January 27, 2012
Chief of Natural Resources Steve Yancho retires
Steve Yancho, Chief of Natural Resources at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, retired on December 31, 2011 after 36 years with the National Park Service - nearly 34 of them at the Lakeshore.
January 18, 2012
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail Receives Transit-in-Parks Grant
The Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Committee, Michigan Department of Transportation, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) are proud to announce that a second Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant has been awarded to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT) in the amount of $1.337 million in construction funds from its Paul S. Sarbanes Transit-in-Parks program. The funds will be used to construct the SBHT segment through the National Lakeshore from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to Empire.
January 05, 2012
Entrance Fees Waived for Martin Luther King Jr Day Weekend
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the entrance fee to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) will be waived during the upcoming holiday weekend, beginning Saturday, January 14 and continuing through Monday, January 16.
December 13, 2011
Snowshoe Hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) on snowshoes this winter! Join park rangers for a guided snowshoe hike this holiday season and every Saturday throughout the winter.
December 07, 2011
Shipwrecks of Sleeping Bear Point Presentation
Please join Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. for a shipwreck program presented by diver/historian Ross Richardson. Discover the legends and history of Sleeping Bear Point and learn about the shipwrecks that lie under her waters. This program will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Meet in the visitor center auditorium in Empire.
October 07, 2011
EPA Announces Funding to Restore Northern Lake Michigan and Put People Back to Work
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects in Northern Michigan totaling $1.1 million. The projects will help to restore the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Grand Traverse Band watersheds and put people back to work, using a conservation corps model to hire unemployed workers to improve habitat and clean up shoreline.
October 07, 2011
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Confirms Type E Botulism in Recent Bird Die-offs and Expects More This Fall
Four gull carcasses collected from beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) have tested positive for type E botulism toxin (avian botulism).
October 03, 2011
Historic Beach Patrol Programs
Fall was traditionally “shipwreck season” on the Great Lakes. One hundred years ago, surfmen of the U.S. Life-Saving Service (LSS) set out each night to hike the shoreline in search of ships in distress. The public is invited to relive history and join park rangers to recreate a traditional evening beach patrol.
October 03, 2011
FUN Nature Exploration Hike for Families
Please join Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, for the Families United with Nature (FUN) event. This time, join park rangers for a FUN afternoon of exploring the outdoors and create your very own nature book!
October 03, 2011
South Manitou Island Boat Dock Extension Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced the availability of the South Manitou Island Boat Dock Extension Environmental Assessment for public review and comment.
September 27, 2011
National Park Service to Burn Debris Piles This Fall
The National Park Service will burn debris piles this fall at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. About 45 burn piles were produced as non-native Austrian pines were cut during an invasive tree removal and dune restoration project.
September 12, 2011
Emerald Ash Borers Kill National Lakeshore Ash Trees
In mid-June, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) staff identified an ash tree near Little Glen Lake infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
August 24, 2011
National Park Service Manages Small Fire on North Manitou Island
A lightning-caused fire was discovered on North Manitou Island by Park Rangers on backcountry patrol on Friday, August 19, 2011. The one-tenth acre fire was ignited by a lightning strike on the southwest side of Lake Manitou, most likely during a storm that passed through on August 16. The fire is smoldering in accumulated leaves and needles on the forest floor and is spreading very slowly at this time.
August 24, 2011
Families United with Nature Summer Olympics at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Join park rangers for another Families United with Nature (FUN) day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) and this time compete in the FUN Summer Olympics!
August 17, 2011
We always knew it! Sleeping Bear Dunes is the Most Beautiful Place in America
Good Morning America produced evidence this morning that proved to everyone what most people in northern Michigan already knew - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the most beautiful place in America! The ABC morning news program conducted a poll on their website last week asking people to vote for one of ten places nominated for the honor by their viewers. On Wednesday, they announced the winner - and it came as no surprise.
June 16, 2011
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Awarded America Best Idea Grant
Nineteen national parks receive grants from the National Park Foundation to support interactive and engaging projects that will strengthen Americans’ connection with their national parks.
May 27, 2011
Volunteers needed to monitor
Volunteers are being sought to assist with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s avian botulism beach monitoring program. An informational training program for prospective volunteers will be held from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) visitor center, 9922 Front Street, in Empire.
