ANNUAL REPORT 2019 October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debera Backhus, President Dear Friends and Supporters, David Wright, Vice President “ Learning Center exceeded my expectations Since 1998 Dunes Learning Center has Zully JF Alvarado, Secretary in both facilities and staff. Your team made our trip had the great privilege to operate Abir Clark, Treasurer easy and educationally valuable. The program within Dunes National Park. prioritizes mindfulness and develops an aware- Teresa Massa, Past President ness of how our actions affect the world around us. Thanks to this partnership, our outdoor Alison Anastasio Thanks to the overnight experience, my students classroom spans more than 15,000 Soumita Bandyopadhyay also developed a kinship that prevails in the acres and boasts biodiversity that Patrick Ken Barry classroom today!” ranks seventh out of all 400-plus Lisa Beck National Park units. Students have the opportunity to explore and learn at Bailly Matt Benus Homestead (a National Historic Landmark), Chellberg Farm, and Indiana Dunes State Park (National Natural Landmarks), West Beach, and more. Tyler Botbyl Jeff Edstrom Over the last century, many people fought extremely hard to preserve these natural, Laura Hennessey historic, and cultural treasures along the south shore of . Our founders —Lee Botts, Dale Engquist, and Mark Reshkin—were certainly passionate warriors Chris Hoham who also had the vision to educate the next generation of stewards in the dunes. Victoria Jastrzebski Brian Kortum Young people need to appreciate the natural world, and you make it possible. Zella Olson This year, with your support, hands-on outdoor science programs at Dunes Learning William Payonk Center connected more than 14,000 students with the local environment to Amber Russell investigate the impact of everyday actions. These young people developed skills Maureen Turman to make intelligent, informed decisions and took action to improve natural areas in their communities. Douglas Wassilak Thanks to you, we are making a larger and lasting impact! Lee Botts, President Emeritus Human behavior ranks as the largest threat to the environment, so it’s going to Dale Heinz, Advisory Board take as many of us as possible—working together in areas as varied as education, Kay Nelson, Advisory Board science, technology, engineering, the arts, and public policy—to make a measurable Ken Schoon, Advisory Board difference. Thank you for your commitment to Dunes Learning Center, environmental education, and a world where people and nature thrive.

Geof Benson Zully JF Alvarado Paul Labovitz Executive Director Board Chair Superintendent Dunes Learning Center Dunes Learning Center Indiana Dunes National Park

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO INSPIRE LASTING CURIOSITY AND STEWARDSHIP WITH NATURE SINCE 1998 DUNES LEARNING CENTER’S LIFELONG LEARNING MODEL Environmental Education to Inspire Lasting Curiosity and Stewardship with Nature

Discovery in a National Park: 1, 715 attended a Dunes Learning Center event Public events celebrate the natural world and Free public open houses give students and their families, introduce Citizen Science through guided hikes, as well as the general public, the opportunity to enjoy a water quality investigations, live animal encoun- OPEN HOUSES day outdoors on campus with event sponsorship support. ters, and more.

Outdoor science with stewardship 5,025 participated in a school-year outreach connected to the classroom: program Students explore natural areas, discover how SCHOOL YEAR IN Environmental-STEM programs are delivered free everyday actions impact the environment, and of charge in partnership with school corporations work together to make a difference in their THE COMMUNITY thanks to grant support with major funding provided communities. by ArcelorMittal.

4,429 participated in an overnight program on Team building and personal growth: campus, 51% received scholarship support. Unplugged and immersed in nature, students SCHOOL YEAR & The average free and reduced lunch rate for students and summer campers try new things, learn new receiving support through the scholarship fund was skills, gain confidence, and build a strong team SUMMER CAMPS 74%—well above the Indiana state average of 47%— culture over 3-5 days on campus. while grants reduce the cost of residential programs for all participants.

27 interns were trained to lead programs and Training future leaders: gained interpretation, leadership, classroom Interns receive professional development to management, and public speaking experience. inspire the next generation of environmental INTERNSHIPS Nearly 400 former interns now live and work around stewards and pursue a wide range of career the world as accountants, doctors, fire fighters, lawyers, paths. park rangers, PhD professors, teachers, wildlife managers, and more.

