May "Saturdays at the Lakeshore"

National Park Service Park Ranger describes the various ecosystems of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to a park visitor.  Photo courtesy of National Park Service.

Date: April 30, 2010
Contact: Lisa Myers, 231-326-5134

Would you like to visit a beaver pond, listen for frogs, smell spring wildflowers, 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 National Lakeshore with you during the next four Saturdays in May.

Every Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., a Park Ranger will await you at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 to introduce a topic and then lead a car caravan a short distance to where the walk will begin. Each week, a different topic and location in the park will be featured. All are welcome. Programs will be no more than a 1½ -mile round trip and will conclude by 3:00 p.m.

• May 8 - International Migratory Bird Day: Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day by joining a Park Ranger to welcome back several species of migratory birds. Learn about the birds’ winter adventures in far-off lands. This is a great opportunity for beginning birders. Binoculars provided.
  
  
• May 15 - The World of Frogs: What would spring be without the sound of frogs? Why are they singing, and why are they disappearing all around the world? What might they be trying to tell us? Learn to identify several local varieties by sight and sound. This is a great outdoor adventure for the whole family.
  
  
• May 22 - Leave it to the Beaver: No northwoods animal changes the environment more than the beaver. No animal has played a greater role in the history of the region. Take an easy hike to a beaver pond and see a lodge and dam that beavers have built. Perhaps you will get a glimpse of the beaver in action! Learn about these fascinating animals and witness their logging operations.
  
  
• May 29 - Bug Hunt: See all kinds of insects up close and personal at the Visitor Center, then walk with a Park Ranger to visit them in their habitat. Learn how to hunt, catch, and watch bugs with no harm to you…or the bugs.

All Park Ranger-led programs are free. Participants need only purchase the park entrance pass or have an annual pass to join in the fun. Reservations are not required, but are suggested if you wish to bring a group. Please call 231-326-5134, ext. 328, for details.