Chronological Environmental Monitoring at Indiana Dunes

The Paul H. Douglas Trail at Miller Woods is home to diverse habitats, including black oak savannas, wetlands, dunes, beaches, and interdunal ponds. This large diversity of habitats is what allows for the growth and abundance of over 400 native plants! Colorful wildflowers bloom throughout the spring and summer, providing a food source for butterflies, birds, and mammals alike.

Located about a half-mile from the trailhead, this photo station documents one of Miller Woods' wetland habitats. This wetland was recently invaded by non-natives grasses, which inhibit the growth of native plants. Prescribed burns and management efforts are being utilized to eliminate these invasive species. Over time, this time lapse will allow us to monitor the elimination of invasive plants and the subsequent replacement with native plants and animals.

Watch the time lapse of Miller Woods  here .

The Cowles Bog wetland complex has often been called the birthplace of ecology within Indiana Dunes National Park. Wetlands, like Cowles Bog, provide food, shelter, and water to an abundance of species and allow for an explosion of biodiversity. During the hiking season, a visitor can find hundreds of fern, fungi, and wildflowers throughout the wetland.

Located about one mile from the southern trailhead, this photo station captures the health of the overall wetland complex. Invasive plants and overgrown trees and shrubs are continually being cleared out, allowing for native plants to thrive. Vast improvements have already been made, and this time lapse will allow us to continue to track that improvement!

Watch the time lapse of Cowles Bog  here .

Tolleston Dunes is home to the globally rare black oak savanna habitat and several wetland habitats. Pictured here, oak savannas once covered 50 million acres across the Midwest but now only cover around 30,000. Spring wildflowers and various butterfly species can be spotted at this site. Most notably, lupine, butterfly weed, and prickly pear cactus are able to grow in this ecosystem.

Located about a half mile from the trailhead, this photo station allows us to track the recovery of the black oak savanna. Indiana Dunes National Park staff has been actively clearing invasive plants through the use of prescribed burns in order to promote the health of native plants. Photos submitted at this location help us to monitor the health of this black oak savanna as well as the effectiveness of our restoration efforts.

Watch the time lapse of Tolleston Dunes  here .

West Beach is home to towering dunes, jack pines, wooded dunes, and interdunal ponds. These habitats host a large variety of plant species and wildlife. The sand dunes found here and around the park are threatened by human activity, specifically from the use of social trails. Social trails can easily be spotted by a "bald" sandy path cutting through vegetation. By walking on these social trails, the surrounding dune grass is destroyed and more erosion occurs. Staying on the trail ensures that these dunes–our park's namesake–remain in place for future generations.

Located near the West Beach bathhouse, this photo station documents the effectiveness of our dune protection and restoration efforts. By watching this time lapse, we can better understand the process of dune grass growth and plant succession on an existing dune.

Watch the time lapse of West Beach  here .

Located directly along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk experiences dramatic shifts in both the shoreline and surrounding landscape. Rises in lake levels lead to dune breaches, beach nourishment and erosion, and a growing interdunal pond.

Located behind the pavilion at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, this photo station allows us to view changes in this interdunal pond. Over time, we can gain a better understanding of annual lake cycles and long-term effects of these cycles on the surrounding landscape.

Watch the time lapse of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk  here .