Save the Dunes Celebrates National Park Week!

Celebrating National Park Week

Honoring the Legacy of Indiana Dunes National Park and Save the Dunes

As we celebrate National Park Week from April 19–27, 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the history of Indiana Dunes National Park and the special relationship Save the Dunes has shared with our national park for more than seven decades.

A Landscape Worth Fighting For

The Indiana Dunes became a national park after decades of tireless advocacy by residents, conservationists, and political leaders who recognized the region’s unique landscape and ecological significance. Protection efforts began in the early 1900’s, notably through the work of botanist Henry Chandler Cowles, whose groundbreaking research in the dunes helped launch the modern field of ecology.

The Birth of Save the Dunes

In 1952, Dorothy Buell, a retired schoolteacher turned passionate conservationist, founded Save the Dunes in response to growing industrial expansion along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. These developments threatened the last remaining stretches of undeveloped dune ecosystems. Buell and a coalition of supporters organized to rally public support and defend this irreplaceable natural treasure.

Decades of Advocacy and Partnership

Save the Dunes played a central role in raising public awareness about the ecological and recreational value of the dunes. Despite powerful opposition from industrial and political interests, the organization persisted—partnering with scientists, citizens, and political allies like Senator Paul Douglas of Illinois, a key champion of dunes preservation.

After over a decade of advocacy, their work culminated in the establishment of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 1966—a major conservation victory for the Midwest. But the fight didn’t end there. Save the Dunes continued to push for greater protection and recognition, supporting multiple park expansion bills and working with Congress to defend the area from pollution and unchecked development.

A National Park—At Last

After a century of grassroots efforts, the long-held dream became a reality in 2019 when Congress passed legislation redesignating the national lakeshore as Indiana Dunes National Park—making it the 61st U.S. national park and Indiana’s first and only. Today, the park spans over 15,000 acres, boasts more than 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, and is home to over 1,100 native plant species across habitats including dunes, wetlands, forests, and prairies.

It is one of the most visited national parks in the country and the #1 tourist destination in Indiana, a testament to both its natural beauty and the success of decades-long advocacy.

Continuing the Legacy

The national park designation has elevated Indiana Dunes’ profile on a national scale—though many in Chicagoland and across the Midwest have long cherished it for its biodiversity, cultural richness, and recreational opportunities.

Over the years, Save the Dunes has supported the park through land acquisition, restoration efforts, and by funding education, outreach, and public access initiatives. In 2025, our 73-year partnership entered an exciting new chapter as Save the Dunes became an official philanthropic partner of Indiana Dunes National Park.

This designation reflects our continued commitment to protect and preserve the dunes for generations to come—and to strengthen our role as a vital partner to the park and the people who love it.

For more information on the history of Save the Dunes and the national park including a timeline with photos please visit https://savedunes.org/history