Donate
Facebook Instagram Youtube

Act Now - Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan

Now is the time to speak up: Congress is deciding how much funding the National Park Service will receive in the coming year, and your voice can make a difference.

The Indiana Dunes face growing challenges, and federal budget negotiations will shape the resources available to protect their health and future. While proposed budget cuts are being discussed, nothing is set in stone yet—making it critical for you to let your representatives know today that national parks matter.

Each year, Congress passes appropriations bills—laws that allocate funding to federal agencies like the National Park Service (NPS). Without strong appropriations, Indiana Dunes National Park cannot maintain operations, complete critical restoration projects, or support needed staffing levels. While negotiations are still underway, all indications suggest that significant cuts to NPS and other environmental agencies are likely—cuts that could seriously undermine the park and the communities it serves.

Indiana Dunes is Indiana’s top tourist destination and plays a vital role in our region’s ecology, economy, and climate resilience. It’s essential that legislators hear from constituents who value national parks and want to see them fully supported.

Please call your one House Representative and two Senators today and ask them to support funding for the NPS at or above current fiscal year levels and reject the proposed FY 2026 budget cuts that would harm our National Park.

How to Take Action:

Step 1 - Contact Your Representatives

Call your one House Representative and two Senator offices to express your support for the Indiana Dunes National Park, and ask that they support funding in the upcoming fiscal year at a level that will help rebuild staffing capacity across the National Park Service.

Senator Banks Phone Number: (202) 224-4814

Senator Young Phone Number: (202) 224-5623

Congressman Mrvan Phone Number: (219) 795-1844

Not from Northwest Indiana? Your voice is still needed! 

Find Your House Representative Here

Find Your Senator Here

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.

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 asking Representative/Senator ___ to protect the Indiana Dunes region by supporting funding for the National Park Service at or above current fiscal year levels and rejecting the proposed FY 2026 budget cuts in the ongoing appropriations bills for the 2026 fiscal year. 
  • These dollars serves as a critical source of funding to helping the Indiana Dunes region protect and preserve our state’s most precious and rare natural resources.
  • The irreplaceable assets in the Indiana Dunes National Park are economic engines for our Hoosier communities.
  • Recent statistics show a 24% decline in workforce in National Park Staffing in 2025 alone.
  • With the ongoing environmental threats in our region including habitat degridation, shoreline erosion, and increased flooding, this funding is needed now more than ever.
  • (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 2.7 million visitors annually, and generated an estimated $206 million in revenue for local communities.
    • Without adequate funding, the Indiana Dunes National Park  would not be able to hire staff to help protect the most unique and beautiful ecosystems in our state.
    • As a constituent, I ask that you do everything in your power to support the National Park Service and the conservation efforts to protect the unique biodiversity in the park. 
  • Please ask Representative/Senator ___ to support the Indiana Dunes National Park by securing funding for the National Park Service at or above current fiscal year levels and rejecting the proposed FY 2026 budget cuts that would harm our National Park and surrounding local communities in Northwest Indiana. 
  • Thank you for your consideration! 

Why Your Support Matters - Update on the Interior Environment Appropriations Bills

The combined impact of recent funding cuts and staffing losses makes it more critical than ever that the National Park Service receives adequate support through this appropriations process. The appropriation process is how the U.S. government decides how to spend federal money each year. Both the House and Senate have currently voted on its version of the Interior and Environment bill for the next fiscal year, which funds the National Parks Service. The House and Senate committee must now work together to agree on a final version of the bill.

The proposal on the Senate side provides $3.27 billion for the National Park Service, which holds funding at the same level as last fiscal year, and includes key provisions to hire urgently needed park staff, helping restore the agency’s capacity to protect these natural spaces. The bill also protects all 433 national park units from being sold off or otherwise eliminated from the National Park System. This stands in sharp contrast to the House version of the bill, which cuts NPS operations by $213 million—a reduction that would severely weaken park services. 

The Indiana Dunes National Park, like many other national parks, has suffered from staffing levels which have not kept pace with rising costs of maintaining our parks natural, cultural, and visitor resources. Our park is already understaffed and recent directives are reducing the park’s workforce even more. Since 2010, staffing to operate national parks has declined by 20% while visitation has increased by 16%. The Indiana Dunes National Park is the number one tourist destination in the state of Indiana and the most recent statistics show that the park brought in more than 2.8 million visitors annually, and generated an estimated $206 million in revenue for local communities. 

Save the Dunes is heartened to see bipartisan support within the Senate Committee highlighting the importance of our national parks. We hope to see the Senate and House committees build on this momentum and pass an Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill that ensures our parks remain safe, accessible, and protected for current and future generations.

Shutdown Impacts at Indiana Dunes

The federal government is currently experiencing a shutdown, which means that many government operations, including staffing at national parks, are extremely limited. At Indiana Dunes National Park, this has direct impacts on park services and visitor support.

During the shutdown, you can expect:

  • National park staffing will be minimal – only enough to maintain health, safety, and resource protection
  • Roads, trails, and beaches will remain accessible to the public
  • All national park education and volunteer programs are canceled during the shutdown
  • The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor’s Center will remain open
  • Other park buildings and restrooms are not guaranteed to be open
  • The Indiana Dunes State Park will remain open during the shutdown

If you do visit the park, your actions matter more than ever. For more detailed tips and guidance for visiting responsibly while staff and services are limited, please check out our blog.

Read Our Blog to Learn More

The Indiana Dunes Need You

The Indiana Dunes are facing growing challenges that threaten their health and future. At Save the Dunes, we’re working to support and protect the park during this critical time—but we can’t do it alone.

Donate Today to Help Defend the Dunes

Your support powers local action to protect this national treasure now, and for future generations to come.

Donate Today
Purchase Your National Park Pass
from Save the Dunes!

Save the Dunes is now selling National Park Passes! Your Pass allows you to access any and all Indiana Dunes National Park beaches, trailheads, and parking lots while enjoying the beauty of the Indiana Dunes and beyond. 10% of funds from passes purchased through Save the Dunes will go directly to supporting our mission.

Email or call us at 219-879-3564 to schedule a time to purchase your pass at our office at 444 Barker Road, Michigan City. Or come see us at any of our in-person events! 

Pass Options:

  • 7-Day Indiana Dunes National Park Pass — $25
  • Annual Indiana Dunes National Park Pass — $45
  • Annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass — $80
Email Us

Or click anywhere else to continue to our website

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 today thanks to our matching donors, Mark J. Mihalo D.D.S. Family Dentistry; CLH, CPA’s & Consultants; and Nancy Moldenhauer & Sharlene Livesay.  

Will you join their generosity by supporting Save the Dunes this Giving Tuesday?

Help us reach our goal of $8,500 by donating today!

Donate Today