The nonprofit group that supports an iconic natural landmark in northwest Lower Michigan is changing its name, officials with the organization recently announced.
Here’s what to know about the newly renamed organization and popular tourist destination it helps maintain.
What is Sleeping Bear Forever?
Sleeping Bear Forever is now the new name for the nonprofit philanthropic partner of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, dedicated to preserving and sharing the park’s natural, cultural and historic heritage. Formerly known as Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, the organization has spent nearly three decades helping protect more than 360 historic structures and landscapes within the park, including farmhouses, barns, cabins, orchards and maritime sites.
Through fundraising, volunteer projects, educational programs and heritage experiences, Sleeping Bear Forever works alongside the National Park Service to ensure that future generations can enjoy and learn from this nationally significant landscape.
Why did Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear change its name?
The organization announced on Monday that it had officially changed its name from Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear to Sleeping Bear Forever. Leaders said the new name better reflects both the group’s long-term commitment to the park and its expanding role beyond historic preservation alone.
Inspired in part by the National Park Service’s focus on being in the “forever business” by safeguarding and managing public lands in perpetuity, the rebranding emphasizes stewardship, public engagement, visitor experiences and the adaptive reuse of historic properties, the organization said. While the name has changed, officials stress that the organization’s core mission of protecting and interpreting Sleeping Bear’s heritage remains the same.
What is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore known for?
Sleeping Bear, located about 30 miles west of Traverse City, is best known for its towering sand dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan, but the area is also home to a remarkable collection of historic cultural resources. Within the national lakeshore are hundreds of preserved features, including farms, barns, schoolhouses, life-saving stations, inns, orchards and a lighthouse that help tell the story of the region’s agricultural and maritime past.
The Port Oneida Rural Historic District, where Sleeping Bear Forever is headquartered, is recognized as the largest rural historic district under public ownership in the United States.
What to know before going
Visitors planning a trip to Sleeping Bear should know that the park offers far more than scenic overlooks and dune climbs. Historic farms, museums, guided tours, hiking trails and heritage programs provide opportunities to explore the area’s rich history.
Many sites are spread across a large geographic area, so planning ahead and checking seasonal hours is recommended. Travelers should also be prepared for changing weather conditions along Lake Michigan and bring plenty of water for strenuous dune hikes. Before visiting, check current conditions, events and accessibility information through the National Park Service and Sleeping Bear Forever websites.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Sleeping Bear Dunes nonprofit, still the same, just a name change
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Max Reinhart, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
