S.A.V.E. the Dunes: A Personal & Organization Driven Mission

"S.A.V.E. the Dunes: Our Work Today, Our Vision Ahead"

A personal and organizational mission statement from our Executive Director

In 2022, when Betsy Maher was navigating the application process for the role of Executive Director of Save the Dunes, she drafted a vision statement for how Save the Dunes, a 70+ year old, legacy grassroots advocacy organization could meet the 21st century head on.

This vision statement was inspired by our long standing mission, to continue to protect & preserve the Indiana Dunes for future generations to enjoy, but captured an essential guiding current to which, now, 4 years later, our organization is sailing toward with dedication & a stiff breeze. She came up with an acronym that rallyed off our name, S.A.V.E. : Support, Advocate, Voice, and Engage.

Support our National and State Parks

After years of advocacy, much of the Indiana Dunes are now under the protection of the National and State Parks. This makes these parks our most important partner. Our support will manifest in many forms, whether that be partnering on grants, collaborating on restoration projects, or raising awareness about the parks. No single organization can save the dunes on its own, but when we join together with our parks and other local partners, we amplify our message and can continue to protect and restore this precious landscape.

Advocate for greater protections for the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan watershed.

Establishing the Indiana Dunes as a national park was an important step, but there is still much work to be done to protect the dunes and surrounding natural areas from the many threats they still face. The Indiana Dunes are one of the most fragmented landscapes in our nation, and many ecosystems within it still need further restoration to thrive. Local industrial and residential pollution create constant threats to these unique ecosystems as well as the residents of northwest Indiana. Additionally, climate change has changed the weather patterns in the area impacting the ability for local fauna and flora to flourish without human
intervention. Save the Dunes will continue to be the advocate of the dunes at the local, state, and federal level until these threats are addressed. We will continue to train advocates, including the next generation of conservation leaders, to advocate for the dune’s protection.

We will be the Voice of the dunes.

Nature cannot speak for itself so we will speak for it. Our staff of experts will teach others what is happening at the dunes and what all of it means. This will range from celebrating the small victories of a recent restoration project to explaining the implications of a recent environmental event. We will create opportunities for people to connect with the dunes and nearby natural areas through our various communication outlets and programming opportunities. Whether we are talking with new audiences or our greatest fans, Save the Dunes will help others understand what makes the dunes special and the struggles and successes that happen on the Northwest shores of Indiana each day.

intervention. Save the Dunes will continue to be the advocate of the dunes at the local, state, and federal level until these threats are addressed. We will continue to train advocates, including the next generation of conservation leaders, to advocate for the dune’s protection.

Engage with our community.

The Indiana Dunes are a beautiful and majestic destination that we want all audiences to enjoy. Unfortunately, these environmental wonders have not been historically accessible to everyone which is why we are committed to breaking down barriers to those who have not been able or did not know how to access the dunes. This will take on manyvforms. To start, we will support the National Park with their accessibility efforts and engage with our local communities to find out what barriers they need our help removing.

Organizations who share these goals will become even more important partners for us in the years to come. By celebrating the unique perspectives and experiences of everyone, we hope to make the dunes a place that is accessible and welcoming for all.

This vision reflects her commitment to advancing Save the Dunes’s mission; Strengthening partnerships, advocating for lasting protections, elevating the story of the dunes, and engaging communities to create a more inclusive future for this landscape. Together, we will ensure the preservation of the Indiana Dunes and the southern shores of Lake Michigan for generations to come.

To hear more from our Executive Director, watch the January 2026 episode of Northwest Indiana Green Drinks below.