Annual Report 2020

October 1, 2019-September 30, 2020

Dear Friends,

On behalf of everyone at Dunes Learning Center, we want to thank you for all you did in 2020 to help us provide children with opportunities to learn, explore, and grow outdoors - regardless of their race, ethnicity, or zip code. 

The events of the past year have certainly shined a spotlight on the importance of getting outdoors for physical and emotional health. Yet many parents harbor fears about allowing their children to be outdoors on their own. This is especially the case in low-income communities that bear a much heavier pollution burden than others. 

Environmental justice continues to be an important part of the struggle to improve and maintain a clean and healthful environment, especially for the young people who live, learn, and play closest to the sources of pollution. 

With a focus on the unique ecology and cultural history of our region, the lifelong learning model at Dunes Learning Center grows student connections with the natural world over time. Need-based scholarships for residential programs and free outreach programs ensure all students have the opportunity to get outdoors for physical and emotional health, to learn about nature in nature, and to work together to restore and protect the Lake Michigan watershed.

Since last March, Dunes Learning Center has been working closely with teachers and parents to meet their changing needs. We brought green time to screen time. Adaptable programs aligned with grade-level standards now bridge the gap for young people who would otherwise miss out on the real-world connections.

The vibrancy of nature, the calming benefits of being outdoors, and a wide range of programs taught by professionally-trained naturalist educators consistently earn Dunes Learning Center high praise. While we don’t know what the coming year will hold, we have hit the ground running thanks to supporters like you! 

With deep appreciation,

Two Fellowships made a big impact!
This new opportunity within the current Intern program invites community partners to invest in the future. Fellows prepare to be successful professionals and civic leaders during a full year of training, development, and program leadership. Passionate about educating kids on how truly unique the Indiana Dunes are with its biodiversity and the importance of spending time outdoors, Nate and Kayla worked closely with the permanent education team to reimagine quality environmental education programs as learning moved from school to home and back again.

Thanks to 1st Source Foundation and Keramida for Fellowship support.

Prior to the pandemic, Dunes Learning Center was on track to serve more than 15,000 students. Frog in the Bog, Winter in the Dunes and other overnight programs on campus were once again nearly booked to capacity for the 2020-21 school year. Outreach education was also operating near full capacity.  In October, 4400 students and teachers had the great opportunity to work together and paddle 24’ Voyageur canoes while learning about the Lake Michigan watershed and making a difference in their communities. More than 5000 participated in a multi-experience, STEM-strong program with Dunes Learning Center.

Thanks to Alphawood Foundation Chicago, ArcelorMittal, Friends of Indiana Dunes, Foundations of East Chicago, John W Anderson Foundation, Lake Michigan Coastal Program / Indiana Department of Natural Resources / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, South Shore Arts / Indiana Arts Commission / National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donors for program and scholarship support.

Adaptable school-year programs were created in partnership with teachers. The outreach education team worked closely with teachers to complete their spring program experiences with dedicated classroom websites, short video lessons (live and pre-recorded), virtual conversations on lesson topics (i.e. Zoom with a Naturalist), as well as short assignments and quizzes with integrated reporting for teachers.

Thanks to the COVID response funds of the Legacy Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund, National Park Foundation, National Park Service, NIPSCO Environmental Action grant, and individual donors for general operating and program support.

NAT “Nature Activity Time” Kits delivered summer camp fun in a box to registered campers. Loaded with a full-week’s worth of activities to get kids outside exploring the world around them, NAT Kits were bird and bug themed.  Campers received tote bags loaded with tools for outdoor discovery plus video challenges, experiments, and fun activities to do online with their trail group leaders. 

Financial Highlights

Thank you to the many generous supporters who contributed to Dunes Learning Center between October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. Your donations help fund our outdoor science education programs, and we are tremendously grateful for your support.

A Dunes Affair: In this not so typical year, the annual fall gala moved online – for an entire week! New videos debuted each day, and board members hosted virtual parties with their gala guests. Thanks to matching contribution pledges from Susan Eleuterio and Tom Sourlis plus the BP America Foundation, support for this important fundraising event exceeded expectations. Thanks to all who participated and gave generously!

Check out all of the gala videos HERE >

Dunes Learning Center shined as a national leader in the environmental education field. During the biannual Association of Nature Center Administrators Residential Environmental Learning Center Summit, staff (first timers to this event) facilitated 5 of the 25 sessions.