Indiana Dunes National Park on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northwestern Indiana protects 15,349 acres of dunes, wetlands, prairies, rivers, and forests. The park's origins trace to the early 20th-century conservation campaign led by botanist Henry Cowles, whose groundbreaking studies of plant succession on the Indiana dunes helped establish the modern science of ecology. Despite being surrounded by one of the most heavily industrialized regions in North America, the park supports remarkable biodiversity — over 1,100 native plant species, the fourth-highest count of any national park unit. Originally designated as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 1966, it was redesignated as a national park in 2019.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →Indiana Dunes National Park in IN is one of hundreds of National Park Service sites where interpretive content has been flagged under Secretary's Order 3431. This directive requires parks to review materials that could be considered negative about past or living Americans — a standard that threatens the factual historical record these sites were created to preserve.
Why this matters: Indiana Dunes National Park is one of 466+ National Park Service sites where historically accurate interpretive content has been flagged under Secretary's Order 3431. Over 300 million people visit national parks each year. For many — especially schoolchildren — these visits are their first and deepest encounter with American history.
Indiana Dunes National Park in IN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The interpretive materials at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “We have developed original content for each wayside exhibit and can make revisions based on your recommendations. The content for review has been highlighted for your convenience. The majority of the content focuses on dune preservation and highlights the efforts of individuals dedicated to protecting the dunes from development. Additionally, some exhibits discuss the erosion caused by man-made st...”
Why this matters: The environmental changes documented at Indiana Dunes National Park are based on decades of scientific observation and measurement. Visitors can see these changes with their own eyes. Removing references to documented science from interpretive materials doesn't reverse the changes — it only leaves visitors without the information they need to understand what they're witnessing.
We have developed original content for each wayside exhibit and can make revisions based on your recommendations. The content for review has been highlighted for your convenience. The majority of the content focuses on dune preservation and highlights the efforts of individuals dedicated to protecting the dunes from development. Additionally, some exhibits discuss the erosion caused by man-made structures as opposed to natural processes. Recommend review and preferred course of action if needed.
Indiana Dunes National Park in IN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The interpretive materials at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “The submitted files include trail panels for the Great Marsh and Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk. The Great Marsh panel describes the history of the marsh, which was originally drained for agricultural purposes. In contrast, the Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk panel discusses the restoration of a former industrial site into a vibrant habitat. Please let us know if any changes are needed.”
Why this matters: Indiana Dunes National Park is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
The submitted files include trail panels for the Great Marsh and Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk. The Great Marsh panel describes the history of the marsh, which was originally drained for agricultural purposes. In contrast, the Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk panel discusses the restoration of a former industrial site into a vibrant habitat. Please let us know if any changes are needed.
Indiana Dunes National Park in IN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “These document serves as a paper trail map for the Great Marsh and the West Beach Trails, detailing how the marsh was initially drained for development and subsequently restored to pre-industrial conditions, resulting in the resurgence of local wildlife. The West Beach Trail map describe sand mining and sent away for industrial use.”
Why this matters: Indiana Dunes National Park is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
These document serves as a paper trail map for the Great Marsh and the West Beach Trails, detailing how the marsh was initially drained for development and subsequently restored to pre-industrial conditions, resulting in the resurgence of local wildlife. The West Beach Trail map describe sand mining and sent away for industrial use.
The text in question is highlighted in the digital file for your convenience.
Please advise whether to keep the content as is or to implement changes. Please note that thes publications will not be reprinted, as a new versions have already been and is currently in circulation with different text. The remaining copies, which total a few hundred, will be held until further notice.
Long before Indiana Dunes National Park became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.
From the internal review records: “The Dorothy Buell Plaque is displayed in the visitor center. She was an American educator and nature preservationist who became the founder and first president of the Save the Dunes Council, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the Indiana dunelands along Lake Michigan. Buell led a grassroots effort to save the remaining unspoiled dunes in northwestern Indiana from industrial development. The...”
Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Indiana Dunes National Park was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.
The Dorothy Buell Plaque is displayed in the visitor center. She was an American educator and nature preservationist who became the founder and first president of the Save the Dunes Council, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the Indiana dunelands along Lake Michigan. Buell led a grassroots effort to save the remaining unspoiled dunes in northwestern Indiana from industrial development. The effort to save the dunes, which is now the Indiana Dunes National Park is an important part of history. To error on the side of caution, I am submitting this for review.
Long before Indiana Dunes National Park became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.
From the internal review records: “The coexistence of industry and restoration, along with the efforts of citizens to protect the dunes, represents a significant aspect of Indiana Dunes history. Currently, we share the narrative of how these two elements coexist, providing valuable lessons learned from the past.”
Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Indiana Dunes National Park was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.
This bulletin case was created by seasonal park guides and is updated with new information on a quarterly basis. The current exhibit text is highlighted for your review. Please advise whether to retain the existing content or rotate it with new materials.
The coexistence of industry and restoration, along with the efforts of citizens to protect the dunes, represents a significant aspect of Indiana Dunes history. Currently, we share the narrative of how these two elements coexist, providing valuable lessons learned from the past.
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