Each month we will be highlighting various opportunities, events, and notable volunteers. Check out our website, and call or email us for any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you at Indiana Dunes National Park!

in memoriam

RIP Sue Burns

We are deeply saddened to share that long-time Indiana Dunes volunteer and Visitor Center staff member Sue Burns has passed away. Over the last 12 years, Sue volunteered in many areas of the park, including the Douglas Center and Chellberg Farm. She was especially passionate about birds and wildlife and also volunteered for the Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Valparaiso. Sue will be fondly remembered by many.

Volunteer Spotlight 

Tammy Rowe

If you've had a chance to visit Chellberg Farm for the Sunday music on the porch with Save the Tunes, you may have noticed the well-maintained grounds surrounding the house. We're extending a HUGE thank you to volunteer Tammy Rowe for weeding and maintaining the flowerbeds and keeping the Chellberg house surroundings looking beautiful. We appreciate all your hard work, Tammy!

photo of the month

Double Feature!

Not one but TWO of our volunteer photographers captured impressive hummingbird photos last month! We were so blown away by these amazing shots that we just had to show you both. The above shot was captured by Paul Kemiel. Greg Markey snapped the shot below.

Fun fact: Hummingbirds beat their wings 80 times per second! They're also famous for their darting movement, so we know these pictures took patience.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Volunteer Rob Albrecht-Mallinger was recently named the national recipient of the National Park Service’s George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. The George and Helen Hartzog Awards recognize and honor the efforts of exceptional Volunteers In Parks, or VIPs. Rob was nominated and won under the individual category for his leadership work on making The East Branch of the Little Calumet River accessible to the public. We are so proud of Rob and incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated crew of volunteers!

friendly reminder

The deadline to submit your hours for the 2022 fiscal year is rapidly approaching! Please be sure to send any unreported volunteer hours from October 2021- the end of September 2022 to parkconnection@gmail.com no later than Friday, September 30, 2022. Visit this link for a fillable PDF hours tracking sheet or stop by the Volunteer Office on a Wednesday between 9am and 3pm to pick up a hard copyThank you so much for all the time you've given to the park! 

upcoming opportunities

 

9/11 Obstacle Course Race

September 11, 9:30 AM

West Beach


Volunteers are needed to help with trail and obstacle monitoring for the Leon's Heroes Obstacle Course Race at West Beach on Sunday, September 11. 
This event is held in recognition of the September 11, 2001 attacks and commemorates our military and first responders. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Volunteer Program Manager Jim Whitenack at james_whitenack@nps.gov or (219) 395-8832. For more information about the event or to register to run in the race, visit this link.

Turkey Care Volunteer Needed

Monday Mornings

Chellberg Farm

We are looking for a volunteer to feed the Chellberg Farm turkeys on Monday mornings (around 8 am or earlier) now through the end of October. Training will be provided. Please send an email to parkconnection@gmail.com if you're interested and available most Monday mornings. Please note that this volunteer position involves lifting and carrying water buckets and feed containers.

 

Drop-In Volunteering 

September 17, 9 AM - 12 PM

The Park Connection Office
 


Drop-in volunteering provides hassle-free opportunities at Indiana Dunes. With no previous experience or sign-up required, drop-ins are perfect for those with just a few hours of free time or those visiting the dunes for the weekend.

Join us every third Saturday of the month at the Park Connection office (618 N Mineral Springs Rd) at 9 am to complete a two to three hour project. Projects vary by date and season, but can include working with invasive species, land and building restoration, or preparing for special events.

We also have a daily drop-in opportunity called Trash Trekkers, a litter clean up program. Simply check in at the Visitor Center to receive trash bags, then choose from one of our many beaches or hiking trails to collect trash. Visitors are awarded with a free, reusable water bottle for filling up their bags.


National Public Lands Day

September 24, 9 AM - 11 AM

West Beach

 

Join us at West Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park for a National Public Lands Day Beach Cleanup. NEEF's National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. This celebration brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD is also a “Fee-Free Day”—one of only five days a year when entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands.

This event features park partner, Mermaid Straw, along with free iced coffee and other treats from local businesses. Individuals, groups, and organizations of all ages are welcome! Meet at the Mermaid Straw van / tent at West Beach at 9am CST to sign in. Please wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Don't forget sun protection and a reusable water bottle!

BONUS! All volunteers will receive a free Mermaid Straw!


Century of Progress Home Tours

September 24, 8 AM - 4 PM

Indiana Landmarks will be holding their annual Century of Progress Tours on Saturday, September 24, 2022, and there are still volunteer shifts available! The tour will bring hundreds of guests through four historic houses located in Indiana Dunes National Park. The first tour begins at 8am, and the last tour starts at 4pm.The tour route has stairs and some of the opportunities require extensive walking and standing. Some opportunities may be completed sitting or stationary. Please follow this link to sign up as a volunteer.

As a thank you for your volunteer service, you will receive a free tour of the houses on the afternoon of Friday, September 23 as part of the volunteer training held that day. If you cannot attend the training on Friday afternoon, then a call-in training will be arranged and a tour ticket will be provided to you. Background material will also be provided to you to read prior to the training. Attendance at the training is strongly recommended.


photo by Greg Markey

 

October 2, 8:15 AM


Chellberg Farm
 

The Field Station Cooperative Preschool will be having their scenic trail run and walk at Chellberg Farm on Sunday, October 2. This event will have free on-site childcare as well as a Kiddie Fun Run.

The Field Station is seeking volunteers to course marshal, help with water stops, and give general race support. To volunteer, please contact Frenzy@FieldStation.org. For more information about the race or to register as a race participant, please visit this link.

