News & Outings
Can You Spare 6 Minutes to Protect More Land?
This note is a request for six minutes of your time in the next few days. Your six minutes will help protect more of Door County’s exceptional lands and waters. Your six minutes can protect the the things you love about Door County! Please take six minutes (three minutes per call) to call our two…
The Big Plant: Native Tree and Pollinator-Friendly Plant Give-Away
Native Plant and Tree Give-Away Aims to Improve Wildlife Habitat Throughout Door County Upcoming tree and plant giveaway events: Saturday, May 1, 9am til plants are gone! @ Main Street Market, Egg Harbor Saturday, May 8, 9am til plants are gone! @ Southern Door School, Brussels Saturday, May 15, 9am til plants are gone! @…
Door County Land Trust Seeks Renewal as an Accredited Land Trust: Public Comment Period Now Open
To all who love Door County’s wild beauty, Five years ago, Door County Land Trust was awarded the seal of accreditation by the national Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Door County Land…
Appreciating Spring
Appreciating Spring By Dale Goodner, hike leader, volunteer, and curious citizen To the avid hiker, ecologist, or wood thrush, there is much more to a forest than just trees. From the very top of the canopy, to the secret recesses of soil, countless life forms occupy and embody the fundamental fabric of the forest….
Reading Stories in the Snow
Reading the Stories in the Snow! By Terrie Cooper, Community Conservation Director Winter is my favorite time of year when the secret lives of animals are revealed in their “stories in the snow”. In Wisconsin there are only three mammals that are true hibernators in winter (woodchucks, ground squirrels and bats). The rest of Wisconsin’s…
A Win for Water Quality: Wetlands Protected at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp
A Win for Water Quality: Wetlands Protected at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Ephraim, WI – Door County Land Trust is thrilled to announce the protection of two additional forested properties within the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Area. With these additions totaling 75 acres, Door County Land Trust now protects 383 acres within the swamp, which is…
The Twelve Hikes of Christmas
A Holiday Nature Celebration The Twelve Hikes of Christmas is our holiday celebration, encouraging you to get outside and see what your favorite nature preserves have to show you this season. For the twelve days leading up to Christmas we will share a new winter wildlife photo and coloring book page for free download. Enjoy…
A Watershed Moment for Washington Island’s Coffey Swamp
A Watershed Moment for Washington Island’s Coffey Swamp Washington Island, WI – Door County Land Trust is thrilled to announce the protection of a forested property on Washington Island as part of the Coffey Swamp State Natural Area. This property is home to a high quality wet northern forest largely covered with mature white cedar…
Land at Heart of Kellner Fen Donated into Permanent Conservation
Land at Heart of Kellner Fen Donated into Permanent Conservation Sturgeon Bay, WI – Door County Land Trust is excited to announce the recent acquisition and protection of a 40-acre property at the center of the Kellner Fen wetland complex located north of Sturgeon Bay near Lake Michigan. The property was donated by Jim…
Anonymous Donor Inspires Giving for Land Protection at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp
Anonymous Donor Inspires Giving for Land Protection at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Ephraim, WI – An anonymous couple is inspiring others to give to the Door County Land Trust’s ongoing land protection efforts at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area. The couple have a love of the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp and have been long-time supporters of the efforts to protect…
The Perfect Cozy Conservation Gift
The Perfect Cozy Conservation Gift. Give the perfect gift this Christmas! Place a bid for a gift basket featuring a hand-crocheted afghan donated by member Maureen McGrath, a copy of the ‘Guide to the Places We Protect’, and candied nuts homemade by Land Trust president Donna DeNardo. Each gift comes with a gift membership for the…
Landings Journal –
News Splash Winter 2020-2021
Read our 2020-2021 Winter Landings News Splash! Landings News Splash: Stories About the Places YOU help protect!
