Indiana Dunes State Park volunteer receives national award

January 27, 2023

A resident of Chesterton in Porter County who has volunteered more than 1,200 hours at Indiana Dunes State Park during the past five years has received the 2022 Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer of the Year award.

Dan Bariball, who was nominated by the park’s interpretive naturalist, Marie Laudeman, has performed many different duties as a volunteer.

Dan Bariball

“Whether it is taking care of a reptile ambassador, helping visitors find their way on a nature trail, leading formal and informal programming, or greeting visitors in a nature center, Dan is there to serve with skill, dedication and passion,” Laudeman said in a Department of Natural Resources media release.

Bariball received the national award during the National Association for Interpretation conference.

The annual award is presented to an NAI member who has worked five or more years as a volunteer interpreter, whose educational background is not in interpretation, and whose current volunteer duties are in frontline interpretation or administration of an interpretive program.

To be nominated, the individual must show a mastery of interpretive techniques and program development and an initiative and a dedication to the affiliated institution.

For information on volunteering with the DNR, visit here.

Indiana Dunes State Park volunteer receives national award

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