Celebrate National Park Week at National Lakeshore - 2016

Date: April 13, 2016

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE– Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 50^th anniversary with several special events and programs during National Park Week,April 16 through 24.

Kick off the week by joining a ranger at the park’s Heron Rookery onApril 16, for a volunteer stewardship activity in the morning followed by a wildflower walk in the afternoon. From9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., join park staff to help remove invasive species along the trail that threaten the native wildflowers. After a morning of work, take a leisurely hike from1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.and enjoy the beautiful display of spring wildflowers along the Heron Rookery Trail. You don’t have to help in the morning to take part in the hike. Everyone is welcome.

Meet Smokey Bear and the national lakeshore’s Wildland Fire Team at the Porter County Earth Day Celebration onApril 16, from9:00 am – 4:00 pmat the Porter County Expo Center. Learn about the importance of using small, controlled burns in maintaining both the health of the park and the safety of park neighbors. The kids can earn a Junior Firefighter badge by completed some fun activities at this free event.

On Saturday evening,April 16, at6:00 pm, join famed dunes photographer David Larson at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center for his program, “50 Years of Photography in the Indiana Dunes.” Larson’s photographs capture the changing nature of the landscape through the years and include dunes like Howling Hill that are now just memories.

Wrapping up National Park Week is the annual Green Gary celebration on Saturday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This fun, family-friendly event takes place at the national lakeshore’s Paul H. Douglas Center and is presented in partnership with over 20 organizations. In addition to ranger-led hikes and lots of activities, catch the in-park premiere of “Shifting Sands” a film produced by local environmentalist Lee Botts. After the film, join a panel discussion with Botts, park superintendent Paul Labovitz and others.

National Park Week is a great opportunity to explore the countless ways there are to #FindYourPark. Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s 50^th anniversary, the Find Your Park program invites people to discover and share their own stories and unique connections to our nation's national parks. Visit FindYourPark.com to learn more and share your stories. For more information about the national lakeshore,contact the park’s information desk at 219-395-1882 or check its website at www.nps.gov/indu.