How We Save Land
Land Donation Protects Water Quality on Washington Island
A long-time Washington Island naturalist has recently donated a 10-acre white cedar forest adjacent to the Coffey Swamp State Natural Area on Washington Island. The newly protected property is key to providing water quality protection for Coffey Swamp and Lake Michigan. With the forest ideally situated on the rim of the area’s wetland basin, it…
Read MoreConservation Easement a Gift to Southern Door Water Quality
Water quality in Southern Door has been handed a rare gift through a conservation easement agreement recently donated to Door County Land Trust. Owned by Patricia A. Nell, of Sturgeon Bay, the 158-acre property contains a portion of the headwaters of the Ahnapee River and surrounding wetlands that slow down water runoff and filter sediments…
Read MoreChambers Island Landowners Purchase Additional Retreat Center Property for Preserve
Through a generous outpouring of private donations from Chambers Island landowners, The Door County Land Trust has acquired a 22.75-acre ecological gem that fits perfectly into the original 830-acre plan for the Chambers Island Nature Preserve. Formerly part of the grounds that hosted the Green Bay Catholic Diocese Holy Name Retreat Center, the parcel is…
Read MoreLand Trust Awarded Grant to Protect Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly Habitat
Door County Land Trust (DCLT) was awarded a Midwest Coastal Grant from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the amount of $196,736 to conduct invasive species control at Kellner Fen Natural Area, just north of Sturgeon Bay. The control of these plants directly relates to protecting the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (HED) (Somatochlora…
Read MoreFischer Family Inspires Generosity
The children of Anne Fischer are putting forth a challenge to those who value the future of Door County’s wild spaces. The Fischer Family’s goal is to inspire fellow members to give generously before December 15, 2022, to match their $350,000 grant. Donate Now! Childhood memories of immersing themselves in the wilderness around what is…
Read MoreEcologically Rare Nevins Property Donated to Door County Land Trust
Two parcels of shoreline property with high ecological significance have been donated recently to the Door County Land Trust by the Nevins family’s third generation owners. Once full-time residents of Door County, Susan, Nancy, and Lori Nevins donated property totaling 9.27 acres near the Village of Egg Harbor in memory of their conservationist parents. The…
Read MoreThe Big Plant: Native Tree and Plant Give-Away 2023
Native Plant and Tree Give-Away Aims to Improve Wildlife Habitat Throughout Door County Upcoming tree and plant giveaway events: 2023 Dates to be announced *** How to Plant Trees and Perennials: How to plant The native tree and plant give-away is a part of The Big Plant coordinated by the Climate Change Coalition of Door…
Read MoreLeadership Transition Planned at Door County Land Trust
Dear Friend, For every thing there is a season. After five years at the helm of Door County Land Trust, I have made the difficult decision that it is time for my wife Lisa and I to return to Illinois to be closer to family. It is with both sadness and anticipation of new opportunities…
Read MoreTwo Gifts of Land Donated to Door County Land Trust
Two Gifts of Land Donated to Door County Land Trust Washington Island, WI— In this season of giving, Door County Land Trust is thrilled to announce that two gifts of land on Washington Island are now permanently protected. The permanent conservation of these lands ensures that forests remain intact, that wildlife move freely across the…
Read MoreFond du Lac has returned!
Fond du Lac has returned! Fond du Lac, the snowy owl who visited Door County in 2020, has returned after an absence of 18 months! Fond du Lac, a fourth-year female, was trapped and tagged by Project SNOWstorm on Feb. 23, 2020, near Waupun, WI. She was fitted with a cell phone transmitter that…
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From Farm to Forest
Hilltop Conservation Easement
From Farm to Forest: Hilltop Conservation Easement near Mink River Estuary Ellison Bay, WI – Door County Land Trust is excited to announce a newly protected property in Northern Door County. Working with Door County Land Trust, landowner Lisa Barker voluntarily donated a conservation easement on her property, protecting it from future development…
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Wetland, Woodland, and Wild land
Protected in Southern Door County
Wetland, Woodland, and Wild Land Protected in Southern Door County Door County, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the permanent protection of one mile of stream bank along Stony Creek in southern Door County. This is the first time a conservation organization has purchased land within the 13-mile Stony…
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Chambers Island Nature Preserve Grows
with a Key Addition Near Marina
Chambers Island Nature Preserve Grows with a Key Addition Near Marina Chambers Island, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the addition of a newly protected parcel at the Chambers Island Nature Preserve. The new property contains a mature upland forest with red oak and butternut, and an open meadow.…
Read MoreHigh Quality Forest Protected at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp
High Quality Forest Protected at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Ephraim, WI – Door County Land Trust is happy to announce the protection of ecologically rich forest and wetland habitat within the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Area. The addition of this protected property is an exciting step toward preserving the coastal wetlands and natural filtration abilities…
Read MoreHow to Stay Safe During Hunting Season
Door County Land Trust nature preserves accommodate a wide variety of public uses including hiking, cross country skiing, wildlife observation, scientific research, and hunting. In order to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors to our nature preserves, we ask hikers to review hunting safety guidelines and be aware during the season. Hunting…
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Hiking during hunting season:
how to stay safe
Door County Land Trust nature preserves accommodate a wide variety of public uses including hiking, cross country skiing, wildlife observation, scientific research, and hunting. In order to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors to our nature preserves, we ask hikers to review hunting safety guidelines and be aware during the season. Hunting…
Read MoreReserve your copy of Shoreline at the Edge: Door County’s Lakeside Forests and Wetlands!
