An Evolving Relationship

Abstract

It’s a hot July day in the Midwest. Clear blue water laps at fine sandy soil, while the air hums with insects and a kestrel hovers overhead. In one direction, the Indiana dunes recede into the distance. These dunes, a complex of four discrete systems receding by age from the shores of Lake Michigan, represent an ecological progression from open beaches to stable oak forests. As a rare remaining natural place in the region, they provide recreation space for the residents of Chicago and northwest Indiana. On this summer day, the dunes are teeming with people playing ball, chasing pets, corralling children, and generally enjoying a day out at the Indiana Dunes National Park. In the near distance, the waters of Lake Michigan play host to sailboats, motorboats, and paddleboards.