3,369 participated in Nature Nights, STEM Individuals make a difference: events, and workshops with Dunes Learning Continuing education for those who seek CONTINUING sustainable solutions to protect the environ- Center ment, strengthen our communities, and foster A wide range of educational programs are delivered prosperity. EDUCATION on campus and in the community thanks to grants and event sponsorships.

Education Partner of Indiana Dunes National Park 4 5 NATURALIST INTERN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Recent college graduates put their education into practice, develop leadership skills, and gain a competitive advantage for future opportunities. With more than 5 weeks of training and professional development to lead programs on campus, interns work alongside professional role models who provide guidance, feedback, and support.

2018-2019 BY THE NUMBERS

Total Participants 14,565 Internships 27 Students 8,075 Teachers 277 Chaperones 658 Summer Camp 444 Conmmunity Outreach/Events 5,084 Hours Outdoors 112,394 Learner Days 22,195 Nights in a National Park 10,338 Read about the impact of this experience on our blog at Meals Served 33,309 DunesLearningCenter.org/blog Stewardship Hours 7,976 7 A DUNES AFFAIR The annual gala was a wonderful celebration! Over 200 people generously supported a “paddle raise” with a matching grant from BP America as well as silent and live auctions to benefit the scholarship program.

SUMMER CAMP WALK THROUGH TIME The 2019 Summer Camp season was water Time travel has been a part of the Frog in the themed. Each week, campers enjoyed a scenic Bog program since the beginning. Students boat cruise on Lake Michigan with Harbor spend the afternoon hiking to Bailly Homestead Country Adventures, thanks to a grant from and Chellberg Farm, encountering previous Indiana American Water. “inhabitants” of this region along the way. This year, with help from South Shore Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, and National Endow- ment for the Arts, we were able to upgrade the Green Apple Award winner Ken Schoon authenticity of some of our props and costumes. spoke about the history and importance of Dunes Learning Center as the premier environmental education center in the area. “Environmental education is really important. It puts together what you learn in other science classes […] with your own life. Students begin to under- stand they are part of nature.”

ENDOWMENT FUND In honor of the foresight of our founders, the board of directors is proud to establish the Founders’ Fund. This endowment fund will support all aspects of Dunes Learning Center operations. Sadly, over the past three years, Dunes Learning Center has lost all three of its founders–Dale Engquist (2017), CITIZEN SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM Mark Reshkin (2018), and Lee Botts (2019). This fund The first Citizen Science Symposium was a huge success, with nearly 300 middle school will ensure their legacy–for Dunes Learning Center to students in attendance. This day-long program was for participants of the new Citizen inspire lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature Science program, which gets students into their communities, collecting data to contribute as the premier provider of outdoor environmental to ongoing scientific studies. Major funding for this pilot program came from the Legacy education programs in our region. Foundation Women’s Philanthropy Fund. 8 9 2019 FINANCIALS Year ended September 30, 2019 to the many generous supporters who contributed to Dunes Learning Center between October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. Your Operating Revenue and Support donations help fund our outdoor science education programs, and we Tuition and Fees $420,751 Operating Funding $160,000 are tremendously grateful for your support. Grants (Program/Education Support) $387,921 PROGRAM SUPPORT Individual/Sponsorship Support $293,890 Endowment Investment Income (Scholarships) $5,310 $100,000+ $2,500-$4,999 ArcelorMittal ^ Cargill $1,267,872 National Park Service Dunes National Park Association Friends of the River Expenses $25,000-$49,999 Indiana American Water Alphawood Foundation Chicago National Park Foundation Educational Programs $963,249 Flora Richardson Foundation General and Administrative $290,945 Foundations of East Chicago Under $2,500 Legacy Foundation Chesterton Tri Kappa Chapter Fundraising $85,346 Crown Point High School $1,233,878 $10,000-$24,999 Google Inc.^ BP America Indiana Environmental Health, NW Chapter Special Projects Income and Expenses Covanta Environmental Solutions Izaak Walton League of America- Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. Porter County Chapter National Park Service Special Projects $33,961 John W. Anderson Foundation Kauffman Chiropractic NPS Habitat Restoration Partnership $103,993 NIPSCO^ NiSource Charitable Foundation National Oceanic and Atmospheric North Central Association for Science Administration/Indiana Department Teacher Education NPS In-Kind (Facilities and Service) $237,000 of Natural Resources/Lake Michigan Ogden Dunes Women’s Club Coastal Program Endowment Assets, held at Community Foundations $244,804 Portage Zeta Mu - Tri Kappa Porter County Community Foundation Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Sunnybrook Foundation $5,000-$9,999 The IN Coast LLC Operating Revenue & Support Expenses Unity Foundation of LaPorte County Dr. Scholl Foundation Urschel Laboratories 33% Herman and Katherine Peters Foundation 72% Valparaiso Sunrise Kiwanis South Shore Arts/Indiana Arts Commission/National Vertex Foundation^ Endowment for the Arts Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mission Giving

