Dunes Learning Center

Dunes Learning Center Dunes Learning Center has education programs to inspire lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature

Dunes Learning Center connects learners of all ages with the natural world through lessons in conservation and sustainability led by professional educators in an outdoor classroom. Immersed in nature, students learn from hands-on experiences, grow to appreciate the environment and take action as the stewards of tomorrow. One of just 17 independent nonprofits operating a residential environmental l

earning center in collaboration with the National Park Service, Dunes Learning Center is based within Indiana Dunes National Park.

08/28/2026

Education feels different out here 🌾🌲

Getting outside allows students to see the connections between science, history, and the environment in a way that feels real and meaningful. There's no better classroom than the Indiana Dunes!

It's National Park Week! We've had a hectic week so we're a little late to the game but today is Thankful Thursday, and...
08/28/2026

It's National Park Week! We've had a hectic week so we're a little late to the game but today is Thankful Thursday, and gratitude is a perfect word to wrap up the way we feel about being part of Indiana Dunes National Park.

We're grateful to be the Official Outdoor School Partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, for the many educators that work hard to bring their students to our outdoor school, and for every student who has been able to explore nature through DLC. We can't wait to see everyone this year!

This summer, more than 50 LaPorte County youth spent a week outdoors thanks to the generosity of the Flora Richardson Fo...
08/26/2026

This summer, more than 50 LaPorte County youth spent a week outdoors thanks to the generosity of the Flora Richardson Foundation!

Our educators brought the show on the road to Soldiers Memorial Park and welcomed our PreK campers and Elementary campers for hands-on nature exploration. Then families capped off the experience with a hike together at Richardson Preserve, where almost 60 people joined in on the fun.

We're so grateful for partners like the Flora Richardson Foundation who understand that connecting kids to nature early makes a lasting difference.

08/21/2026

Ever wonder what holds a dune together?

Filmed earlier this season, one of our very own Environmental Educators explains why it’s more than just sand! Native plants play a crucial role in building and stabilizing dunes. Their roots help anchor the sand, while their stems and leaves trap blowing sand, helping dunes grow and stay in place over time.

08/12/2026

⚠️ Dunes Learning Center will be closed through the week.

Like so many of our neighbors across the region, we're dealing with the aftermath of this storm and know many of you are without power right now too. We'll share updates here as we know more, please be safe out there.

08/07/2026

At Dunes Learning Center, our Environmental Educators spend their days exploring the Indiana Dunes National Park, inspiring curiosity, connection, and growth through hands-on experiences in nature. 🌿

Think this sounds like your dream job? Check out the link below to learn more and apply!
https://duneslearningcenter.org/employment

Look who we found munching on apples right outside our office! Deer typically shed their antlers in late winter/spring, ...
08/06/2026

Look who we found munching on apples right outside our office!

Deer typically shed their antlers in late winter/spring, then grow new ones through summer, and that fuzzy "velvet" you might see is part of this growth phase. By fall, the velvet rubs off, leaving hard bone antlers deer use for fighting and scraping.

So what happened to his other antler? It's likely just broken, which can happen for all kinds of reasons and isn't necessarily a sign of trouble. In fact, we have actually confirmed this same deer has been hanging around campus since May, happy, healthy, and clearly thriving, and we're affectionately calling him Uno.

Keep an eye out for Uno on your next visit to DLC! 🦌 🍎

07/31/2026

Did you know that Cowles Bog isn't really a bog? It's a fen! 🌿

Despite its name, Cowles Bog is actually a fen. Bogs get most of their water from rain, while fens are fed by groundwater that's rich in minerals. That difference creates unique habitats for the amazing plants and wildlife that call them home.

07/24/2026

Blink and you'll miss it! 🐸

Those hidden pops of color are called flash colors, which are bright markings many frogs reveal only when they jump. This sudden burst of color can startle or confuse predators, giving the frog a split second to disappear into the leaf litter.

Address

700 Howe Road
Chesterton, IN
46304

Telephone

+12193959555

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