 2007, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will offer camping reservations through a new system, the National Recreation Reservation Service, operated by ReserveAmerica.
December 18, 2006
New Interagency Pass Program for Federal Lands
A new interagency recreation pass that will allow visitors access to several types of national public lands will be offered for sale at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore beginning January 2, 2007. The new pass combines the benefits of existing recreation passes from five federal agencies – the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service - into one comprehensive pass, the “Interagency National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.”
December 12, 2006
Rangers Offer Free Snowshoe Hikes
Do you only go to the dunes in the summer? Make this the year to venture out there now! Winter is an excellent time to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, especially with a National Park Ranger on snowshoes! Holiday hikes will begin at the Visitor Center on Highway M-72 near the village of Empire at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, and Saturday, December 30, 2006. For the rest of the winter, snowshoe walks will be offered every Saturday in January and February, meeting at the same time and place. (If there is no snow, rangers will still offer a guided walk.)
December 12, 2006
Lakeshore Staff Works with Partners to Save Area History
Although funding for historic and cultural resource projects in National Parks is getting harder to come by, Lakeshore staff at Sleeping Bear Dunes has found ways to stretch those dollars by working closely with partner organizations to leverage available funds with the energy and enthusiasm of volunteers. Together, they are successfully overcoming funding shortfalls and are saving the area’s cultural history brick by brick, field by field.
November 16, 2006
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Announces Planning for Improvements to the Lake Michigan Overlooks on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that the National Park Service has begun planning for improvements to the Lake Michigan Overlooks 9 and 10 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
November 02, 2006
Photo Contest Announced
National Park Service rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are reminding all Americans that they can help protect our nation’s public lands by snapping photos highlighting their extraordinary grandeur. Some lucky person will have their image of a favorite national park, forest, trail, lake or wildlife refuge displayed on a pass used by millions!
October 30, 2006
Funding for Local Fire Departments
The National Park Service (NPS) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, recently provided funding to two local volunteer fire departments through the Rural Fire Assistance program. The Empire and Solon-Centerville Township Fire and Rescue Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD) both received funding through this program. The Empire VFD received $6,921 to purchase firefighter gear, hoses, radios and training. The Solon-Centerville VFD received $1,755 to purchase training and radios.
October 26, 2006
Waterwheel Environmental Assessment
The National Park Service (NPS) has begun the process of planning a restoration project and associated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the former Waterwheel and Casey’s Corner canoe livery sites, located along the Platte River, in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The sites are located upstream of the intersection of the Platte River and highway M-22, along both banks, for a distance of approximately 300 feet.
October 24, 2006
National Lakeshore Presents Second Artist in Residence Program
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to introduce the second Artist-in-Residence (AIR) of 2006 at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Mary Brodbeck of Kalamazoo, Michigan is living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing herself into the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and into the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. She will also present a public program highlighting her work on Friday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m.
October 20, 2006
Lakeshore Receives Award of Merit for Restoration / Preservation
The Historical Society of Michigan recently awarded Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore a State History Award for Outstanding Restoration and Preservation of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. Superintendent Dusty Shultz was presented the award at the Historical Society’s State History Conference held in Bay City on September 22, 2006. One of only two awards presented this year in the category of restoration and preservation, the award recognized the park’s effort in placing the district on the National Register of Historic Places, and initiating a community partnership program that is helping to preserve and restore the historic resources of Port Oneida.
October 19, 2006
Bird Die-Off Update
Biologists at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore were recently informed by lab specialists at the Michigan Department of Natural Resource Wildlife Disease Laboratory that Type E Botulism remains the culprit in the deaths of an assortment of bird species along the Lake Michigan shoreline. According to Lakeshore Biologist Ken Hyde, the outbreak began this summer and continues to primarily impact fish-eating birds. Hyde reported that “We have recently observed a significant die-off of Horned Grebes, Mergansers, and Common Loons in addition to the more commonly seen Cormorants and Gulls. Estimates of the total number of birds lost to Type E Botulism since August, just along the beaches of the Lakeshore, are approaching 2,600 birds.”
October 12, 2006
General Management Plan/Wilderness Study Update
Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today that Newsletter #3 containing the latest General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/WS/EIS) information is being mailed this week to over 2,400 interested parties.
“We have moved into an exciting phase of the planning process—developing and describing alternative management concepts for the future of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,” said Shultz. “In Newsletter #3 you will find that we have taken the public’s comments and used them to develop the draft management zones and management concepts for the National Lakeshore.”
October 04, 2006
Historic Beach Patrols
What was it like to work for the U.S. Life-Saving Service (LSS) during the fall, which was traditionally known as “shipwreck season” on the Great Lakes? One hundred years ago, LSS surfmen set out each night to hike the shoreline in search of ships in distress. This fall, the public is invited to relive history and join National Park Service (NPS) rangers and Volunteers-in-Park (VIPs) to recreate a traditional evening beach patrol. There will be only two chances to participate in this special event; meet at the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station/Maritime Museum in Glen Haven at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 or 21, 2006.
October 04, 2006
Saturdays in the Park for October, 2006
National Park Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are pleased to announce a collection of different hikes to entice you to join them this month. Adventure-filled Saturday afternoons will have you measuring a champion tree, designing a seed, visiting a steamship town or getting ready for Halloween by visiting Devil’s Hole. There is no better time to get out and enjoy the Lakeshore than October. The cool, fall air is invigorating. The hills are splashed with a palate of color. And the sun streaming through a cloudy sky is a spotlight on a distant lighthouse.
