(Michigan City, IN) - Last week, Save the Dunes brought together representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Todd Young, U.S. Senator Jim Banks, and Congressman Frank Mrvan to tour the Indiana Dunes National Park.

 

The goal of this visit was to showcase the incredible impact that federal investments from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) are having on the health, beauty, and accessibility of our national park.

 

Like many public lands, the Indiana Dunes National Park faces challenges ranging from habitat degradation to deferred maintenance of critical infrastructure, which make bills like GLRI and GAOA extremely important.

 

The pieces of legislation provide resources to restore wetlands, improve water quality, protect wildlife habitats, and invest in much-needed repairs to historic buildings and visitor facilities.

 

During the tour, staff members of the three federal lawmakers were able to see firsthand how these investments are making a difference.

 

“We showcased restored habitats that protect native plant species in critically rare ecosystems, collaborative land management on NIPSCO’s Rights-of-Ways that improve habitat connectivity within our fragmented national park, improved public access on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, and infrastructure updates at historic buildings in the national park which were all made possible with GLRI and GAOA funding,” Save The Dunes stated.

 

Officials with the Michigan City based organization said the tour was especially meaningful because of the bipartisan support behind it.

 

“There is a shared commitment to protecting the Indiana Dunes National Park and preserving our natural and cultural heritage for future generations. Seeing leaders from across the political spectrum come together demonstrates that caring for our parks is a value that unites all Hoosiers,” Save The Dunes officials said.