Supported the park through programming including Anishinaabe Educational Programs, educational programs for 4 th and 5 th graders, and supporting star parties and working toward Dark Sky certification.
Supported Piping Plover Protection by procuring supplies and securing grant funding to hire seasonal Natural Resource staff.
Completed building a new garage at the Dune Center to store the Bear Force One mobile visitor center van park and equipment, track chair trailer, and tools for maintaining the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
The Track Chair program provided 60 hikes and an additional trail experience using our newest track chair.
A record amount of volunteers helped the Adopt-a-Beach and Adopt-a-Trail programs
Provided $262,580
in support of Park Priority projects and trainings, educational programming, trail surveys, and purchasing new equipment to help maintain the Park.
and volunteers completed over
11,425 HOURS
supporting the Park, including welcoming 316 new Volunteers
Today's spotlight is on our accessibility volunteers! These dedicated volunteers help to make the Park accessible to all. Not only does the team manage the Track Chair program, chair maintenance and the scheduling of the use of the chairs, volunteers accompany each group using the chairs to ensure proper usage and safety. This year's track chair program starts May 25th and reservation open April 22nd here: friendsofsleepingbear.org/track-chair-reservation/Through generous donors, the Friends are adding to the accessibility program with the purchase of a Van Raam Opair wheelchair bicycle, which will allow everyone to enjoy the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The Friends are currently developing this program and anxiously awaiting the bike's arrival later this year!With the popularity of the track chairs and the addition of the bicycle program, the accessibility team is seeking additional volunteers. If you'd like to learn more and help out, visit friendsofsleepingbear.org/programs/accessibility/track-chair-program/. ... See MoreSee Less
The next volunteer opportunity we're highlighting this week is our Adopt-A-Highway program! The Friends “adopted” the portion of M-109 from Glen Haven to just south of the Dune Climb, a stretch of road that is used by about 1.8 million people annually who visit the Lakeshore. Our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers maintain this two mile section of the road, creating pristine roadsides that make a good impression on visitors and demonstrate the community's commitment to the park. In fact, last Saturday, more than a dozen volunteers cleaned the road as well as all three area parking lots and an additional 2.5 miles of connecting roads! There are two more Saturday clean-ups scheduled this year - July 13th, during the park's busiest time, and September 21st to end the season. Both start at 10 a.m. at the yellow Ranger Station in Glen Haven. Want to join the team? Learn more at friendsofsleepingbear.org/programs/adopt-a-highway/. ... See MoreSee Less
As we edge closer to summer, the Friends is looking for volunteers to help with projects and programs throughout Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This week, we'll highlight some of the volunteer opportunities we have, starting with Preventative Search & Rescue (PSAR). Do you like interacting with park visitors? Are you a fan of the Dune Climb and Lake Michigan Overlook at Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive? If so, PSAR may be a great role for you! As a PSAR volunteer, you'll educate visitors on trail and water conditions, hiking safety and keep an eye out for visitors in need of assistance. PSAR volunteers are not tasked with search and rescue work; they educate visitors about safety issues they may face at these locations, helping to reduce the need for park and local first responders to be called to render aid.Visit friendsofsleepingbear.org/programs/preventative-search-and-rescue-psar/ to learn more. Don't forget to join us for our annual Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes Volunteer Training starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18th at the Empire Town Hall! ... See MoreSee Less
Save the Dates! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has several upcoming events and activities you'll want to mark your calendars for. 🟢 May 3 Pruning Workshop at Kelderhouse from 10 a.m.-noon & Lawr Farm from 1-3 p.m.🟢 May 18: Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes Spring Volunteer Training at Empire Town Hall starting at 1 p.m.🟢 June 10-14: Barn Workshop at Kropp Farm (just north of Townline Rd.) Contact Kim Mann at kimberly_mann@nps.gov for details.🟢 June 26: Coffee with the Superintendent at Skyline Drive: maps.app.goo.gl/yZtRJPJitZ2A3R1F9🟢 July 4: Lyle gun demonstration on July 4 and every Thursday in July & Aug. at 1:30pm (except 8/8)🟢 Aug. 9-10: Port Oneida Fair. Volunteers are needed so contact Casey Kilian at casey_kilian@nps.gov to help. ... See MoreSee Less