Lake Michigan’s Indiana Dunes saw almost 3 million visitors throughout its 15,000 acres of sand dunes, woodlands, prairies and wetlands in 2022 alone. It is a beloved place for birders and bikers alike with a reputation as one of the most biologically diverse parks in the country.

Nearby communities rely on Indiana Dunes for beach days and quality time with family along the shore. In the summers, beachgoers can enjoy a sunset stroll. In the frosty winters, they can witness the unparalleled beauty of Lake Michigan. The park, known for its rare ecosystems and towering sand dunes, is not immune to the challenges from industrial activity and transportation in areas near and far.

Indiana Dunes’ air pollution stems from industrial sources both in and out of state, mainly coal-fired power plants and other industrial facilities like steel mills, creating concerns for the park’s delicate ecosystems. As reflected in our report, pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter can compromise air quality, affecting the health of plants, wildlife and visitors alike. Airborne contaminants can harm the park’s vegetation, water bodies and soil. Additionally, Indiana Dunes’ unique dune grasses and rare plant species may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, which in turn disrupt the ecosystems and wildlife in the park.

Our Polluted Parks analysis finds that Indiana Dunes National Park is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of air pollution in the Harm to Nature and Unhealthy Air categories and for climate threats, invasive species are the biggest concern. For instance, the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle, has rapidly spread throughout the park, causing severe damage to the native ash tree population.

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NPCA continues to raise awareness about the importance of curbing air pollution for the preservation of the dunes’ natural beauty, local communities and visitors who travel great distances to witness them. Because Indiana failed to develop a strong plan to protect its wilderness areas and national parks from haze pollution, this park continues to face the risks of degraded vistas and harm to nature and human health. The preservation of this unique place could not be more urgent today as advocates continue to alert decisionmakers of environmental damage and the need to acknowledge environmental justice as a key issue. In fact, Indiana Dunes only stands because people have used their voices to protect it from industry operations. Join us in urging EPA to hold Indiana accountable in 2024 for a strong regional haze plan to cut pollution from park-harming facilities.

Air & Climate Report Polluted Parks National parks are home to some of America’s most iconic landscapes and best-preserved cultural and historic sites, and these places need clean air and a healthy climate to flourish. Yet air pollution and climate change remain some of the most serious threats to the health of our parks today — and the problems they cause include weakening the health of plants and animals, permanently harming ecosystems and negatively affecting visitors’ health and enjoyment. NPCA advocates for swift action to curb air pollution and limit climate threats affecting people and parks. This report offers an update from our 2019 Polluted Parks report with new data that shows modest improvements. Most importantly, the report demonstrates that we must act now to ensure parks thrive for generations to come.

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