This year has been fantastic for the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. In 2022, the Friends dedicated over 12,600+ volunteer hours and $177,000 in funds to help complete Park projects and connect with visitors to make the Lakeshore a safe place for visitors to experience while protecting resources.
Our organization is committed to assisting the National Park Service team with enhancing visitor experiences and preserving the Lakeshore for many years to come. Thank you to our tremendous volunteers and supporters for your contributions and dedication to our mission. Here is a look at some of the projects that the Friends conducted and supported this year:
- Our Preventative Search and Rescue volunteers increased visitor contacts by 8,000 and saw the low- est number of search and rescue operations and 911 calls since the program’s inception!
- Expanded the Track Chair Program with an additional chair as well as brought the hikes to a new location, the Platte River Campground.
- Provided funding for the NPS and tribal consultants to develop and offer educational and interpretive programming about the history of the Anishinaabe.
- Received a $20k grant from the National Park Foundation as part of a larger grant given to the Lakeshore for Night Sky education programs.
- Fabricated custom bike racks at the historic blacksmith shop in Glen Haven.
View the full 2022 Annual Newsletter to read more about the programs and their impacts as well as statements from our new Chairman and Park Superintendant, Scott Tucker.
Over our 25+ years in service working with the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, the Friends have accomplished some amazing work within the park. You can find a summary of this year’s accomplishments and all previous newsletters from the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes on our Accomplishments Page.