New Federal Actions Affecting National Parks

February 7, 2025

We have updated our ask in light of new circumstances. Check out our new blog HERE.

Recent decisions coming out of the executive branch of the federal government are having impacts in Northwest Indiana, particularly for the Indiana Dunes National Park. We are asking you to take 3 steps today to help advocate for natural areas in our region. Read on to learn more about what’s happening and how you can make a difference for the dunes.

3 Steps You Can Take to Help

Step 1 - Contact Your Reps

Call your federal Senator and Representative offices voicing your concern for the Indiana Dunes National Park. We’ve provided a script below to get you started.

Step 2 - Share This Information

Share this information with others and spread the word with your community.

Step 3 - Connect with Us

Follow Save the Dunes and sign up for our eNewsletter, follow us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram for the latest updates.

Why Save the Dunes is Concerned

Hiring Freeze

The recent changes in the federal government include a hiring freeze, which is having a direct impact on our national parks. The hiring freeze forced the Park Service to rescind more than 2,000 seasonal and permanent position offers across the country.

This freeze is especially concerning for our Indiana Dunes National Park, which employs around 180 individuals annually, of which approximately 80 are seasonal positions. The park relies heavily on these seasonal positions during the busy peak season, filling important roles such as beach lifeguards, facility maintenance, operating visitor centers, and protecting natural resources. The hiring process begins now for summer positions, so if the freeze is not lifted soon for the National Park Service, we could see serious safety and economic consequences.

Coupled with the hiring freeze was the administration’s additional guidance to the Park Service (and other federal agencies) to identify newer staff who are still in their probationary period and review these employees to consider reassigning them to temporary duties, put them on paid leave, or “determine whether those employees should be retained at the agency.” This will affect more than 1,000 employees considered to be in a probationary period in the National Park Service across the country. Those who recently accepted positions may now find themselves without a job due to these administrative changes.

How to Voice Your Concerns

We need your help! Your federal representatives are more likely to take action if they hear from you, their constituent! Phone calls are the most impactful way to communicate your concerns. Here’s how to find your reps, and what to say when you contact thier offices.

Who are Your Reps?

First you need to identify the federal legislators that represent you.

Click on the button below and enter your address
Look for the “Congressional Legislators” section. You will have one Representative and two Senators
The phone numbers will be listed, these are the three office numbers you will want to call

What Should You Say?

When calling, have a short script prepared and be ready to leave a message. Your call should be polite, to the point, and focused on your request.

Sample Script:

Hi, my name is __ and I live in __(city/county the legislator represents)
I am deeply concerned with the recent Executive Orders and policies issued by the new administration that threaten to significantly reduce the National Park Service workforce, and will have direct impacts on our local Indiana Dunes National Park and many local businesses who rely on them.
I am asking you to please express concern to the White House and directly with Secretary Burgum requesting an immediate exemption from the federal hiring freeze for the National Park Service to ensure that the Indiana Dunes National Park can prepare for the spring and summer seasons.
(Add personal example of why this is important to you and/or how it impacts your community)
- Examples:
- The Indiana Dunes National Park is the number one tourist destination in the state and the most recent statistics show that the park brought in 2.8 million visitors annually, and generated an estimated $206 million in revenue for local communities.
- Lack of seasonal staff at the Indiana Dunes National Park during peak seasons will result in unkept bathrooms, delayed entry at gates, scarce staff to greet and direct visitors, closed visitor centers, public safety risks at our beaches, and other impacts for visitors.
Please express concern to the White House and directly to Secretary Burgum and request an immediate exemption for the National Park Service from the federal hiring freeze.
Thank you for your consideration!