July 02, 2009
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Detects New Bird Die-OffBiologists at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are closely monitoring what appears to be a new botulism-related bird die-off along the park shoreline. Although the cause of the die-off has yet to be confirmed, all indications point toward a botulism Type E outbreak as the likely culprit.
June 24, 2009
Bicycle 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). 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 19, 2009
Park Rangers Announce Summer Programs
Would you like to know more about shipwrecks, beavers, native plants, or early farm life? Would you like to go on a bike tour, guided hike, or learn the latest information on stargazing and the night sky? National Park Service Park Rangers are offering a variety of interpretive programs throughout Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore this summer and they invite everyone to join them. Every day, visitors to the National Lakeshore will have several options.
June 11, 2009
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Announces Fee-Free Weekends
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce that the National Park Service will be offering three fee-free weekends this summer so visitors to all national park sites, including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, can enjoy these special places for free.
May 29, 2009
National Trails Day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
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.
May 29, 2009
Enjoy "Saturdays at the Lakeshore" in June
Are you ready to be outdoors, hike a trail, step back in history or stroll a Lake Michigan beach? Then join National Park Service Park Rangers for “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” in June to explore the secret wonders of nature and history preserved at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
May 28, 2009
Lake Michigan Overlooks Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz announced today the availability of the Lake Michigan Overlooks Environmental Assessment beginning on June 1, 2009. The Environmental Assessment (EA) describes and analyzes alternative approaches for addressing visitor safety, resource damage, and maintenance issues while continuing to offer the spectacular views at this popular site on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.
May 22, 2009
Relighting the Historic South Manitou Island Lighthouse
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, the National Park Service (NPS) will host a ceremony to celebrate the relighting of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse. History will be made when the great-grandson of lighthouse keeper Aaron Sheridan, who first lit the lamp in the present tower in 1872, flips the switch of the new solar-powered light. Festivities for the public will take place on the beach at the Maritime Museum in Glen Haven starting at 9:00 p.m.
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.
