Immediately following Earth Day on April 22 this year is National Park Week, April 23-28, celebrated at national parks throughout the U.S.

Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are inviting everyone to join in a free “Brown Bag Bonanza” luncheon series. Events will take place Monday through Friday from noon until 1 p.m. at the park’s visitor center in Empire.

On each day, park employees will tell stories and share photos from the different National Park sites at which they have worked. The weeklong event will culminate on Saturday, April 28, with a special Junior Ranger Day during which children of all ages can learn about and explore the Lakeshore, earn a badge and take the Junior Ranger oath.

Sleeping Bear Dunes superintendent Dusty Shultz said Rangers will recount their first hand experiences at places such as Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Dinosaur, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, and other parks in the National Park system.

“Our staff collectively has worked in over 120 different National Park Service sites around the country,” Shultz said.

No park pass is required to participate in the “Brown Bag Bonanzas” and light refreshments will be served.

• On Monday, chief ranger Larry Johnson will speak about his experiences at Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming.

• On Tuesday, park ranger Chris Amidon will discuss his experience at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

• On Wednesday, human resource assistant Marie White will reminisce about her stint at Death Valley National Park in California.

• On Thursday, the husband and wife team of Paul and Gail Purifoy will discuss one of their favorite postings, at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado.

• On Friday, ranger Jim Dal Sasso will take everyone on a whirlwind tour of all 22 national parks he’s called home during his career.

• On Saturday, April 28, visitors can pick from a morning or afternoon ranger program prior to a special Junior Ranger assembly at the visitor center at 3 p.m.

For more information about the schedule or other Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore activities, call the visitor center at 326-5134 or visit www.nps.gov/slbe online.