A new collaboration between Dune Bird Winery, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore announced a limited- release wine: Pink Plover—a sweet rosé crafted to raise awareness and funds for the endangered Piping Plover and other resource protection efforts along Lake Michigan shorelines.
“We’re incredibly excited to collaborate with Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes to raise both awareness and funds for the Piping Plover,” said Bekah Bell, Brand Culture and Flight Club manager at Dune Bird Winery. “This partnership allows us to bring together our love for wine and our commitment to environmental conservation — not only in our vineyards and winemaking but also in our communities and along our shorelines.”
To kick off Michigan Wine Month, the public is invited to the launch of Pink Plover rosé on Thursday, May 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dune Bird.
RSVP to the event here: https:// dunebirdwinery. com/ product/pink-plover-releaseparty.
The family-friendly event will feature tastings of the new wine, live music by Luke Woltanski, opportunities to learn about the Great Lakes Piping Plover population along the national lakeshore and in Northport, and many other activities. Attendees will also learn about how they can volunteer and contribute to protecting Piping Plovers and preserving natural resources at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Leelanau’s unofficial bird — the endangered Piping Plover — breeds along the sandy and rocky shores of the western coast of Leelanau from April to August each year.
Dune Bird’s Pink Plover represents a community commitment to protecting one of Michigan’s most beloved and vulnerable species. A portion of every bottle sold will support conservation efforts for the Piping Plover and other Friends of Sleeping Bear resource protection programs.
A highlight of last year’s Piping Plover breeding season was another successful year for the oldest piping plover to make her way back to SBDNL. “Gabby” is the oldest piping plover on record at 15 years old, and she successfully fledged her 34th and 35th chicks this season.
“The Friends of Sleeping Bear welcome Dune Bird’s creative financial support in helping conservation efforts at Sleeping Bear Dunes,” said Laura Ann Johnson, Executive Director of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. “In supporting our partnership with the Park, we rely on the generosity of individual and business donations to help protect natural resources and enhance visitor experiences in the Park.”
Scott Mills spotted the first three Piping Plovers at the Sleeping Bear Dunes on April 8. He saw two males and a female, which typically nest at Sleeping Bear Point and Platte Bay.
Last year, the SBDNL piping plover monitoring team faced multiple challenges with fledging on both the mainland and South Manitou Island.
The piping plover team did have unexpected success at a new fledging nesting site where the Dune Climb trail meets Lake Michigan, which is a first for the park. All four of their chicks fledged.
The Piping Plover population has been on an upward trajectory since 2022. As of 2024, there are 80 reported pairs of Piping Plovers. The number of fledged chicks has dropped from its high of roughly 150 in 2022 to roughly 120 in 2024.
Without the dedication of volunteers, National Park personnel, and University studies, the Piping Plover would certainly be doomed.
Sleeping Bear Dunes partners with local, state, federal, and tribal organizations to protect Great Lakes piping plovers. The following actions are critical for nesting success: monitoring nesting habitat; observing plover behavior; and locating all plover nests within the Lakeshore; building predator enclosures to protect adults and nests before the eggs hatch; roping off sections of the beach to provide habitat away from human activity.
