Isabel Durkin, David Phillips and Tara Duffie (left to right) during a recent meeting of Porter’s Environmental Sustainability Commission. JAMES WOODS/photo

A newly created commission in the Town of Porter this year quietly began its mission of improving the environment, already leaving a mark on the community.

The Porter Town Council in September 2023 voted to establish the Environmental Sustainability Commission, patterned after similar commissions in Michigan City and a few other Indiana communities.

Starting in February, the seven commission members would gather monthly in the Town Hall. Two of the seven members – Devin Throw and Isabel Durkin – are juniors at Chesterton High School.

Commission Chairperson Tara Duffie said the commission in its initial voyage had a “really busy year.” She outlined what the commission accomplished in a report delivered to the Town Council.

“It’s a learning curve but then we also have a lot of initiatives going on and projects,” Duffie said.

The mission statement was set during an early workshop with a Purdue University Extension facilitator. Durkin, the student member, came up with the statement:

“The Environmental Sustainability Commission aims to protect our natural resources, promote sustainable development, and collaborate closely with our community to preserve and prioritize our natural environment and lakeshore.”

The most visible work was the establishment of Native Gardens at the Yost Elementary School, Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church and Hageman Library.

Duffie recalls how Commission member Jennifer Dimitrioff and Throw put in a very long day during the initial installation of Native Garden in front of the Yost Elementary School.

The gardens – which feature plants native to the Duneland – are just the beginning. Dimitroff is planning more Native Pollinator Gardens that could eventually form a trail around the community.

Duffie said the idea is to encourage residents within Porter to develop their own gardens. That would mean less grass to mow and the lower use of fertilizers and pesticides. It would also provide a habitat for more bees and butterflies.

There were also periodic beach cleanups organized by Commission member David Phillips, with the cooperation of groups that included Friends of the Dunes. Volunteers mainly picked up trash from the lakefront at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

Phillips, who previously served a four-year term on the Town Council, said he enjoys the practical nature of work on the commission.

“Because it’s all new, we get to do things more hands-on than the council would do,” Phillips said.

Another practical project started by the commission this year is the Christmas Lights Recycling Initiative. A collection box has been placed in the lobby at the Town Hall. Copper can be recovered from the used lights, which is a better idea than just dumping burnt out lights in the landfill.

Some of the work by commission members gave input that will help form future town policies.

For instance, Commission members Allison Hultman and Mitch Richmond presented their recommendations for changes in the Stormwater Technical Standards Manual.

Hultman also compiled a list of sustainable building recommendations for the Redevelopment Commission, which is establishing a Facade Grant program for the Downtown buildings.

Throw conducted thorough research, creating a detailed color coded assessment of sidewalks that had been damaged by trees. There were also suggestions submitted for the planting of new trees.

At the direction of Michael Barry, the town’s development director and building superintendent, the commission is currently performing a review of the Town’s Landscape Code.

An inventory of trees at Hawthorne Park has also started, with the plan to do a similar inventory at the town’s other parks.

The commission also had some community outreach events to make more people aware of its work.

Dimitroff organized a free, community wide bird walk at Hawthorne Park. Kimberly Ehn of the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society donated her time and expertise for the event.

Just recently, Duffie said she received notification that Porter’s Environmental Sustainability Commission, along with the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society, had been accepted into the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network. It is a national peer learning program to support local leaders in implementing plans to prioritize sustainability actions in their communities.

Duffie said the Town Council has been very supportive, especially Council President Laura Madigan who attends many of their meetings. The Town’s Redevelopment Commission has also supplied a $10,000 budget for the Environmental Sustainability Commission for its projects next year.

“2025 looks very promising for us,” Duffie said.