Date: May 29, 2009
Contact: Susan Sanders, 231-326-5134
Saturday, June 6, 2009, is National Trails Day—a day to get outside, take to the trails, breath the fresh air, listen to the birds, and savor the spectacular beauty that surrounds us. At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, National Trails Day is also the perfect time to thank our 30-plus Volunteers-in-Park (VIPs) who take care of more than 100 miles of trails in the National Lakeshore’s Adopt-a-Trail program.
Adopt-a-Trail volunteers hike, ski, or snowshoe their adopted trail at least once a month and help keep their trail clear by picking up trash, removing small obstructions, alerting park staff to major maintenance needs, erosion, or potential problems, and talk to park visitors they meet on the trails. In 2008, over 440 hours were donated by the Adopt-a-Trail VIPs. Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a non-profit partner, coordinate the Adopt-a-Trail program.
These hardworking volunteers help keep the National Lakeshore trails in great condition so the public can venture out on National Trails Day, or any day, to enjoy the natural wonder that is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 2009 Adopt-a-Trail VIPs are Eleanor Comings, William Gittlen, Sarah Campbell, Colin and Margaret Bohash, Joy and John Colizzi, John and Barbara Rothaar, David and Diane Taghon, Lois Veenstra, Judy Granger, Mike and Sarah Litch, Trina Ball, Roland Drayson, Ron Lovaz, Becky Thatcher, Jerry and June Powley, Pat and Sharon Oriel, Kerry Kelly, Tricia and Shawn Denton, Phillip and Susan Stinson, Christine Ambrecht, Tom and Alice Van Zoeren, Molly McCombs, and Bob Norris. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all of our dedicated volunteers!
If you would like to learn more about the Adopt-a-Trail program, visit the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes website at http://www.friendsofsleepingbear.org, or call Susan Sanders, VIP Coordinator, at 231-326-5134.
