Community
Engagement
Meaningful & Equitable
Community Engagement
We serve the residents, workers, and visitors of Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties to bring awareness to the complex issues within the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan and ways they can help. Through presentations, hikes, and in-person and online events we provide opportunities for people to connect with our local environment and learn about our region's unique biodiversity and ways they can be environmental stewards and access the nature around them.
There are many ways individuals can help protect the Indiana Dunes in their daily lives. Simple daily choices like staying on designated paths, throwing away trash, and even choosing native plants for home gardens have a collective impact on our local environment. Save the Dunes is committed to bringing these resources to the people of Northwest Indiana and showing people the many ways they can make choices that promote a healthy local environment. Check out some of the resources on beach access points in Miller and Michigan City and our Living in the Dunes guides on our Resources Page.
Addressing Social Trails
Social trails—unauthorized paths created by foot traffic—can damage sensitive dune habitats and wildlife. Save the Dunes works with local communities and the Indiana Dunes National Park to raise awareness about the impacts of these trails and promote Leave No Trace principles throughout the dunes region. By encouraging responsible recreation, we help protect the landscapes people love while fostering a stronger sense of stewardship in our communities.
Plastic Reduction
Plastic pollution threatens both our environment and our health, which is why Save the Dunes is taking action to reduce it at the source. We’ve led a community effort to collect and recycle over 1,000 pounds of plastic bags and films, keeping them out of landfills and waterways. In partnership with Indiana Dunes National Park, we’re also working to reduce single-use plastic brought into the park, promoting a cleaner, more sustainable visitor experience.
Native Pollinator Gardens
Save the Dunes empowers community members to create their own native pollinator gardens by providing guidance, resources, and inspiration. Using our Pollinator Guide and the demonstration garden at our Barker House headquarters, we show people how to select native plants, support pollinators, and maintain thriving habitat at home. Through workshops, events, and hands-on learning, we’re helping residents turn their yards into part of a larger conservation effort.
