Indiana Dunes National Park, located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, spans over 15,000 acres of diverse habitats, including beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests. Even though it exists in an urban area, it is one of the top 10 most biodiverse parks in the National Park Service.  The park was established in 1966, but prior to its protection, the lands were significantly altered by humans through land development for farming, housing, and industry. Resource managers take on huge restoration projects to help bring these ecosystems to their natural state and protect them from stressors like invasive species, pollution, and climate change. This unique biodiversity hotspot faces significant challenges from invasive terrestrial species and the impact caused by millions of park visitors each year. Mention Great Marsh?

Resources for the "Great Lakes Odyssey"

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