50th Anniversary Pledge

 

Looking for a way to join the celebration and be a friend to Sleeping Bear Dunes? Take the 50th anniversary pledge! All you have to do is record yourself reciting the pledge and post it on social media using the hashtags #SleepingBear50 and #SleepingBearPledge. Watch our rangers and superintendent show you how it's done!

Why take a pledge? Because the Lakeshore needs your help! And taking the pledge can help you learn to make choices that will benefit Sleeping Bear Dunes and positively affect the park’s overall well being. Help Sleeping Bear Dunes become a better place for all by doing the following:

1. read the pledge thinking about what each action means and how you can incorporate them into your visit;

2. have fun - share a photo or video of yourself taking the pledge on social media using #SleepingBear50 and #SleepingBearPledge; and

3. teach others - discuss with your friends and family what actions they might take while visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes and other public lands.

Park Rangers will continue to repost their favorite Sleeping Bear Dunes Pledge posts to the park’s social media pages in 2021 as we continue our 50th Anniversary celebration.

Here are some examples of what it means to take the Pledge:

• Practice Leave No Trace (LNT): Stay on trails to protect the fragile dune vegetation, pack out what you pack in.
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/getinvolved/supportyourpark/leavenotrace.htm

• Take care of your pets: Pets must be on a six foot leash in pet friendly areas of the Lakeshore. Do not leave your pet unattended in the car. Help protect the piping plovers by keeping dogs leashed and away from plover nesting sites.
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/pets.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/nature/pipingplover.htm

• Help protect wildlife: Give wildlife their space. Follow plover nesting beach closures. Store food inside your car or RV (out of sight, with windows completely closed) and within arms reach when eating.
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/nature/do-not-feed-the-bears.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/nature/pipingplover.htm

• Limit your impact on the environment: Use reusable water bottles. Recycle what you can.
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/nature/climate-change.htm

• Learn why this park is special: Attend a ranger-led program, partner program, or special event.
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
  http://www.phsb.org/programs-events/calendar/
  http://friendsofsleepingbear.org/events/

• Get involved: Sign up to be a volunteer, become a 50th anniversary Junior Ranger, follow us on social media and chime in on our discussion posts.
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/getinvolved/index.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/kidsyouth/be-a-junior-ranger2.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/photosmultimedia/social-networking-media.htm

• Find your park: Explore new areas of the Lakeshore with our Explore the Shore activity; use the park to support your health goals by signing up for the 50-mile Play Your Way Challenge.
  And more!
  https://www.nps.gov/articles/envisioning-your-2020-park-experience.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/index.htm
  https://www.nps.gov/subjects/healthandsafety/health-benefits-of-parks.htm