The above photo of Kangaroo Lake is one of twenty aerialscapes photographed from an airplane by Paul M. Lurie featured in the new book, “A Shoreline at the Edge: Door County’s Lakeside Forests and Wetlands.” Through a generous donation from Paul Lurie, Door County Land Trust is making the book available for free to the…
Read MoreCan 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…
Read MoreDoor 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…
Read MoreReading 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…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreLand 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…
Read MoreAnonymous 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…
Read MoreHigh-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…
Read MoreDoor 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…
Read More20 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…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MorePollinator 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…
Read MoreDoor 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…
Read MoreLove 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.
Read MoreSnowy 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…
Read MoreNature 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…
Read MoreRecent 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…
Read MoreBig 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…
Read MoreHigh-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,…
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Landings Journal –
News Splash winter 2019-2020
Read our 2019-2020 Winter Landings News Splash!
Read MoreCelebrate 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…
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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…
Read MoreSurge 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…
Read MoreAnnouncing 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…
Read MoreConservationists 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…
Read MoreNew 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…
Read MoreHeadwater 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.…
Read MoreHeadwaters 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…
Read More9 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…
Read MoreChambers 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…
Read MoreDoor 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…
Read MoreLandings News Splash – Winter 2018
Read our 2018 Winter Landings News Splash!
Read MoreThe 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 –
Read MoreIslands 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…
Read MoreCalling 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…
Read MorePitcher’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:
Read MoreVolunteer 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…
Read MoreVolunteer 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…
Read MoreParticipate 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…
Read MoreBay 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 MoreShake 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…
Read MoreBay 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…
Read MoreNew 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…
Read MoreNew 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…
Read MoreHabitat 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…
Read MoreGrants 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…
Read MoreInvestments 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…
Read MoreVolunteer 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.…
Read MoreHoliday 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…
Read MoreNewly 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…
Read MoreLandings – 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.
Read MoreGift 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…
Read MoreMapping 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…
Read MoreRestoring 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,…
Read MoreAnnual Gathering Held to Celebrate 8,000 Acres of Land Protected
“The Grand View Scenic Overlook and Park is a shining example of the passion of this community to protect its most precious resource—the land. ” This was the message from executive director Tom Clay on August 20 as he spoke to a crowd of more than 300 people who were gathered at the Liberty Grove…
Read MoreDoor County Land Trust Protects 37 Acres Near Rowleys Bay
Door County Land Trust Protects 37 Acres near Rowleys Bay In late August, landowners Bruce and Joan Pikas donated a 37-acre conservation easement on their boreal forest tract to the Door County Land Trust. The conservation easement adds to existing protected land in the area which includes several other conservation easements, The Nature Conservancy’s Mink…
Read MoreJoin us at the Bay Shore Blufflands Buckthorn Blast Kick-off Event!
You are invited to join us for a community gathering to kick-off the Bay Shore Blufflands Buckthorn Blast project September 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m.! Learn about the invasive species and unique ecology of the Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve. Take a hike with staff experts and meet stewardship volunteers committed to the Buckthorn Blast. Sign up…
Read More8,000 Acre Milestone!
The Door County Land Trust announced today that in its 30th year, we have now surpassed 8,000 Door County acres protected from development through the addition of 106 acres to the Chambers Island Nature Preserve. We are pleased that with this most recent acquisition we surpassed two milestones—8,000 acres protected in perpetuity and at 593…
Read MoreWe need your vote to purchase the islands!
