October 15, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Presents Artist-in-Residence Program
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to introduce October’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Kathleen Heideman, a poet from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing herself in the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. She will present a free program for the public highlighting her work on Friday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. in Empire at the Lakeshore’s Visitor Center.
October 10, 2008
Entrance Fee Waived for Veterans and Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on Veterans Day
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to announce that all U.S. military veterans and current members of the U.S. armed forces and their families are invited to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore free-of-charge on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008.
September 29, 2008
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 October 1, 2008. This document describes and analyzes alternative locations for a non-motorized trailway along highways M-22 and M-109 in Leelanau County. The proposed trailway would begin at Manning Road on the Leelanau-Benzie County line and end at County Road 651 at the north end of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The trailway would be entirely on public lands in the National Lakeshore or on county road or state highway rights-of-way.
September 23, 2008
Port Oneida Rural Historic District Environmental Assessment Completed
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore announces the completion of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA includes plans for future historic preservation and use of some of the buildings and landscapes in Port Oneida, as well as development of some visitor access facilities.
September 19, 2008
Fee Free Day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Saturday, September 27, 2008 is National Public Lands Day (NPLD) across the country: a day where fees are waived and volunteers participate in special events called “Helping Hands for America’s Lands.” At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, waiver of the entrance fee means it will be free to access the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Glen Haven, Port Oneida, Platte Point, the Manitou Islands, and all the trails and beaches managed by the National Park Service.
September 15, 2008
Lakeshore Hosts Beach Cleanup for National Public Lands Day
If you love the sun, fun, and beauty of our area beaches, now you can show it! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is celebrating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, September 27, and inviting the public to help clean up the Lakeshore’s beaches. Bring your family, your class, your troop, your group, or just yourself, and join others in protecting our treasured coastline by collecting and tallying everything found along the beach: plastic bags, balloons, cigarettes, 6-pack holders—you name it!
September 15, 2008
National Lakeshore Presents Artist-in-Residence Program
Superintendent Dusty Shultz is pleased to introduce 2008’s September Artist-in-Residence (AIR) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Hanna Louise Poston, a poet from Asheville, North Carolina, is living in the Lakeshore for three weeks, immersing herself in the natural wonders of the dunes, forests, beaches and the varied cultural landscapes this national treasure provides. She will present a free program highlighting her work on Thursday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lakeshore visitor center.
September 05, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Offers North Manitou Island Deer Hunt
Permits are now available for the North Manitou Island special deer hunt within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
July 11, 2008
Researchers at the National Lakeshore Dig the Beach! Find Out What They Are Studying
While most visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are relaxing on the beaches and dunes, they are unaware of the vast array of scientific research efforts going on at the same time. In any given year, there may be 25 - 30 different research programs authorized within the Lakeshore, often through the efforts of well-known colleges, universities, and/or other government agencies. Scientists are studying air quality, amphibians and ticks, to name just a few of the topics. And now, the public has an opportunity to interact with two individuals who are currently conducting research in the Lakeshore. Both programs are free, will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at the National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire on M-72, and everyone is welcome to attend.
June 26, 2008
Manitou Island Transit Awarded New Ten-Year Contract at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Manitou Island Transit, of Leland, Michigan, has been selected as the concessioner for the operation of the passenger ferry service to the Manitou Islands within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for a new ten-year contract term, according to an announcement by Superintendent Dusty Shultz.
June 26, 2008
Lakeshore Employee Receives National Award
Engineering Equipment Operator George Henderson is the 2007 recipient of the National Park Service Director’s Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance.
June 23, 2008
Bike 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) and through the generous support of Ford Motor Company, Proud Partner of America’s National Parks. 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 09, 2008
Barn Restoration Workshop June 28-29, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be hosting its annual barn restoration workshop June 28-29 in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The workshop will be held at the Lawr Farmstead on M-22 and Basch Road, approximately 5 miles north of Glen Arbor. The Lakeshore and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network are providing the instructors for this workshop.
May 27, 2008
Treat Yourself with a Saturday at the Lakeshore
The wildflowers are out, the birds are singing, and the weather is just right for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. So put down the garden rake, get off the lawn mower and treat yourself to a hike with a National Park Service Ranger. “Saturdays at the Lakeshore” begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 where you meet a Park Ranger for an introduction to that day’s topic.
May 21, 2008
Lakeshore Delays Use of Prescribed Fire to Preserve Landscape
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has advised that plans for a prescribed fire to maintain open fields in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District area have been postponed.
May 08, 2008
National Lakeshore Presents Living History Days for Students
Elementary school students are invited to explore an historic Great Lakes village, complete with a blacksmith shop, a general store, and a U.S. Life-Saving Service Station. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will present two days of special historical demonstrations and tours on May 29 and 30, 2008 at the restored Glen Haven Village. “Glen Haven Days” is designed to supplement classroom learning and bring history to life by providing students with many new, first-hand experiences relating to Michigan’s maritime heritage. Students will watch a blacksmith at the forge, compare and contrast historic boats, visit a general store, learn how ships and engines were powered by steam, participate in a shipwreck rescue, and much more.
May 06, 2008
Lakeshore Will Use Prescribed Fire to Preserve Landscape
Farmers have long known that fire is an excellent tool for clearing fields, and firefighters at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will soon be using it to maintain the open fields of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. These former agricultural fields are managed as cultural landscapes that help tell the story of the settlers of Port Oneida. These same fields also provide habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife. To help maintain the open character of these landscapes, the Lakeshore will utilize prescribed fire at the former Burfiend farm in Port Oneida in May.
May 02, 2008
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Selected for First Two National Park Service Centennial Projects
The South Manitou Island Lighthouse is about to beam for the first time in 50 years and the National Lakeshore’s famous sand dunes are going to be protected from a weed invasion. “These two projects have been made possible due to the generosity of our partners and the new National Park Service Centennial Initiative,” said Superintendent Dusty Shultz.
