PSAR Highlighted by NPR
Listen to the episode here:
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/890/maximal-americanness
We have some incredibly exciting news to share with our Sleeping Bear Dunes community!
Our Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) program was recently highlighted nationally on NPR and the iconic storytelling show, This American Life! The episode, titled "Maximal Americanness," takes listeners right onto the dunes to see our dedicated volunteers in action.
Overcoming the Dunes: The Power of PSAR
If you've ever stood at the top of the Lake Michigan Overlook on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, you know exactly how breathtaking—and deceptively grueling—that 450-foot sandy drop to the water can be. It looks like a fun slide down, but the climb back up? That is a whole different story.
That is where our amazing PSAR volunteers come in. Stationed at the top of the overlook, they act as the ultimate safety net for visitors—offering friendly warnings, checking for hydration, and explaining just how difficult the climb back up truly is.
The This American Life team captured the unique blend of humor, exhaustion, grit, and relief that happens at the overlook every single summer. It perfectly showcases how our volunteers save lives, prevent costly rescue operations, and keep the Lakeshore a safe place for everyone to enjoy.
A massive thank you to our PSAR team for everything you do to keep Sleeping Bear Dunes safe, beautiful, and welcoming. You are the true rockstars of the dunes!
Support Our Dunes: Help Keep This Vital Program Running
Our PSAR program—and the incredible safety net it provides—runs entirely on volunteer power and community support. It takes resources to keep our volunteers trained, equipped with safety gear, and stocked with emergency water to assist struggling hikers.
If you love Sleeping Bear Dunes and want to help us keep visitors safe all season long, please consider making a donation today. Every dollar helps us support essential programs like PSAR!