0.4%

Tuition and Fees EVENT SPONSORS NPS Operating Funding 13% Educational Programs Platinum Bronze A Dunes Affair Grants General & Administrative ArcelorMittal Enbridge 1st Source Bank Franklin Pest Solutions Monica Conrad, Lewis Kappes Individual/Sponsorship Fundraising Silver Friends of Indiana Dunes Indiana American Water Co. 23% Endowment Investment BP America Mark J. Mihalo Family Dentistry Indiana University Northwest Income Lakeshore Public Media Pratt Industries Journeyman Distillery NIPSCO Wickcraft Boardwalks NIPSCO Purdue University Northwest Sophia Stratton & Rick Novak 6% Thorgren Tool & Molding 31% 22% ^ indicates Matching Gift Company 10 11 INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Lake Michigan Circle: Butterfly Circle: Lee Botts $10,000+ $500-$999 Patricia Boy Cynthia and Walter Breitinger ANNUAL GIVING SOCIETY Susan Eleuterio and Tom Sourlis Ann and Mike Anastasio Patricia Carlisle Carolyn and Patrick Gorman Sue and Andy Arnold Dolores Connolly and Dan Casey Erica Battin Rebecca Crall and Eric Neagu Lisa and Vernon Beck Greg Crowley Dunes Circle: Matthew Benus At the end of 2018, we introduced a new way to recognize our leadership $5,000-$9,999 Sue and Mark Dutler Dana Brad and Mark Liszkiewicz Jeff Edstrom donors: the Annual Giving Society. Through the giving circles, donors Monica Conrad and Chris Hoham Margaret and James Brault Rosanna and Donald Elder Maureen DeCenzo and who are passionate about Dunes Learning Center and outdoor science Ari Levy Jo Ann Engquist Timothy Raykovich, MD John Fulghum Kathy Fischer and Edward Kleese education enjoy special recognition, updates on programs, and social Sophia Stratton and Rick Novak Patricia and Lawrence Fabina Susan Fischer and David Nisius Carl Franklin Michael Ganz opportunities. For more information or to join, please contact us or visit Emily and Brett Furuness Mari and Doug Hahn Angel and Cliff Goins Owl Circle: Karen and Bill Higbie Jenny and John Golba DunesLearningCenter.org/giving-society. $2,500-$4,999 Julia Hoham Elizabeth Greenwald and Connie and Mike Jeha Debbie and John Mengel Tom Boldt Bob Kerr Susan and Mark Mihalo Philip Hahn Michelle and David Krueger Joan Solbeck Kristina and Jayson Hemphill Jill Landers Julie Walsh Doran and Donna Howell and Charles Welter Gunnbjorg Lavoll and James Doran Sue and Paul Labovitz Robert Edger Cecelia Largura Ashley LeBlanc Jennifer and Daniel Lehnerer Donna and Greg Lind Frog Circle: Michael McCready Susan Loeb and Larry Stanton $1,000-$2,499 Jeannette and Frank Melcic Mary and Howard Marvel Kelly Nissan and Ken Budge Angela Maurello Alison Anastasio and Heidi Ann Nordbrock and Amy and Jeffrey McCormack Robert Shymanski Rima Krutulis Heather McCowen and Paul Botts Debera Backhus Zella and Roy Olson Constance McKeague Peggy and Rex Blackwell Jolice Pojeta Paddy McNamara Adriane and Robert Blaesing Marilou and Christopher Powers Natalie Miller and Derek Braggs Valerie Blumenfeld Nina and Tyler Preall Myrna Newgent Jennifer Friedes and Alison Quackenbush Michael Petrucci Steven Florsheim Robert Rivers Gail and Derrick Puckett Mary Fulghum and Geof Benson Tammy Foxe-Rowe and Sarah Reed Laura and Jay Hennessey Bruce Rowe Maggie Rice and Jim Morsch Carol and Lawrence Levy Maureen and Bill Sammon Jean Rudd Nancy Moldenhauer and Jasmina Sisirak and James Ruge and Roy Krizek Sharlene Livesay Sanjeev Misra Cynthia Sausman Kay and Craig Nelson Janice and Timothy Sullivan Peg and Kenneth Schoon Terry and William Payonk Tyler Thorgren Anya Schoss Leesa and Bruce Quade Suzy Vance and Tim Griffin Michelle and Jim Senderhauf Caryl Schratz Annette and Robert Young Patricia and Michael Shymanski Maureen Turman and Kathleen and John Slamkowski John Bernbom Candice Smith and Adam Peterson Acorn Circle: Heather Hahn Sullivan and $250-$499 Lon Sullivan Laura and Danny Susko Maryanne Ackerman Kim Swift Zully JF Alvarado and Sally and Joseph Van Bokkelen Jonathan Silber Johanna and Bill Welter Catherine and Calvin Bellamy John White Naomi Bloomer Shari Zolner and Mark Schneider Beth Botts 12 13 INDIVIDUAL DONORS IN-KIND GIFTS $100-$249 Julie and Mark Fisher Matrona Malik 18th Street Brewery East Wind Studios Dan Plath Nancy and Russ Adams Louise and William Foy Anita Marshall 54 Main Bistro Restaurant Robert Edger Michelle Price Deb and Drew Armstrong Murri and Matt Franklin Teresa Massa Acton Creative Erdelac Land Management LLC Queen of All Treats Juliann and James Babb Allan Gabriele Peg and Donald Mohar Albano’s Pasta Anthony Escobedo Beth Rutherford and Rafi Wilkinson Sarah and Steven Barnes Susan and Gary Garrett Donna Norkus and Bill Taylor Emily Allen Fish Camp Sage Danielle