Hiking during hunting season:
how to stay safe
Door County Land Trust preserves accommodate a wide variety of public uses including hiking, canoeing, cross country skiing, scientific research and hunting. In order to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors to our preserves, we ask hikers to review hunting safety guidelines and be aware during the season. Hunting season is not…
Landings Journal –
News Splash Fall 2020
Read our 2020 Fall Landings News Splash! Landings News Splash: Stories About the Places YOU help protect!
Door County Land Trust and The Ridges Sanctuary Conclude Merger Discussions
Door County Land Trust and The Ridges Sanctuary Conclude Merger Discussions The Ridges Sanctuary and Door County Land Trust decided to conclude their exploratory discussions for a possible merger. While the organizations determined now is not the right time to combine, they are committed to continue working together in various ways. Both organizations developed a…
High-quality forest and wetland habitat protected on Washington Island
Door County’s Newest Conservation Project: High-quality forest and wetland habitat protected on Washington Island Washington Island, WI – Door County Land Trust is excited to announce the protection of 20 acres on Washington Island as part of the Big and Little Marsh State Natural Area. This property is home to a northern hardwood forest with…
Door County Land Trust and The Ridges Sanctuary Begin Partnership Discussions
Door County Land Trust and The Ridges Sanctuary Begin Partnership Discussions The Door County Land Trust and The Ridges Sanctuary are pleased to announce they have entered into discussions surrounding the combination of the two organizations into one operating entity. The combined organization would build on the strengths of both groups to become a stronger community…
20 Acres Protected at Washington Island’s Big and Little Marsh
Door County’s Newest Conservation Project: 20 Acres Protected at Washington Island’s Big and Little Marsh Washington Island, WI – Door County Land Trust completed the acquisition and protection of 20 acres of remnant boreal forest on Washington Island adjoining the Big and Little Marsh State Natural Area which is known for its rare and imperiled…
A New Conservation Easement Protects Forest in Baileys Harbor
A New Conservation Easement Protects Forest in Baileys Harbor Baileys Harbor, WI – Door County Land Trust is thrilled to announce the protection of 40 acres in Baileys Harbor with a perpetual conservation easement agreement. Landowners Tom and Cynthia Wolfe protect the property from future development and add to protected lands within a nearby important…
Puzzling Pollinator Plant Quiz
Test Your Native Plant Knowledge Sure, pollinating insects and animals are pretty cool and buzz-worthy. But what about their preferred plants? Put your native plant ID knowledge to the test with our pollinator quiz… Want to study up? Learn about the native plants and pollinator garden at Bayshore Blufflands Nature Preserve here >>
Pollinator Garden at Bayshore Blufflands Nature Preserve
An oasis for butterflies, birds, bees, and other pollinators The three-year community conservation effort to battle buckthorn and other invasive shrubs at the Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve has begun a new chapter as Door County Land Trust installed a new planting of native species this past summer. The lower trailhead now is home to…
Door County Land Trust will be featured on Discover Wisconsin!
Wisconsin Land Trust Days Highlighted on Discover Wisconsin Watch now! On June 13th at 6:30pm CST, Discover Wisconsin airs the Wisconsin Land Trust Days episode on television stations across the Midwest. Tune in to watch wild mushroom expert Charlotte Lukes share her passion for conservation and fungi during the Fungus Among Us hike at Kangaroo Lake…
Nature Notes Calendar
Donate $20 or more to receive your Nature Notes Calendar! Stunning monthly images and stories 19 months! June 2020-December 2021 Bloom times and locations Bird migration and nesting seasons Insect, fish, amphibian, and mammal life cycles Moon phases and meteor showers Dates of historical significance Sun rise and set times Quotes from remarkable conservation legends…
Love the Land…Leave it Wild
We are thrilled to see new and familiar faces walking the trails and enjoying the outdoors. Thank you to everyone who is taking time to love the land! Here are a few reminders, so the nature preserves you love can stay open, healthy, and protected.
2020 Events, Hikes, and Activities
From colorful wildflowers blooming across the peninsula to the calming roll of Lake Michigan waves on the shore, Door County has shed its winter coat and is buzzing with new life and summertime sunshine. Normally, this is the time for exploring preserve trails through a guided hike, gathering together at events, or celebrating community…
Plains Garter Snake coloring book page
Enjoy this scientific, fun, and free coloring page download! Simply submit your email & you’ll see an image to click and download.
Porcupine coloring book page
On Mother’s Day, enjoy this scientific, fun, and free coloring page download! Simply submit your email & you’ll see an image to click and download.
Door County Daily Nature
Join us in celebrating the rhythm of the days and seasons by sharing photos, observations, and reflections from nature. Just as spring pushes forward, so too does our community-focused conservation work. We invite you to reach out to us and stay connected. Share your thoughts and pictures below. After review, we’ll post them on this page…
Amphibian coloring book page
Enjoy this scientific, fun, and free coloring page download! Simply submit your email & you’ll see an image to click and download.
Springtime Emerges at Erskine Woods
Wanted to share some photos of my walk at Erskine Woods! – Amy Watts Dwyer
Door County Ecology: Yellow Bellied Sapsucker
Door County Ecology at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve. Learn how to spot signs of a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Door County Ecology: Difference Between Red Pine and White Pine
Door County Ecology at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve. Learn the difference between Red Pine and White Pine! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Happy Earth Day!
In celebration of the 50th Earth Day, enjoy these scientific, fun, and free downloads for you! Simply enter your email to download the Door County coloring pages and phenology calendar for April & May.
Finding Sanctuary at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve
“We are very privileged to have this outdoor space to safely go to,” says photographer Miora Rajaonary. “It is more than a playground. It has become our sanctuary, an invitation for us to look closer and longer and contemplate.” Video from Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, by Jim Perry.
Signs of Spring: Hazelnut Flowers in Bloom
Signs of Spring at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, hazelnut flowers in bloom! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Longnose Suckers at Heins Creek Nature Preserve
Watch the Longnose Suckers at Heins Creek Nature Preserve, monitoring and video by Joe Taylor.
Enjoying Ephraim Nature Preserve at Anderson Pond
Wanted to share some photos of my walk at Ephraim Nature Preserve at Anderson Pond! – Amy Watts Dwyer
Signs of Spring: Club Moss
Signs of Spring at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, club moss! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Sunrise at Legacy Nature Preserve at Clay Banks
Enjoy the beautiful sunrise from Legacy Nature Preserve at Clay Banks – Jim Perry
Daily Nature
Daily Nature Join us in celebrating the rhythm of the days and seasons by sharing photos, observations, and reflections from nature. Just as spring pushes forward, so too does our community-focused conservation work. We invite you to reach out to us and stay connected. Share your thoughts and pictures below. After review, we’ll post them…
Signs of Spring: Wood Frogs Mating
Signs of Spring at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, wood frogs mating! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Signs of Spring: Balsam Poplar
Signs of Spring at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Balsam Poplar! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Signs of Spring: Skunk Cabbage
Signs of Spring at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Skunk Cabbage! – Mary and Dale Goodner
Peace and Beauty at Pebble Beach
For years, when our children were little, Pebble Beach was a port of call when we sailed our little family sailboat around Little Sister Bay. We would look forward to having a picnic on the beach. I remember wearing old tennis shoes to walk over the rocks from the sailboat. There was always peace and…
Intrigued by Heins Creek
I’ve always been intrigued by Heins Creek. From the babbling waters to the rippled sandy bottom and crystal clear waters, it is just beautiful. And it’s teeming with life! Birds flit in and out of the waters on the edge of the stream. If you stand still enough, you’ll see fish of all sizes moving…
Memories from Julie Christiansen
The Aleda (Ah-lee-da) was my great grandfather, J.O. Lindem’s boat. I think that he built it. The original homestead down near the beach was – I think – J.O.’s brother’s home and blacksmith shop – but I’m not sure about that. The ownership around that time is a little murky and the dates were “off”…
Summers on the Southwest Point of Little Sister Bay
Our family has spent summers on the point on the SW side of Little Sister Bay since 1915 when my grandfather bought our property from a fisherman’s widow. The fisherman was named John Larson (buried in Little Sister cemetery). John’s fish house is still along the shore and can be seen in the attached aerial…
Golden-crowned kinglets, Spring Peepers, and Wood Frogs – Oh My!
Tom Clay and I spent a beautiful “signs of spring” morning at Three Springs Nature Preserve. This is a perfect time to visit, there are so many spring activities taking place, from birds migrating overhead, to northern pike in Three Springs Pond visible from deck if you are lucky (I was). We saw lots of …
Snowy Owl Spends the Weekend on Chambers Island
“Snowy owls don’t know about coronavirus, fortunately — they only know that the days are lengthening toward spring, and the tug of the Arctic is getting stronger and stronger. Some have already started migrating back north, and may soon be out of cell range for the summer. It’s a welcome reminder that, however dark and…
Nature preserves open…Offices closed
Dear Door County Land Trust Community, In response to Governor Evers’ Order for Statewide School Closure, beginning March 18, 2020, Door County Land Trust’s office is closed with an anticipated reopening on May 26, 2020. During this period our staff is performing field work and teleworking via email. If you need to reach myself or…
Recent Purchase Protects Portion of Hidden Springs Creek that flows into Ephraim’s Eagle Harbor
Door County, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of 30 acres of undeveloped land as part of the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area. This property, which lies approximately 600 feet from the water of Green Bay, contains a portion of Hidden Springs Creek. The majority of the property…
Winter Moonlight Walks – CANCELED
Moonlit winter nights bring out a host of different sights and sounds that you won’t want to miss. Experience the magic and serenity of nature at night and listen for the sounds of nocturnal animals. Register now for one of our upcoming winter moonlight walks and join us for an unforgettable experience! Free • Open…
Big and Little Susie Islands Donated into Permanent Conservation
Sturgeon Bay, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce Big and Little Susie Islands have been donated into permanent conservation with the Door County Land Trust. The islands were owned by brothers Paul and Arni Richter and were passed on to family. The Richter family owned the Washington Island Ferry Line, with…
High-Quality Forests Protected for Wildlife and Migratory Bird Habitat on Chambers Island
Sturgeon Bay, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the permanent protection of significant high-quality forests on Chambers Island. Two parcels totaling 60 acres are now protected, and a third parcel of about 20 acres will be protected before the year’s end. The forest lands consist of a mix of sugar maple,…
Celebrate the Protection of Pebble Beach at Little Sister Bay
The Village of Sister Bay, with assistance from the Door County Land Trust, completed the purchase of an iconic 17-acre gem along Little Sister Bay, expanding the former 40-feet of public beach with an additional 600 feet of shoreline. To celebrate the completion of the purchase of the property, Door County Land Trust and the…
Join the Work Crew;
Oak Road Nature Preserve
Itching to get your hands dirty and really connect with the land? Discover the rewarding feel of restoration work in the field! Join the upcoming work party and help with invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and overall land stewardship. The day will include exploring Oak Road Nature Preserve through the lens of land stewardship and…
Surge of Support to Protect Pebble Beach
Surge of Support to Protect Pebble Beach Sister Bay, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce a remarkable gift from angel donors Mary and Bob Wiley of Sister Bay, to protect Pebble Beach. Door County Land Trust and the Village of Sister Bay are partnering to protect 600 feet of shoreline and…
Announcing Pebble Beach
Door County Land Trust and Village of Sister Bay Announce Partnership to Protect Pebble Beach Sister Bay, WI – The Door County Land Trust and the Village of Sister Bay are pleased to announce a partnership to protect 600 feet of shoreline and 17 acres of land as a publicly accessible recreation and natural…
Conservationists of the Year – Chambers Island Nature Preserve Executive Committee
Gathering Waters, Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts is excited to honor as part of the Land Conservation Leadership Awards Chambers Island Nature Preserve Executive Committee as Conservationists of the Year Conservationist of the Year – Chambers Island Nature Preserve Executive Committee is made up of a team of four women who own property on Door County’s…
New Land Conservation Protects Headwaters and Springs within Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp
Ephraim, WI – The Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce a newly protected property containing wetlands, springs and streams within the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Area. The 80-acre property is the second property in the area to be protected this year, and brings the total protection of these headwaters and springs to 277…
Headwater Wetlands Protected at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp
Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area is a large coastal wetland corridor in Ephraim that is the focus of a multi-year land protection effort by Door County Land Trust. In May 2019 key headwater wetlands, springs, and stream corridors of two creeks flowing into Eagle Harbor and Green Bay were protected with two purchases totaling 120 acres….
Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands BioBlitz
Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands BioBlitz June 18- 21, 2019 We’re doing an ecological inventory of our natural wetlands treasures—and we need your help. Become a citizen scientist for a day! It’s called a BioBlitz—a community science activity for people of all ages and experience. Discover and document the variety of species found at the Three Springs…
Headwaters of Eagle Harbor Protected!
The Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce a wetland property containing portions of the headwaters of Ephraim Creeks and Hidden Springs in the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Area is now protected! The property was purchased from a local landowner who wished for the property to remain conserved in its natural state. The property…
9 Acres Donated at Chambers Island Nature Preserve
Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the donation of 9 acres of land at the Chambers Island Nature Preserve. The donation of land, made by Pete and Fawn Rogers, long-time summer visitors on the island, is the fifth conservation project to be completed on Chambers Island during 2018. The donated land connects other…
Chambers Island Nature Preserve Expands with 50 Newly Protected Acres!
We are pleased to announce that Thursday, December 13, the Door County Land Trust completed two more land acquisitions on Chambers Island! These two additional projects are the third and fourth of five planned land protection projects on the island this December! The two properties, one a 10-acre hardwood and hemlock forest and the other…
Door County Land Trust Expands Chambers Island Nature Preserve With 35 Newly Protected Acres
The Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce that 35 acres of forested uplands have been acquired as an addition to the Door County Land Trust’s 600-acre Chambers Island Nature Preserve. With the October protection of two islands within Lake Mackaysee, this acquisition is the second of five new land deals to be completed on…
The Rare Pitcher’s Dune Thistle
Watch the Chicago Botanic Garden Researchers Speak about Pitcher’s Dune Thistle at the Door County Land Trust 2018 Annual Gathering –
Door County Land Trust Kicks Off ‘Protect What You Love’ Campaign
Land conservation doesn’t occur naturally: it takes community action! That’s why Door County Land Trust is proud to introduce the Protect What You Love new member campaign, which launches on #GivingTuesday (November 27) and ends on January 31. Since its inception in 1986, Door County Land Trust has worked to preserve, maintain and enhance lands…
Islands within Chambers Island’s Lake Mackaysee Now Protected by Door County Land Trust
Chambers Island, WI: The Door County Land Trust is thrilled to announce that the two small islands in Lake Mackaysee are now officially part of the Door County Land Trust’s 600-acre Chambers Island Nature Preserve. The Town of Gibraltar aided the process by purchasing the islands from the Wisconsin Commission of Public Lands, and then…
Calling All Volunteers!
Looking to stay active this fall? We’ve got the solution! Join us for a work day at our beautiful Heins Creek Nature Preserve. First-time volunteers are welcome! The Door County Land Trust is hosting a Door Stewardship Alliance work day at Heins Creek Nature Preserve on Tuesday, October 30th from 9:00am to 12:00pm. We will…
Pitcher’s Dune Thistle at Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal
Watch Chicago Botanic Garden Researchers Speak about Pitcher’s Dune Thistle at the Door County Land Trust 2018 Annual Gathering:
Volunteer Appreciation Party
To show our appreciation of your volunteer support the Door County Land Trust invites you to the Volunteer Appreciation Party Donald & Carol Kress Pavilion 7845 Church St, Egg Harbor Tuesday, October 9, 2018 4:00 – 6:00 pm All volunteers, preserve stewards, hike leaders, hosts, co-hosts, event leaders, and committee members are invited to celebrate…
Volunteer Work Day at Oak Road Nature Preserve
Tuesday, September 25 9:00am – 12:00 pm 6391 Oak Road Join the Door County Land Trust for a morning of work at Oak Road Nature Preserve. We will be enhancing restoration efforts by continuing the control of non-native honeysuckle and autumn olive. Please meet at the Oak Road Nature Preserve parking area located at 6391…
Volunteer Work Day at Detroit Harbor Nature Preserve
*RSVP Required* Tuesday, September 11 10:30am – 1:30pm (depending on ferry schedule and timing) 600 Lobdell Point Road, Washington Island We are continuing our efforts to better establish the new trail at Detroit Harbor Nature Preserve. Please meet at 600 Lobdell Point Road at 10:30am on Tuesday, September 11. We need help clearing vegetation from…
Participate in the Chambers Island BioBlitz!
Door County Land Trust will hold a joint effort to research the ecology of Chambers Island over a four day period August 5-8. This project, called the Chambers Island BioBlitz, will be led by staff, researchers and volunteers from Door County Land Trust, Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center, UW-Green Bay and the Chambers Island Nature Preserve…
All Aboard! Chambers Island Nature Preserve Boat Tour
Wednesday, June 27 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours 4150 Maple St, Fish Creek Join us for an exciting voyage to explore the Door County Land Trust’s 600-acre Chambers Island Nature Preserve. The preserve’s towering hemlocks, pines, red oaks and maples provide habitat to 171 birds. Participants will have three options for exploring…
Donate to Rutabaga Sea Kayak Symposium
Donate lightly used items, art or wine to the annual Rutabaga Sea Kayak Symposium Auction! This auctions raises more than $6,000 per year for the Door County Land Trust mission. Email Cinnamon Rossman to learn more.
Bay Shore Blufflands Buckthorn Blast Kick-Off Event!
Friday, June 22 9:30 am – 11:30 am Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve 5519 Reynolds Road, Carlsville Join the neighborhood effort to remove invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle! These wicked weeds are a real ‘thorn’ in our side. Here’s why: They shade out native plants like trillium and Lady’s slipper orchids. Their berries cause nutrient deficiencies…
Read Latest “Landings” – Spring 2018
This is a milestone year for international, state and local natural resources conservation. In 2018, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Migratory Bird Treaty Act and we mark the 50th year of Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources. And here in Door County, we are poised to implement our most aggressive land management work…
Year of the Bird!
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the International Migratory Bird Treaty Act. To recognize that landmark legislation, National Geographic, BirdLife International and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology declared 2018 as the “Year of the Bird.” As we carry out the mission of Door County Land Trust we are reminded of a…
Register for Summer Events
June 5th!
We invite you to celebrate Door County’s beautiful open spaces! In our 2018 schedule of outings and events, you’ll find many ways to connect with the land and the people who make Door County such a special place to live and visit. From forest mindfulness immersion to discovering the aquatic wonders seen only under…
Shake Off Winter and Experience Door County With Us!
I’ve decided to stop asking myself if the snow will end. Instead, I am embracing this mid-April snowstorm. In fact, based on the Bay Shore Blufflands restoration project, I should be celebrating this cold spring for giving us more time to treat the invasive buckthorn. But, as you’ll soon read, spring will come and our upcoming hikes provide…
Meet The Staff!
Cinnamon Rossman stepped into the role of Development Director at the beginning of 2018. For the past five years she has managed the Land Trust’s communications and events, and her new responsibilities now include working more closely with members and donors to build community support for the Land Trust’s mission. Cinnamon grew up near Mud Lake…
Bay Shore Blufflands Buckthorn Blast
We are pleased to announce the completion of the first round of invasive shrub removal in the Bay Shore Blufflands Buckthorn Blast! The project is a community conservation effort designed to enhance the nature preserve and encourage the neighborhood and greater community to participate in the effort. Jason Wilke, of Nature Care Ecological Consulting and…
New 2018 Acquisitions Underway at the Chambers Island Nature Preserve
For the 171 species of birds migrating annually on the 2,000 mile journey along the Mississippi flyway, Chambers Island is a haven, a rest stop, and a much needed place to refuel. The Door County Land Trust Chambers Island Nature Preserve has grown to 600 acres and our 2018 plan continues efforts to acquire several…
New Acquisitions Underway at the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area
The Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area is comprised of cedar forest and ephemeral wetlands—two components contributing to Door County’s most unique environments. In 2017, the Land Trust completed a 120-acre purchase in the heart of the swamp. Landowners in the neighborhood are helping the Land Trust acquire several more key parcels within the natural area, which…
Habitat Restoration Planned for Grand View Scenic Overlook
When the opportunity to protect the Grand View Scenic Overlook arose, the community stepped forward to complete the seemingly impossible task of raising the funds for such prime real-estate. Within the protected view, lay two small ponds and surrounding lands in need of special care. Recently, the Door County Land Trust implemented two initial landscape…
Grants Received for Restoration Project at Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve
Door County Land Trust and Bay Shore Property Owners Association continue to battle invasive plants with a new multi-year community conservation project to eradicate non-native common and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.) and exotic honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) at the Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve. The project, known as the Bay Shore Blufflands Buckthorn Blast, began last…
Investments in Stewardship Endowment Fund are Working for Our Land
Thanks to the many thoughtful Legacy Circle donors who have included the Land Trust in their will or bequest, the Stewardship Endowment Fund will be carefully put to use beginning this year. The Board of Directors and the Endowment Trustees have calculated a sustainable draw from the fund which will be applied toward the Land…
Volunteer Work Day at Solitude Natural Area
Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 10:00 am -12:00 pm Solitude Natural Area 6759 Logerquist Road We are continuing our efforts to control pesky Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) at Solitude Natural Area. Scots Pine is a non-native pine tree that grows more aggressively than other species, crowding out other trees and preventing desirable native species from growing….
Holiday Hunt Dec. 24-Jan. 1: Safe Hiking and Hunting
Holiday Hunt! A special deer hunt will take place December 24, 2017 – January 1, 2018. Hikers may wish to avoid these Door County Land Trust nature preserves open to this special hunting season: Three Springs Nature Preserve, Heins Creek Nature Preserve, Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve, Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve, Legacy Nature Preserve at Clay…
Newly Protected! 17 Acres Adjacent to Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve
Conservation Easements Protect Homes for The Wildest Things Short-tailed weasel at Aten-Collins Conservation Easement. Photo by Nancy Aten Visionary landowners Nancy Aten and Dan Collins completed the donation of a 17-acre conservation easement to the Door County Land Trust this fall. The property, located near the 274-acre Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve, adds to a…
Landings – News Splash! Read the Winter Newsletter Online
The 2017 Winter Newsletter has arrived! This season we’re saving on paper and providing more content on our website. Click below to view the newsletter online. Click the links to see related webpages, photos or additional content.
Gift Exchange
Gift Exchange By Francha Barnard, Door County poet and volunteer As for me, on a trail hike, you wouldn’t want me to lead; can’t identify the ten different mushrooms or four or five ferns we’d see. Can’t tell the various orchids apart or the birdsong we’d hear nearby; can’t even find the bird in the…
Mapping Guides 2018 Restoration Work
This four-person crew spent part of their summer mapping invasive species in preparation for a restoration project to begin in 2018. Door County Land Trust’s Three Springs Nature Preserve is one of several sites prioritized in this partner project to map, monitor and reduce invasive species within Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands Ramsar site, an…
Restoring Balance to an Interconnected Ecosystem
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve ridge and swale wetland. Photo by Jason Wilke, restoration and invasive species removal contractor 399 acres at the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve and 50 acres at Heins Creek Nature Preserve are being restored, thanks to funding from the North American Wetland Conservation Act Grant. The project,…
Door County Land Trust