October Gold at Sleeping Bear Dunes by James Eye View Photography
Leelanau.com shares that today is the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, writing “Today is the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and I for one cannot imagine what the Leelanau Peninsula would look like if Phil Hart & others hadn’t fought to preserve this globally unique gem.“
Google’s AI overview that they stole from our Sleeping Bear Dunes Guide says (correctly) that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was officially established on October 21, 1970, when President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 91-479 first proposed by Senator Philip Hart to protect the 35-mile stretch of Michigan’s Lake Michigan shoreline after a contentious public battle:
Public Law 91-479 states, “…the Congress finds that certain outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena, exist along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on certain nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, and that such features ought to be preserved in their natural setting and protected from developments and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area.” The Congress also directed that “…the Secretary (of the Interior) shall administer and protect Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in a manner which provides for recreational opportunities consistent with the maximum protection of the natural environment within the area.”
The Lakeshore mission is to preserve outstanding natural features including forests, beaches, dunes and ancient glacial phenomena along 100 km (64 miles) of Lake Michigan shoreline, in order to perpetuate the natural setting for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, and to protect it from developments and inappropriate uses that would destroy its scenic beauty, scientific and recreational value.
James shared this photo last weekend. You should definitely be following James Eye View on Facebook and you can view & purchase his work including 2027 calendars on his website.