Barnett Judith Gaskell Debra Okray Anderson’s Winery Fresh Trees LLC Sandpaper Patti and Tom Barnett Rosemary Gemperle and Heather Klein Olson Arc’teryx Chicago Furin Japanese Restaurant & Bar Santiago’s Lara Bates Larry Jensen Edward Osann Deb Armstrong Jaime Golba Lorene Schaudt Lisa and Vernon Beck Margaret and David Gough Roz Potter Art Barn School of Art, Inc. Canaan Gootee Ken Schoon Constance Blade and Ron Levitsky Glenn Gunter Rebecca Presson Art From Elements Annette Hansen Sheep’s Clothing Linda and Russell Blomquist Theresa Hahn David and Deborah Pruis Deb Backhus Harbor Country Adventures Joan Solbeck Ann and David Bochnowski Lois Hemphill Betsy and John Quail Bass Pro Shops Historic Pullman Foundation South Shore Brass Band Terence Bonace and Larry Boehlke Samantha and Stephen Holcomb Jude and Alex Rakowski Geof Benson Chris Hoham South Shore Oven Works Katy and Tyler Botbyl Rachel Hulslander and Kyle Nelson Steve Rodriguez Matt Benus Indiana Beverage Jan Sullivan Alan Botts Andrea Huntington and Mickey Rea Mary Schick Marjilee Blackwell Journeyman Distillery Heather Hahn Sullivan Ralph Box Adele and James Ilijanich Gail and Wayne Schimpff Tiffany Bley Keramida Inc. Suzy Vance LLC Diane Brown Natalie Johnson Tracey Stevens Blue Man Group John Kramer The Bait Shop Tamara Browne Teresa Kempfer Yvonne Stokes Blue Point Oyster & Sushi Bar Michelle Krueger The IN Coast Richard Cains Marie and Larry Kirchner Betty Strack and Greg Mueller Janis Boldenow L Salon Third Coast Spice Cafe Michael Cane Patti and Gregory Lais James Sweeney Tyler Botbyl Paul Labovitz Three Moons Fiberworks Dorreen and William Carey Lynda Lancaster and Ed Ryscuck Troy Tweiten Brightside Music LaPorte County Health Department Maureen Turman and Natalie Conlon Karren and Patrick Lee Douglas Wassilak Caryn Brown Lifestyles John Bernbom Elise Daxe and Alex Demkovich Veronica and Barry Levine Elizabeth and Richard Whitney Diane Brown Jim Louderman Union League Club of Chicago Sheila Demkovich MJ Loftus Marta and Doug Wolfe Bun’s Soapbox Jane Lump Kim Vander Vinne Karen DeVries Jane Lump Amy Workman Patricia Carlisle Lyric Opera of Chicago Wilderness Inquiry Joyce Drake Mary Lutz and Emeric Martin Carmel and David Wright Chesterton Art Center Memorial Opera House Kyle Wilson Heather Dull Joan and Jon Machuca Lissa and Thomas Yogan Chesterton Feed and Garden Kay Nelson Karen Wilson Don Quijote New Oberpfalz Brewing Marta Wolfe Duneland Family YMCA Nomad Breadth Duneland Styles Opportunity Enterprises Dunes Learning Center Orbis Environmental Consulting Kitchen Staff Bill Payonk EDUCATION PARTNERS In Memory of Gloria Daxe Nancy and Russ Adams Alliance for the Great Lakes Great Lakes Research & Waters Partnership Alpha Delta Kappa Educational Sorority ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor Education Center Northwestern Indiana Regional In Memory of Dale Engquist ArcelorMittal Global Research Annette Hansen Planning Commission of Valparaiso Judith Gaskell & Development Harbor Country Adventures Purdue University/Purdue Sheila Demkovich Nancy Moldenhauer and Sharlene Livesay Boy Scout Troop 929 Humane Indiana Wildlife University Northwest Glenn Gunter Boys & Girls Club of NWI Indiana Audubon Society Purdue University Cooperative Janet Jones In Memory of John McKeague Cedar Lake Historical Association Indiana Dunes National Park Extension Service Kitty Pullins Constance McKeague Challenger Learning Center Indiana Dunes State Park Save the Dunes Robin Tenant Chicago Public Schools Indiana Dunes Tourism Shirley Heinze Land Trust In Memory of Charlotte Read City of Gary Indiana University/Indiana Student Conservation Association In Memory of Dave Fulford Izaak Walton League of America – Porter City of Hammond University Northwest Town of Chesterton Rebecca Presson County Chapter City of Hobart Sue Labovitz Town of Porter City of Lake Station Lakeshore Public Media US Forest Service City of Portage National Park Service US Geological Survey Discovery Trackers 4-H Club The Nature Conservancy Virginia Tech & Clemson University The Field Museum NIPSCO Environmental Westville FFA Thanks to funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Friends of Indiana Dunes Action Team Wilder Family Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Lake Michigan Coastal Program, Friends of the Chicago River Paddling Wilderness Inquiry we had the opportunity to work with our education partners to publish a guide Gabis Arboretum Association Wildlife Habitat Council for teachers and group leaders. “Educational Adventures in the Dunes” is at Purdue University Northwest Northwest Indiana Urban Kyle Wilson and Family

