A message from Betsy Maher, Executive Director of Save the Dunes

I am so honored and excited to join Save the Dunes. I’ve been building a career in non-profit management with the hopes to one day lead a non-profit with a conservation mission. In fact, it’s the reason I pursued my Masters in Public Administration. As I finish up what will be my fourth week on the job, I can say with confidence that I have landed in the right place for this position and the mission of Save the Dunes brings my professional and personal passions together in a very fulfilling way.

Like so many who love the outdoors, I spent my childhood in nature. My family would visit the Indiana Dunes from time to time and spent our summers swimming and boating in Door County, Wisconsin, all of which solidified my love of Lake Michigan and it’s majestic shorelines. In college, I spent a summer working for a backcountry hiking company in upstate New York where my love for exploring different state and national parks was discovered. I started to spend more time as an adult visiting the Indiana Dunes with friends and family since it brought my love of Lake Michigan and our National Parks together in one place. It is fitting, to say the least, that my job is now to protect them.

I had read that my predecessor, Natalie Johnson, visited Mount Baldy shortly after she interviewed for the Executive Director role back in 2016. I decided to continue the tradition and packed up my husband and two boys, ages 3 and 7, and headed to the famous dune. While probably not as peaceful of an experience as Natalie had since I had two kids in tow, it was still a very validating moment. We played for hours on the beach and took in the beauty of the area as the sun set on the magnificent dune.

I feel very lucky to step into this role at such an exciting time for the organization and the Northwest Indiana area. I was fortunate to have spent my first week on the job working alongside and learning from Natalie. She has grown the organization in very important and foundational ways and her talents will be missed. I am grateful for the strong foundation she laid that I now have the privilege to build upon. Additionally, there are some big changes happening in the community that Save the Dunes is actively playing a role in. Several important decisions and legislative actions have happened even in my first few weeks. As I said, this is an exciting time! I am humbled to be selected to lead Save the Dunes in this next chapter, and excited to show people the many ways they can get involved in this incredible cause.

Cyber Monday Sale!

Today Only – to celebrate Cyber Monday, we are giving you a free Hydro Flask bottle with any purchase over $50 from our online shop!

This is the perfect opportunity to sport our merch, support our mission, and cross some names off your shopping list! 

Every order placed today, 11/27/23, over $50 will automatically include a free 21 oz Standard Mouth Hydro Flask bottle with the Save the Dunes logo engraved on one side – a $35 value gifted to you for supporting Save the Dunes! The color will be either Snapper (dark fuchsia) or Starfish (yellow/orange), chosen at random. 

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Happy #GivingTuesday!

Today is all about Getting Involved and Giving to the organizations you hold near and dear to your heart. We hope you will consider making Save the Dunes one of the organizations you support this year!

Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $7,500 thanks to our matching donors, Mark J. Mihalo D.D.S. Family Dentistry; CLH, CPA’s & Consultants; and Nancy Moldenhauer & Sharlene Livesay. We are eternally grateful for their generosity! Will you join them in supporting Save the Dunes this Giving Tuesday?

Help us reach our goal of $10,000 by donating today!