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Volunteers Needed for Invasive Species Program at Indiana Dunes State Park

May 23, 2011

Indiana Dunes State Park will be conducting an early detection program for invasive plant species this summer. Volunteers are needed to help.

Anyone interested should attend a volunteer open house at the Indiana Dunes Nature Center on Wednesday, June 1, at 6 p.m. (CDT) to learn more about the program.

This program, funded by the Lake Michigan Coastal Program, will seek to identify, quantify, and map invasive plants found within the park. 

“For decades, invasive plants have been one of the largest concerns to park managers,” said Brad Bumgardner, park interpreter. “This concern is not going away. Detecting, identifying, and mapping these species gives us more information on the best way to address these issues.”

Volunteers will learn to identify high-priority invasive plant species and learn how to use the next generation of GPS technology to map invasive species.

Volunteers can schedule their volunteer work to coincide with other activities, such as a hike in the park.

Indiana Dunes Nature Center is located at the north end of U.S. Route 49 in Chesterton. Follow construction detours via Waverly Road to enter the park. Gate entrance fees are waived for volunteers who attend the open house on June 1. 

For more information about this program, call (219) 926-1390.