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
☀️ A Glimpse of Winter Sunshine 🌅January doesn’t offer much sunshine, but we caught a stunning winter sunset this past weekend and couldn’t resist sharing a bit of that golden magic with you. ✨❄️🌟 Did you know? After the Winter Solstice on December 21, the sun begins its journey higher in the sky each day, traveling along a more northerly path. This happens because the Earth's axial tilt starts pointing the Northern Hemisphere closer to the sun.Here’s what it means:🌄 Daylight increases – The days grow longer as the sun rises earlier and sets later.🌞 Higher altitude – At solar noon, the sun climbs a bit higher each day, creating a larger arc across the sky.🌍 Moves northward – The points where the sun rises and sets gradually shift north.Enjoy the view and celebrate the slow return of longer days! 🌅 #WinterSunset #SleepingBearDunesNationalLakeshore #NatureBeauty #BeachLife ... See MoreSee Less
❄️ Send Snow! ❄️Our trail crew has been hard at work inspecting the trails, but we need a bit more of nature’s magic before we can groom. While we’ve had some fresh snow, it’s not quite enough near the Lakeshore— we need at least 4 inches to send the groomer out.So, let’s make it happen! Do your snow dances, flush those ice cubes, and wear your pajamas backwards — just like the kids do when they’re hoping for a snow day. ☃️ For now enjoy this beautiful photo by @jameseyeviewphotography We’ll keep you updated on snow conditions, so stay tuned! 🌨️ #ThinkSnow #TrailUpdates #SnowDance #friendsofsleepingbeardunes #sleepingbeardunesnationallakeshore ... See MoreSee Less
We are thrilled to welcome Amy Selleck as our new Volunteer Coordinator. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Kathy Cole for her many years of dedication as our Volunteer Coordinator. Your hard work and commitment have been invaluable! Amy began her journey with Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes as an Adopt-a-Trail volunteer and has contributed to the Communications Committee over the past few years. In the summer of 2022, Amy and her family relocated from the Pacific Northwest to Leelanau County. A lover of photography and the outdoors, Amy is grateful to call Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore her backyard. Welcome to the team, Amy! Read more about Amy here friendsofsleepingbear.org/welcome-new-volunteer-coordinator-amy-selleck/... See MoreSee Less
Snow has returned!Winter trail etiquette reminder...Hike or snowshoe NEXT to cross country ski tracks, not in or on top of them. This is especially key on groomed sections of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail fat tire bikers: If you're leaving ruts deeper than an inch or struggling to ride straight, the snow is too soft. Please avoid riding until conditions improve. #WinterTrails #TrailEtiquette ... See MoreSee Less
As we welcome 2025, we wish you a year filled with stewardship for the places you love, opportunities for growth, and moments of peace in nature's beauty. Here’s to another amazing year together at Sleeping Bear Dunes! Photo credit @amy_selleck #HappyNewYear #sleepingbeardunes #friendsofsleepingbear #2025 #lakemichigan ... See MoreSee Less