[an error occurred while processing this directive]



 Save the Dunes Council
 Grand Calumet Task Force
 The Nature Conservancy
Natural Areas Registry
Southern Lake Michigan Conservation Initiative
 Shirley Heinze Environmental Fund
LaPorte County Natural Resources League
Amoco
NIPSCO


NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS



 Save the Dunes Council

The Save the Dunes Council was founded in 1952 "to maintain and restore the integrity and quality of the natural environment of the Indiana Dunes region." Current projects and a bimonthly newsletter my be accessed on the Save the Dunes Council homepage.65


Grand Calumet Task Force

The Grand Calumet Task Force is leading an effort to develop a Grand Calumet River Corridor Planning Project. The goal of the project is "through a partnership funding and visioning process, to plan for the revitalization and restoration of the Grand Calumet River Corridor to promote recreation, commercial, industrial, conservation, water quality, cultural, historic and environmental education uses and benefits."66 A local committee has been formed and a contractor has been hired to develop a plan. Bowden Quinn, Executive Director of the Grand Cal Task Force, is the contact for the Corridor Planning Project.


The Nature Conservancy

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a private, scientific, and educational organization. Its mission is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the land and water they need to survive. To date, the Conservancy and its members have been responsible for the protection of more than 7.5 million acres of ecologically sensitive lands in the United States and Canada. The Conservancy has also helped allied organizations to preserve millions of acres in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Some areas acquired by the Conservancy are later transferred for management to other public and private conservation groups. Even so, the Conservancy owns and manages more than 1,300 preserves, constituting the largest private system of nature sanctuaries in the world. The Indiana office of The Nature Conservancy is located at 1330 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. The Southern Lake Michigan Rim field office is located at 2400 New York Avenue, Room 269, Calumet College of St. Joseph, Whiting, Indiana 46394, and can be reached at (219) 473-4312.67


Natural Areas Registry

Protection of natural resource areas by landowners is promoted through the Natural Areas Registry. The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the DNR Division of Nature Preserves, created the registry in 1980 as an alternative to land acquisition for the preservation of natural areas and rare species. From rare species and natural community data provided by the Division of Nature Preserves, The Nature Conservancy's Registry director informs private landowners about their property's significance. Landowners can then enter into a non-binding voluntary agreement with the Conservancy to protect natural resource areas. The Nature Conservancy asks permission to visit the registered area once a year to evaluate any changes over the last year and determine whether any new threats to the area have arisen.68


Southern Lake Michigan Conservation Initiative

The Southern Lake Michigan Conservation

Initiative is operated through The Nature Conservancy to recruit and train volunteers to help restore natural areas in the Calumet Region, including the Area of Concern. These volunteers were estimated to have provided 3,000 hours of habitat restoration work during early 1995 in the Area of Concern.69


Shirley Heinze Environmental Fund

The Shirley Heinze Environmental Fund was established in 1981 when Robert L. and Bette Lou Seidner memorialized Dr. Shirley Heinze, a long-time Ogden Dunes resident. The Seidners established and endowed the Fund as a charitable trust to preserve and protect the Indiana Dunes. The Fund has acquired about 125 acres from about 350 parcels of Northwest Indiana's threatened natural lands, published two books about the Dunes, and led 87 educational hikes. In 1995, the Fund acquired 79 tracts of land. Goals include educating the public concerning the unique environmental and cultural features of the dunes and "advancing clean air and clean water in Northern Indiana." A contact number for the Shirley Heinze Environmental Fund is (219) 879-4725. The Fund can also be contacted at 444 Barker Road, Michigan City, Indiana 46360.70


Friends of Indiana Dunes

Friends of Indiana Dunes was created in the early 1980s to preserve and promote the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the Indiana Dunes State Park. Through financial support and volunteer work, the group sponsors a variety of activities to enhance a clearer understanding and appreciation of the Dunes. The Friends of Indiana Dunes may be contacted at (219) 926-7561.


LaPorte County Natural Resources League

The LaPorte County Natural Resources League was incorporated in April 1996 to protect land throughout LaPorte County. According to League President, Dennis Richardson, "There is a need for a land trust to protect lands in LaPorte County in addition to the Dunes area. The LCNRL was formed to fill that void. Through public education, land donations, conservation easements, and acquisition, we can help protect LaPorte County's important natural heritage." Recently, the League has been working with NIPSCO to develop a management plan to protect rare plant species on the company's property. The League has also been working with landowners on the establishment of conservation easements.71 A contact number for the LaPorte County Natural Resources League is (219) 778-2810.72


Amoco

An example of a private initiative to restore habitat is the Lost Marsh Restoration. Lost Marsh is a ten-acre wetland owned by Amoco and is a remnant of the extensive wetlands complex that once surrounded Lake George in Whiting and Hammond. Amoco employees are leading the effort to restore and enhance Lost Marsh.73


NIPSCO

The NIPSCO Environmental Challenge Fund is a modest grants program designed to support tangible natural resources enhancement projects in northern Indiana. Included within the intent of the program are wetlands creation, prairie restoration, buffer strips, and habitat improvements. A proposed project must directly enhance, protect, or preserve northern Indiana's environment and produce tangible results. Funding is not provided for projects that are largely recreational or educational, for land acquisition, for debris cleanup, or for staffing. Awards may be up to 80% of total budgeted costs. Additional information may be obtained through the Corporate Citizen Department, NIPSCO, 5265 Hohman Avenue, Hammond, IN 46320-1775.74

Main Table of Contents