Save the Dunes was hard at work preparing for the Indiana State Legislative session. The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly officially started on January 8th and lasted until late April. Lawmakers passed a new budget to run the state for the next two years during this session. Some of the key environmental bills that passed included issues like water usage, stormwater permitting, and prescribed burns. 

Save the Dunes posted a bill watch list highlighting some of the bills that are of high priority to our region and our organization. The majority of these bills were killed in the first half of the session and did not become law. However one of great significance to our region was House Bill 1557, which was signed by Governor Braun on April 30th. 

This legislation develops a certification that allows landowners to utilize prescribed burning to enhance their land and improve native habitat for wildlife throughout the state. Prescribed burning is a vital tool for many of our Northwest Indiana conservation partners that they use to manage natural landscapes (including protected nature preserves and the area within the Indiana Dunes National and state parks). Save the Dunes is thrilled to see this important bill pass, as this legislation makes it easier for regional partners to improve their lands for native plant habitats. 

Although the state session has come to a close, we will continue to talk with our local representatives during the next few months to help support and advocate for the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding natural areas for the health and vitality of the environment, and the people who live, work, and recreate in Northwest Indiana. Thank you for helping us advocate for our region, and we hope you will join us during the 2026 state session next year!