Park Happenings

September Programs

Stop by the Visitor Center on Saturday, September 10 from 7 - 8:30 pm to hear from Kandace and Robert Tabern. In less than ten years since getting married, this ‘always on the go’ couple managed to trek around the country and visit every unit of the National Park Service... all 423 of them! Come listen to them recount the tale of this impressive feat!

See the park's event calendar or Facebook events page for the full schedule of guided hikes, interactive events, and presentations. 

photo by Paul Kemiel

Outdoor Adventure Festival

Spend a weekend in nature at the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival. There will be more than 50 events taking place at Indiana Dunes National Park and other parks and preserves throughout Northwest Indiana. The festival runs from Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11. Take part in hiking, kayaking, biking, geo-caching, photography, birding, and more. There are activities for people of all ages and physical abilities. For the full list of programs, times, and locations visit www.dunesoutdoorfestival.com
Admission fees to Indiana Dunes National Park are waived on September 10 and 11, but other parks or properties may still charge a fee.


photo by Paul Kemiel

What's New With the Friends

Friends of Indiana Dunes logo

The Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. sponsor invaluable educational and recreational opportunities. Since 1982, our mission is: “to enhance and foster understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Indiana Dunes through financial and volunteer support of the National and State Parks as well as the Dunes Learning Center."

FRIENDS of Indiana Dunes and Park Connection had a very rewarding August thanks to the dedication and hard work of our spectacular volunteers. The small Chellberg Farm Stand located at our office is doing well thanks to the volunteers who supply the vegetables. Anyone interested in helping out the FRIENDS, please feel free to leave excess produce from your personal garden at the farm stand as a donation! All monies raised from the Chellberg Farm produce stand will continue to enhance the visitor experience at Chellberg Farm.

On Saturday, August 20 the FRIENDS joined with the National Park to say THANK YOU to you, our fabulous volunteers, by financially supporting the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

Huge congratulations go out to Robert Albrecht-Mallinger, this year’s recipient of the NPS’s George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Ron, a long-time and loyal member of the FRIENDS, was recognized for his efforts and leadership to help make the East Branch of the Little Calumet River accessible to the public. 

On Sunday August 21, the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association presented the FRIENDS with their “Partner of the Year” award in honor of our generous $4000 match for a grant helping expand and maintain the Water Trail on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. This was a double honor for the FRIENDS as our Treasurer, Tracey Stevens, received the “Volunteer of the Year” award.
 

On the weekend of September 10 and 11, the FRIENDS will be staffing several areas at Chellberg Farm Fun, a major component of the Outdoor Adventure Festival.  Stop by for the activities, the music, storytelling and see our newest additions, 2 beef calves, at the Chellberg Farm.

REMINDER:  All Friends of Indiana Dunes members – Any hours donated

on Friends projects that benefit the National Park count as VIP hours.


For more information on our philanthropic organization, visit:

dunefriends.org or facebook.com/friendsofindianadunes.

nEW Virtual Enrichment 

Get involved with the park from the comfort of your own home! Time spent on training DOES count for volunteer hours, so make sure to include it on your monthly hours report. Please note that only the indicated courses issue a certificate upon completion.
Micro-Learning: History of the National Park Service
Learn about the origins of the National Park Service and preserving cultural significance and history with these quick online courses! Micro-learning courses are an excellent way to learn content in quick and focused segments. Each micro-learning course takes about 10 minutes. 

Find Part 1 of this course here.
Find Part 2 of this course
here.
Micro-Learning: Creation of the National Park Service
Learn about the birth of the National Park Service and its early leadership with these quick courses! Micro-learning courses are an excellent way to learn content in quick and focused segments. Each micro-learning course takes about 10 minutes. 

Find Part 1 of this course here.
Find Part 2 of this course
here.
Micro-Learning: The National Park Service Adapting and Reacting to Change
Learn how the National Park Service adapted to a changing world from the late 1920s through World War II with these quick courses! Micro-learning courses are an excellent way to learn content in quick and focused segments. Each micro-learning course takes about 10 minutes. 

Find Part 1 of this course here.
Find Part 2 of this course
here.
Find Part 3 of this course
here.
Leave No Trace Online Awareness Course
This brief course will provide you with a better understanding of recreation-related impacts, the Seven Principles and how Leave No Trace skills and ethics can help protect the outdoor places we love.

Earn Leave No Trace certificate


Find course here.
Trail Safe!
This program is a unique safety training program designed specifically for National Park Service (NPS) Trail Volunteers, but is useful to everyone! It's based upon NPS Operational Leadership Training, where the Human Factor of safety is explored. Trail Safe! captures the core learning objectives of the 16-hour Operational Leadership course while allowing volunteers to learn from their homes online. 

Confirmation email sent upon completion


 Find course here.
Fire Extinguisher Training
National Park Service employees are required to complete annual fire extinguisher training. It's important to knowing how and when to operate an extinguisher, whether you are volunteering at the park or not!

Find course here.

Administration  

We are working hard to restructure and update our database, but we need your help. Please take a brief moment to review these tasks:

1. If your contact information, address, or emergency contact has changed since you were onboarded as a volunteer, please fill out and sign a new
Volunteer Service Agreement and email it to parkconnection@gmail.com.

2. We rely on your feedback to be the best supervisors we can be. If you have suggestions or comments about your volunteering experience, please respond to this
brief survey and send it to Volunteer Program Manager Jim Whitenack at james_whitenack@nps.gov.

3. The park's
resource guide has been updated for 2022 and contains tons of valuable information about the park. Feel free to review it for background on the park's purpose, history, ecology, and more!
Please don't forget to turn in your times monthly to parkconnection@gmail.com.
Time Sheet
Park Alerts & Trail Conditions
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
Website
Copyright © 2022 Indiana Dunes National Park, All rights reserved.


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