Freshwater Dune Summit

Heart of the Lakes is the collective voice for Michigan’s land conservancies and their friends. And we believe that places in nature have the power to create stories.Heart of the Lakes' efforts help to conserve forests, farmland, coastline, and other extraordinary places for the benefit of generations to come.At the core of our work is anunderstanding of people’s connection to land and water – how it enriches our lives, defines our sense of place, and provides for our most vital needs.We believe that a life well lived embraces fresh air, long hikes, cold nights, campfires, and infinite stars. We believe that who we are is as much about where we live as how we live. To be a Michigander is to be carved out of the geography we call home.

Heart of the Lakes

Our Great Lakes coastal dunes drive a thriving and diverse economy along with a unique lifestyle! Let’s work together to advance the protection of this remarkable natural landscape. 
Join <A HREF="http://www.environmentalcouncil.org/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Michigan Environmental Council</A>, <A HREF="http://www.heartofthelakes.org/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Heart of the Lakes</A>, and <A HREF="http://wmeac.org/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">West Michigan Environmental Action Council</A>, and connect with others who promote, advocate for, and research this vital part of our landscape. Share #howyoudune #dunegood #dunescience
This first-time event welcomes sand dune advocates, academic researchers, outdoor adventurers, and tourism professionals with expert speakers, information sharing and recreation, to celebrate our globally rare freshwater dunes and explore how best to enjoy and protect them.
Who Should Attend: Sand dune lovers & advocates; land conservancy members; parks & recreation & tourism professionals; community civic & business leaders; natural resources professionals; academic researchers & students; and anyone who wants to preserve & protect our freshwater dunes! Educational Program Monday, May 8 there will be a number of educational opportunities to learn more about dunes conservation from leaders in these areas. These opportunities include: Keynote Speakers Drs. Robert Richardson and Sarah Nicholls of Michigan State University will unveil a new social and economic value survey for the dunes. Heart of the Lakes will present its annual Conservation Hero awards. Dunes Field Trip Field trip features a visit to Hoffmaster State Park, a brief stop at Lake Harbor Park in Norton Shores, and a visit and hike at North Ottawa Dunes. Benefits of Recreation Economic and Community Benefits of Outdoor Recreation: Candy Kozeluh (Travel Marquette) and Lori Booth (Surfrider Foundation) Dunes/Beach Stewardship Dune and Beach Stewardship Efforts: Jamie Cross (Alliance for the Great Lakes - Clean Beaches Initiative) and Shaun Howard (The Nature Conservancy - Michigan Dune Alliance) Dunes Management Science Evolution in Dune Management Science: Suzanne DeVries Zimmerman and Ed Hansen (Hope College) and John Paskus (Michigan Natural Features Inventory) Case Studies on Protection and Access Case Studies in Protection and Access to Coastal Dunes: David Foote (Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy), Kathy Evans (West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission and Michigan Environmental Justice Working Group), and Jon Thompson (Huron-Manistee National Forests, including Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness) Stories of our Dunes Stories from our Dunes National Lakeshores: Scott Tucker (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent), Lynda Lancaster (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Civic Engagement), and Bruce Leutscher (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Chief of Science and Natural Resources)
 
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Agenda
MAY 7, 2017
Sunday Funday! Meet at the Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor for recreational outings with fellow dune lovers. Nominal contributions are requested to help organize each activity.
3:00 p.m. Option A.)  Group bike ride down to Pere Marquette beach. Bring your own bike; helmets strongly encouraged. 
Option B.) Trail run in the dunes led by local running enthusiasts. Small groups will carpool to nearby trail for a 3 mile run along Lake Michigan next to the dunes.
Option C.) 1.5 hour kayak float on the Muskegon River, organized through a local guide service. Cost includes kayak and transportation to/from hotel. 4:30 p.m. Dinner at Rebel Pies in downtown Muskegon.  **Please note that Sunday attendees will be responsible for their own food and beverage bills. 
6:00 p.m. Coastal films and brews at Unruly Brewing.
 
MAY 8, 2017
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration, Caffeine & Fruit at the Holiday Inn - Muskegon Harbor
9:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Option A.) Dunes Field Trip Field trip features a visit to Hoffmaster State Park, a brief stop at Lake Harbor Park in Norton Shores, and a visit and hike at North Ottawa Dunes. Speakers include Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman (Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park), Melanie Manion (Ottawa County Parks) and April Scholtz (Land Conservancy of West Michigan). $10 bus transportation fee required. 
Option B.)  Sharing and Discussion Sessions 
9:15 - 10:00 a.m. Economic and Community Benefits of Outdoor Recreation:  Candy Kozeluh (Travel Marquette) and Lori Booth (Surfrider Foundation)
10:05 - 11:10 a.m. Dune and Beach Stewardship Efforts: Jamie Cross (Alliance for the Great Lakes - Clean Beaches Initiative) and Shaun Howard (The Nature Conservancy - Michigan Dune Alliance)
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Evolution in Dune Management Science: Suzanne DeVries Zimmerman and Ed Hansen (Hope College) and John Paskus (Michigan Natural Features Inventory)
12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch with keynote speakers and awards. Drs. Robert Richardson and Sarah Nicholls of Michigan State University will unveil a new social and economic value survey for the dunes. Heart of the Lakes will present its annual Conservation Hero awards.
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Case Studies in Protection and Access to Coastal Dunes: David Foote (Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy), Kathy Evans (West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission and Michigan Environmental Justice Working Group), and Jon Thompson (Huron-Manistee National Forests, including Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness) 
3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Stories from our Dunes National Lakeshores: Scott Tucker (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent), Lynda Lancaster (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Civic Engagement), and Bruce Leutscher (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Chief of Science and Natural Resources) 
4:30 p.m. Happy Hour Session** at Pigeon Hill Brewery: Steve DeBrabander, Grants Section Manager for the Michigan DNR -- including coordinating the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund -- will be on hand to share information about the Trust Fund's operations and its role in facilitating public acquisition of coastal sand dunes. Karen Rae Boase, Coastal Habitat Specialist with the Coastal Zone Management Program, Office of the Great Lakes, will also be available to discuss the Coastal Zone Management program, including funding opportunities.
**Please note that Happy Hour attendees will be responsible for their own food and beverage bills. 
 
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Lodging
Overnight rooms are reserved at Holiday Inn & Conference Center Downtown Muskegon. Guests should call the front desk (231-722-0100 x3) and ask for the Michigan Dune Summit group block, before April 23rd 2017. Mention the group for a discounted rate of $89/night for May 7. To receive tax exemption, guests will need to bring their federal tax exempt form with them or fax/email it prior to arrival.
 
Financial assistance for this event provided, in part, by the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Office of the Great Lakes, Department of Environmental Quality and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Holiday Inn - Muskegon Harbor

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Freshwater Dune Summit

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Freshwater Dune Summit

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