Last month, Congress passed the Interior Appropriations Bill, bringing welcome news for our national parks, including the Indiana Dunes National Park. The Interior Appropriations Bill sets the annual budget for the National Park Service, providing funding for park operations such as staffing, ongoing projects, and natural resource management. Because this funding is now in place for the current fiscal year, Indiana Dunes National Park remains open and staffed—even as other parts of the federal government are affected by a partial shutdown.

Save the Dunes has been advocating for increased funding for the National Park Service to ensure there is adequate staff and resources to protect the Indiana Dunes and serve the more than 3 million visitors who come to the park each year. This advocacy is especially critical given that over the past 25 years, Indiana Dunes National Park has experienced a 36% reduction in staffing—dropping from 140 full-time employees to just 90—despite steadily increasing visitation and management demands.

While ideally we would have liked to see a budget increase, we are happy to see that the funding at least held flat compared to last year’s budget, especially since previous versions of the bill called for deep cuts to National Park Service funding.

Here is a breakdown of how this bill will benefit the Indiana Dunes region:

• National Park Service: $3.27 billion — this funding keeps our parks open, staffed, protected, and ensures park employees are paid

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: $1.65 billion — this funding is critical for wildlife and habitat protection in our region

• U.S. Geological Survey: $1.42 billion — this funding supports science that protects the Great Lakes region and Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline

While not everything we hoped for, this outcome is a win for the Indiana Dunes National Park staff, our community, and our local economy. This moment is also a reminder of the power of advocacy. Funding for national parks does not happen automatically—it takes consistent engagement, storytelling, and public support. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who continues to advocate alongside us for the Indiana Dunes National Park!

Because of that collective effort, the Indiana Dunes National Park and parks across the country are better positioned to continue to protect these irreplaceable landscapes, ecosystems, and natural resources. At Save the Dunes, we will continue to advocate for the Indiana Dunes National Park, push for increased funding, and tell the story of why sustained investment in our national parks is critical for the people, wildlife, and landscapes that depend on them.