September 26, 2006
Take Pride in Sleeping Bear Dunes
Saturday, September 30, 2006 is National Public Lands Day across the country and volunteers are participating in Take Pride in America® special events which beckon “Lend a hand, it’s your land.” At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, it is a fee-free day for everyone to enjoy the park as well. As a token of our appreciation, volunteers will receive a coupon to use for free entrance to any public lands at a later date. Park rangers will host two activities: a beach cleanup in the morning and an introduction to the Adopt-a-Beach program in the afternoon, where individuals or groups do more than just clean up a particular beach; they also record data, assess wildlife habitat and test the water. Both activities meet first at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire on Highway 72 and then proceed to a designated beach.
September 24, 2006
2006 Artist In Residence Award
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is pleased to introduce two Artists-in-Residence (AIR) this month. Tricia Warner of Holt, Michigan and her sister, Anita Skehen of Kansas City, Missouri are living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing themselves into the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and into the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. They will also present a public program highlighting their crafts on Friday, September 29, 2006.
September 10, 2006
Ferry Concession Contract Solicitation
The National Park Service has issued a Concession Prospectus for the Tour Boat and Ferry Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This business opportunity is a summer operation of tour boat and ferry service from Leland, Michigan to North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island. The Concessioner may provide motorized vehicle tours on South Manitou Island, sales of limited snacks and beverages, and transportation of kayaks and canoes. The operating season is mid-May through mid-November. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located on the northwestern shore of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan’s west border along Lake Michigan, approximately 23 miles west of Traverse City, Michigan.
August 24, 2006
Trumpeter Swans Released
In partnership with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has announced that eight young trumpeter swans were released in the park during the summer of 2006. The eight were released together into one of the wetland areas within the Lakeshore and it is hoped that they will finish maturing and imprint on the area before migrating south for the winter. If the release is successful, it is possible that in the near future the swans will return with mates to begin rearing families within the Lakeshore.
August 21, 2006
September Saturdays at the Lakeshore
Not only are there five Saturdays this September, but one of them is a fee-free day for all National Park sites! Five new programs will be featured this month on topics ranging from trees to grasses and coyotes to insects, walks through the dunes, and even a special guest lecturer. September 30, 2006 is National Public Lands Day (NPLD) when across the nation, thousands of volunteers “Take Pride in America” and do their part to clean up parks, build trails, plant trees, etc. in national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. At Sleeping Bear Dunes that day, all are invited to participate in a beach cleanup in conjunction with the Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt-a-Beach Program. That day, entrance to all public lands is free and anyone volunteering will receive a free pass to use on another day in the future.
August 04, 2006
North Manitou Island Deer Hunt 2006
Permits are now available for the North Manitou Island special deer hunt within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The season begins with the bow hunt on October 1 and ends after the final firearm hunt on November 5.
August 01, 2006
North Bar Lake Fee Collection 2006
As of July 7, 2006, visitors to North Bar Lake, located within the boundaries of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near Empire, will be able to purchase park passes through a self-registration system there.
August 01, 2006
Ranger Programs for August 2006
Download a pdf file listing the Ranger-led programs for August and early September, 2006.
July 28, 2006
Workshop for Educators 2006
The National Park Service (NPS) Great Lakes Research and Education Center is partnering with the Alliance for the Great Lakes (AGL) and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to present a free workshop in Empire on Saturday, August 12, 2006, for teachers of grades K-12 and educators in parks, nature centers and museums. The workshop will provide a look at the Great Lakes through current research in national parks of the region and with hands-on activities to use in the classroom.
July 28, 2006
August Activities for 2006
Park Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore have published a fun-filled line up of interpretive programs for the month of August. Beach walks, star gazing, evening programs, geology talks, and shipwreck rescues are just some of the opportunities awaiting your participation at this national park.
July 21, 2006
Clarifying Wilderness
Wilderness is "intended specifically for recreational use by people who want to enjoy a primitive, ‘get-away-from-it-all’ experience." The Wilderness Act of 1964 does state that wilderness "shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people" and "shall be devoted to the public for purposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation and historic use".
May 22, 2006
General Management Plan Meetings
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz has announced the next phase of public input into the General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement process.
May 04, 2006
No Pets in Plover Nesting Areas 2006
Piping Plovers have returned to their breeding grounds on the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The birds are courting and establishing territories in preparation for nesting. Piping Plovers continue to be listed as an endangered species under the Federal Government and Michigan Endangered Species Acts. Effective April 28, and until further notice later in the season, no pets will be permitted on those segments of beaches where Piping Plovers have established territories or nests. Dogs disturb birds while they are trying to establish nests, and threaten successful chick rearing.
February 10, 2006
No Evidence of Cougars 2006
The presence of cougars (Puma concolor) in Michigan has been debated for decades. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists the eastern cougar subspecies as endangered and presumed extinct in the wild. From November 2004 through April 2005, the National Park Service (NPS) conducted a study throughout the mainland portion of the Lakeshore, with a goal of collecting evidence of cougar presence. After six months of intensive study, staff at the Lakeshore did not find any physical evidence to support the reported presence of cougars in the park.
February 07, 2006
Open Houses for National Lakeshore Planning
The public is invited to drop in at any of three open houses designed to provide information and collect comments about the General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/WS/EIS) that the National Park Service (NPS) is initiating for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
November 17, 2005
Camping Fee Changes for 2006
Superintendent Dusty Shultz has announced that effective January 1, 2006, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will increase fees for those limited number of campsites in the park that are available through the national reservation system. Fees for first come, first served sites (non-reserved) remain the same.
