piping plover on beach

“Pink Plover” Rosé Launch Benefits Piping Plover Conservation

piping plover on beach

Dune Bird Announces New Partnership with Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

“Pink Plover” Rosé Launch Event Benefits Piping Plover Conservation and Natural Resource Protection Work

Northport, MI — April 8, 2025 — Dune Bird Winery is proud to announce a new collaboration with Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes (FOSB), a 501C3 nonprofit, partnered with the National Park Service, dedicated to protecting resources and heightening visitor experiences at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This collaboration is marked by the release of a special, 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’s 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.”

The Piping Plover is a small, endangered shorebird that breeds along the shores of the Great Lakes from April to August each year. Almost half of the Great Lakes population nests within the Lakeshore. Dune Bird’s Pink Plover represents a community commitment to protect one of Michigan’s most beloved and vulnerable species. A portion of every bottle sold will go toward supporting conservation efforts for the Piping Plover and other Friends of Sleeping Bear resource protection programs.

“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 FoSB. “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.”

Kicking off Michigan Wine Month, the public is invited to join in launching Pink Plover rosé on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m..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 learn about how they can volunteer and contribute to protecting Piping Plovers and preserving natural resources at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. RSVP

Event Details:

  • What: Pink Plover Wine Release Party & Conservation Education Night
  • When: May 1, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Where: Dune Bird Winery, 5620 N. Manitou Trail, Northport, MI
  • Cost: Free to attend, donations and purchases of Pink Plover wine will support Piping Plover conservation and Friends of Sleeping Bear resource protection initiatives
  • RSVPs are encouraged! CLICK HERE then, ADD to CART.

For more information about the Pink Plover wine, the event, or to RSVP, please visit Dune Bird Winery’s website or contact Bekah Bell directly at bekah@dunebirdwinery.com. About Dune Bird Winery: Dune Bird Winery is a boutique winery located in Northport, MI, known for its high-quality wines and hand-crafted espresso drinks and celebrates the natural beauty of the Northern Michigan region. With a focus on sustainable farming practices and a commitment to connection, Dune Bird Winery offers a unique tasting experience while giving back to the local environment.

About Friends of Sleeping Bear: Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is a 501c3 non-profit organization partnered with the National Park Service and dedicated to supporting the preservation and protection of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Through volunteer efforts, educational programs, and fundraising initiatives, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes safeguards the park’s natural resources, wildlife, and historic sites for future generations to enjoy and support programming that enhances visitor’s experiences. For more information, please visit FriendsofSleepingBear.org

About the Piping Plover: Great Lakes piping plovers are small, migratory shorebirds. They are critically endangered and protected by federal law. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provides the largest, high-quality plover habitat in the Great Lakes. Almost half of the Great Lakes population nests within the Lakeshore.

In mid-April, this population of piping plovers migrates north to the Great Lakes shorelines. They lay eggs in May and hatch chicks in June and July. Their speckled eggs and sand-colored appearance blend in perfectly on wide rocky beaches. During the breeding season, adults have a black eyebrow band and a single black neck band. Listen for their characteristic peep-lo call. Piping Plover Conservation Efforts: 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 exclosures to protect adults and nests before the eggs hatch; and Roping off sections of the beach to provide habitat away from human activity.