Indiana Dunes
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore www.nps.gov/indu
Partners for Conservation
Many people would like to help protect park resources and ask “what can we do?” “Partner with the National Park Service” is one important answer. We welcome partnerships with individuals, organizations, State and local governments, and others who share our commitment to protect park resources and values. Through partnerships, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has received valuable assistance in habitat restoration, environmental education, and other conservation activities. We look to build upon these successes through informal partnerships, where individuals or groups assist with a project led by the National Lakeshore.
Why partner?
Benefits All Americans
The primary mission of the National Park Service is to conserve, unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations, the resources and values of our parks. The National Lakeshore contains exceptional biological diversity, as evidenced by three separate National Natural Landmarks. The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. Partners see that their contributions result in significant on-the-ground conservation actions. Partners contribute directly towards additional park conservation activities.
This precarious balance of diversity requires active management to be maintained in the face of significant threats such as invasive species, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and major habitat alterations. Partners help us address these challenges and help to conserve the rich biological legacy for future generations of Americans. By helping a nationally significant resource, like the National Lakeshore, partners know the project will be given high priority support over the long term. A partner’s contribution, such as volunteer labor, can be assigned a value in order to apply for matching dollars. Partnerships also help generate interest in a project, which can bring other partners and resources together. Partners may also prefer that contributions not receive publicity.
See On-theGround Results
Build on Partner Partner’s contributions are often the spark to Contributions launching a new natural resource management project. Many grant programs encourage partnerships by offering to match the partner’s contributions with additional new funding. Recognition of Partners The National Lakeshore takes pride in recognizing our partner’s contributions. We can acknowledge the contributions of partners through our outreach efforts with some limitations (e.g., not making endorsements).
Drawing by Ruth Bicknese
What are some potential projects?
Control Invasive Plant Species The greatest threat to the biodiversity of the National Lakeshore is invasive plants, which are taking over native plant communities. About 40 invasive plant species are now significant threats and 56 more are potential future threats. We must control invasive plants to protect our remaining native species. Bring Back Tallgrass Prairie We are restoring Mnoké Prairie (Potawatomi for “pretty place”). Less than 1% of Indiana’s original tall-grass prairie remains. Nearly lost to farming, Mnoké Prairie is being returned to a home for grassland birds and wildflowers. Planting native vegetation and removing brush is needed.
Save Threatened Wetlands At one time, the lands included in the park were home to thousands of acres of healthy wetlands. Draining, filling, and other landuses have significantly reduced and weakened this important natural system for protecting Lake Michigan. Multiple wetland restoration projects are urgently needed. Restore Endangered Butterfly Habitat The endangered Karner blue butterfly’s survival depends upon oak savanna habitat. Unfortunately, the few remaining oak savannas will quickly disappear without active management. Habitat enhancement projects are needed to control weedy trees overrunning this rare species home.
What can How partners will help with a project depends upon their interests, skills, and resources. In partners do? order for the National Lakeshore to effectively build upon a partner’s proposed contribution
(e.g., seek matching support), a letter or other information describing the partner’s willingness to help may be requested. Partner contributions may be any size. Some typical partner contributions:
Volunteer time Partners volunteer to work on a natural resource project. All volunteer help is welcome and no specific experience is required. Especially helpful are partners willing to bring together coordinated volunteer efforts. For example, partners that are able to locate volunteers, coordinate schedules, and provide organizational leadership on behalf of the project volunteers. For some projects, it may be possible for volunteers, once trained and adequately supervised, to work independently on a specific project. Provide Project Supplies Partners can contribute supplies or equipment needed to implement a project. For example, a project that involves restoring a native prairie may require greenhouse supplies (trays, potting soil, etc.) to allow the propagation of native plants as well as supplies for planting such as gloves, trowels, etc. Assist with Funding Partners can contribute funding for a project. Funds can be donated to the National Lakeshore directly for a specific project or given through the National Park Foundation. Congress chartered the National Park Foundation in 1967 to raise private support for National Parks and to build a broad community of people who care about their parks.
Need More If you are interested in partnering with the National Information? Lakeshore’s Resource Management program, or simply would
like more information, please call at 219-926-7561 ext. 335 or e-mail to Scott_Hicks@nps.gov. You may also send correspondence to: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 1100 N. Mineral Springs Rd. Porter, IN 46304-1299