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View Lunar Eclipse at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

As darkness falls on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the glorious night sky becomes visible. A four-hour lunar eclipse is the feature for the National Lakeshore’s first Star Party of the year. This unique program will take place during the early morning of Tuesday, April 15, from 1:30-5:30 a.m., at the Dune Climb. Participants are asked to park in the row furthest from the dunes facing M-109. This Star Party could be cancelled during inclement weather; the decision is usually made a few hours in advance. Please call Park Rangers at 231-326-4700, ext. 5005, for a voicemail message with the decision.

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Glen Lake Library hosts Village of South Manitou Island exhibit

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The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a special exhibit called “Footprints in the Sand – Tracing the Path that Led to the Birth of the Village of South Manitou Island” from April 4 through May 17. The exhibit tells the story of the Village using historical photographs, maps, drawings and narrative. The display opens with a reception on Friday, April 4 from 6 t0 8 p.m. Refreshments will also be served. It then can be viewed during regular library hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

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Op-Ed: Wastewater in the Air in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Ten local, state and national organizations have joined together in endorsing a statement calling on The Homestead Resort and the Michigan Department of Enviromental Quality to work together to correct the problem of partially-treated wastewater spray blowing into a portion of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, rendering it unavailable for public use.

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Experience the night sky at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

As darkness falls on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the glorious night sky becomes visible. You can enjoy special night sky experiences at the National Lakeshore this year through a series of monthly astronomy programs from April through October. Join Park Rangers and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) for guided explorations of the night sky and even a few daytime events as well. The first Star Party is Tuesday, April 15, 1:30-5:30 a.m., when participants can view a total lunar eclipse.

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Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail transitions to spring

Kerry Kelly, chairman of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, reports on Sunday, March 16, that grooming on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is probably over for the year. It was a great year for skiing, but the warm weather and rain followed by freezing left us with an ice rink.

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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 tourism creates over $150 million in local economic benefit

A new National Park Service report shows that 1,531,560 visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 2012 spent nearly $152 million in communities near the Park. That spending supported 2,818 jobs in the local area.

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Benishek’s Sleeping Bear Dunes “Wilderness” Legislation Moves Toward Becoming Law

Today, Congressman Dan Benishek’s (Republican of Michigan) legislation to protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was unanimously passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources during a key Congressional mark-up hearing. The legislation now is set to move to the House floor for a final vote.

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National Lakeshore offers hazard tree environmental assessment

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore proposes to update its Hazard Tree Management Plan (HTMP) to include responses to current and imminent tree disease epidemics. To do so, the National Lakeshore will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) that will describe and analyze alternative methods available for these responses and determine which to include in the plan update.

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National Lakeshore to expand multi-use trails

Heritage Trail grows; Kettles, Bay-to-Bay, mountain biking trails on tap? By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Over the next couple years, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore could vastly expand its network, and range, of trails. By July, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail will expand south, from the Dune Climb to Empire, allowing bicyclists, rollerbladers, wheelchair-bound […]

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