“Oh my gosh!”

That’s what a woman exclaimed to herself as she caught her first glimpse of the Bar Lake Overlook on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. It’s one of the lesser-known overlooks, offering a stunning view of North Bar Lake and Lake Michigan.

If you’ve been there, you know that feeling. It’s the same sense of awe you get from the vastness of Lake Michigan, the grandeur of giant trees in an old-growth forest, or the peaceful flow of its rivers. This place is extraordinary. It stirs something deep within us: a sense of hope, beauty, calm, and possibility.

Right now, holding on to what feels "possible" is more important than ever. Everywhere we turn, headlines speak of climate challenges, shrinking budgets for public lands, and communities stretched thin. It can feel overwhelming—like it’s impossible for things to get better.

But there are bright spots on the horizon. Here at Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, we see possibilities every day, and we invite you to be part of creating them.

The National Park Service does incredible work, but the truth is, federal resources alone can’t meet the growing needs of the Lakeshore. From climate challenges and rising visitor numbers to fragile habitats, stewardship and philanthropic support are essential to protecting this extraordinary place for future generations.

By supporting the Friends, you help turn challenges into possibilities. Your support allows us to respond quickly, fund innovation, protect wildlife, and create experiences that public resources alone cannot provide.

Here’s a glimpse of what our community of supporters made possible this year:

Safety: Our Preventive Search and Rescue volunteers guided over 32,000 visitors at the Dune Climb and scenic overlooks this summer. This program has helped emergency calls drop dramatically, from 56 in a single summer down to just 8.
Accessibility: More than 60 individuals with mobility challenges explored trails they could not otherwise reach through our Bear Tracks Accessibility Program. This included children as young as 8, visitors in their 90s, and families getting to share one last hike together.
Education: This school year, Friends’ funding helped connect 5,500 students to the park through field trips and distance learning, including snowshoe outings and in-class Native sky stories in an inflatable planetarium.
Wildlife Protection: Donor gifts helped safeguard endangered Piping Plovers, supporting 34 nesting pairs and 157 eggs laid this year. Support also launched a groundbreaking black bear study to guide conservation for decades.
Stewardship: Over 400 volunteers contributed more than 13,000 hours caring for trails, rivers, and beaches, equipping them to keep this landscape safe and beautiful.

Every one of these accomplishments began as a challenge that might have seemed impossible. And yet, through the generosity of supporters, they became possible.

As the Park Superintendent often says, “We are in the forever business”. But forever isn’t guaranteed—it’s created by people who care.

In a world where so much feels uncertain, your support ensures that this place endures—wild, beautiful, and welcoming for everyone. Will you join us in saving forever?

Thank you for believing in what’s possible. With your help, we will continue to protect Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, for today, for tomorrow, and forever.

Help Create the Possible! Donate today

To get involved and make a gift, visit https://www.friendsofsleepingbear.org/25-soc-donation

With gratitude,

Laura Ann Johnson, Executive Director
Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes