Carl Levin

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Teaching like Yoda

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore deputy superintendent Tom Ulrich, who will retire from the Park later this month, once heard a poignant analogy at a leadership conference that compared the old style of managing a National Park to the Star Wars jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who deftly and constantly fends off outside threats with his light saber. By contrast, the new style of Park management is not to deflect or fight off criticism from the public, but to engage, listen and teach as Yoda does. Ulrich arrived at Sleeping Bear Dunes in late 2002 at a time when Lakeshore staff was reeling from widespread criticism after it promoted an unpopular new General Management Plan that would expand portions of the Park classified as “wilderness.” His tenure at Sleeping Bear Dunes dawned a collaborative relationship between the Park and local citizens.

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Groundwork honors Chip Hoagland with Milliken Leadership Award

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Big Glen Lake resident Chip Hoagland — dubbed the “Warren Buffet of food” in a recent Traverse Magazine feature story — will be honored with the Milliken Leadership Award by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the nonprofit’s annual Harvest at the Commons celebration. Tickets to the event, including dinner and entertainment, cost $45 and are available at MyNorthTickets.com.

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Borrowing Sleeping Bear from our children

On Friday, May 30, dignitaries including U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dan Benishek gathered at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive #3 Dune Overlook to commemorate President Obama’s signing this spring of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness Act, which will preserve our National Lakeshore while guaranteeing public access to its roads, beaches and forests. Here are a few highlights from their speeches.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes to dedicate Wilderness legislation with dignitaries, music

All are invited to join Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in dedicating their newly designated Wilderness on Friday, May 30, at noon at the breathtaking #3 Dune Overlook on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. A special program is planned which focuses all participants on the mission of preserving and protecting this special place now and into the future. The National Park Service is pleased to announce that Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dan Benishek will be among some of the special speakers at this event.

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President Obama signs Sleeping Bear wilderness bill

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore wilderness bill passed the House of Representatives yesterday on a voice vote and will head to President Obama’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. Congressman Dan Benishek (a Republican representing Northern Michigan) championed the legislation in the House and expects it to be signed within the next couple weeks. Democratic Senator Carl Levin co-sponsored companion legislation that passed the Senate last year.

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Sleeping Bear “wilderness” legislation a potential win-win for Park and public

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Before the end of this year, Congress may approve “wilderness” legislation for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore that — despite the implication of the word — would forever guarantee public access to the Park’s pristine beaches along county roads, to historic manmade structures, and continue to allow hunting and fishing within the Lakeshore.

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National Lakeshore to get federal wilderness approval

The Ticker and other media outlets reported earlier this month that the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will receive the highest level of federal conservation protection for nearly 50 percent of our branch of the National Park Service.

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Sleeping Bear gets $1.3 million in federal funds

U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin say that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has received a $1.3 million federal transportation grant to continue work on a 27-mile hike-and-bike trail.

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Senate approves Levin bill to protect Sleeping Bear

Legislation by Sen. Carl Levin to permanently protect more than 32,000 acres of Michigan lakeshore won approval Thursday from a key Senate committee. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act (S.140,) a bill authored by Levin, D-Mich., and cosponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

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Senator Carl Levin Applauds Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a paved, multi-use bike trail that will span 27 miles through Leelanau County and the National Lakeshore, U.S. Senator Carl Levin applauded the project, calling it federal money well spent. Yesterday at the base of the Dune Climb, Senator Levin spoke along with National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz, Cherry Republic President and CEO Bob Sutherland, and others.

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