available online at DunesLearningCenter.org/resources. Dunes Learning Center is deeply grateful to all of its donors. If your name was inadvertently omitted or incorrectly listed, please accept our apologies, and contact us at 219-395-9555 or [email protected] so that we may correct it in the future. 14 15 “I THINK WHAT WE NEED IS MORE GOATS.”

Instant celebrities on campus, Thelma and Louise made the move from Chellberg Farm to Dunes Learning Center last summer. The goats, who are half-sisters on loan from hobby farmer, National Park Service volunteer, and ArcelorMittal employee Kyle Wilson, worked to remove bittersweet, multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, and garlic mustard from a quarter- acre enclosure as part of the National Park Service’s ongoing restoration project. The experiment was a success beyond the use of goats to naturally control invasive species. “They were good company, and they taught kids to be good stewards of the land,” executive director Geof Benson said. Along with outdoor classrooms that demonstrate the long-term benefits of locally-grown produce, rain gardens, native landscaping, and pollinators, Dunes Learning Center strives to lead by example using all renewable energy to power campus, solar energy to light storage areas, and clean energy to fuel buses while also minimizing food waste during meals and supplying hot water on-demand for campers.

Education Partner of 700 Howe Road • Chesterton, IN 46304 Indiana Dunes National Park DunesLearningCenter.org • 219-395-9555