Town of Gibraltar voters – We need your vote to purchase the islands in Lake Mackaysee on Chambers Island! Wednesday, August 2, 6 pm, Town of Gibraltar Special Agenda The two islands in Mackaysee Lake on Chambers Island owned by the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands are being sold. The islands can be…
Read MoreDoor County Land Trust Surpasses 8,000 Acres Protected
106 Acres Added to Chambers Island Nature Preserve The Door County Land Trust announces today that it has now surpassed 8,000 acres protected from development through the addition of 106 acres to the Chambers Island Nature Preserve. Door County Land Trust Executive Director Tom Clay says, “We are pleased that with this most recent acquisition…
Read More120 Acres of Coastal Wetland Property Protected!
Door County Land Trust Protects Wetlands at the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Area Sturgeon Bay, WI July 15, 2017 – The Door County Land Trust (DCLT) is pleased to announce it has protected 120 acres of coastal wetland property in the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Area. The property was acquired from landowner John Wehling,…
Read MoreVolunteer at Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve!
Join the fun at our next Door Stewardship Alliance work day at Door County Land Trust’s Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve on Tuesday, July 11th. The work will consist of clearing vegetation encroaching into the trail corridor as well as replacing parking area posts. We will meet at the preserve parking area located at 5519…
Read MoreDoor County Land Trust Acquires Critical Habitat on Chambers Island
The Door County land Trust (DCLT) is proud to announce first, the acquisition of 113 additional acres for the Chambers Island Nature Preserve and second, a $150,000 grant from the David V Uihlein Sr. Foundation of Milwaukee toward acquisition of additional land for the preserve.
Read MoreGet to Know the Three Springs Nature Preserve
Get a glimpse of one of the Door County Land Trust‘s hidden gems, the Harold C. Wilson Three Springs Preserve, and learn more about the significance of this property here >>
Read MoreBirds of Washington Island
Washington Island birder and volunteer photographer Melody Walsh shares these photos, fresh from the Island! Washington Island is known for its charm and relaxed pace of life, but did you know the island is also home to a wide variety of birds? Spring is a great time to see the feathers residents of the island,…
Read MoreStudents with Shovels: A Tree Planting Story
In pre-settlement times, Door County was covered shore to shore in dense forests. Our native plant communities and wildlife habitat depend on quality contiguous forests. Last week, at Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve, students from Sturgeon Bay High School worked alongside staff and volunteers to plant more than 2,500 trees, including white pine, white cedar, chokecherry,…
Read MoreMay 2017 eNews . Letter from the Executive Director
The season of visitors has begun on the Door Peninsula. Our travel-weary friends came from South and Central America, Gulf of Mexico environs and Southern United States locales. Many arrived under the cover of darkness, riding the southerly currents of low pressure weather systems. And upon their arrival, they feed, rest and commence their…
Read MoreVolunteers working to inventory invasive species
Mapping and inventorying invasive species not only tells us what is present, but allows us to be strategic and prioritize our efforts going forward. Volunteers worked to inventory and map invasive species at Oak Road Nature Preserve in 2016 so treatments could begin this spring, in June of 2017. Now, volunteers are following these maps…
Read MorePlant Surveys, Species Inventories, Bird Counts and more!
The Door County Land Trust relies on volunteers to gather vital pieces of information in the field. Projects include spring bird counts, identifying invasive plants and more. The information gathered through these projects helps to show the value of land protection and restoration efforts. To volunteer for citizen monitoring projects, please contact [email protected]
Read MoreHelp Us Plant Trees at Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve
Thursday, April 27, 2017 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve 6749 County G, South of Egg Harbor Join us for an afternoon of tree planting to celebrate Earth Week! We are continuing our efforts to plant native seedlings at our Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve. Please meet just north of the preserve parking…
Read MoreNative Landscaping “Spruce”-Up
Tuesday, April 18, 2017 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 23 North 5th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay Are you looking for fun, fresh air and the opportunity to dig in to some wildness right here in the middle of the city? Join us to help “spruce” up the native woodland landscape at the Door County Land Trust’s…
Read MoreSustain Our Great Lakes Grant
This key grant will help restore Door County Ramsar wetlands through removal of invasive species. Read more… This key grant will help restore Door County Ramsar wetlands through removal of invasive species. Read more… This key grant will help restore Door County Ramsar wetlands through removal of invasive species. Read more… This key grant will help restore Door…
Read MoreFrom Conservation Vision to Nature Preserve
Land Selection Process Is a Grand Equation for the Door County Land Trust By Laurel Hauser With 308,480 total acres of land in Door County and natural features as diverse as bluffs, forests, farmland, cedar swamps, streams, and lakeshore, how does the Land Trust decide which properties are most deserving of protection? This question goes…
Read MoreSaving the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has been providing funding to the state, local governments, land trusts, and other non-profits to protect land for more than 25 years. This fund has been vital to protecting Door County’s exceptional lands and waters. Wisconsin’s latest budget proposal maintains funding for this program, but community support is needed to ensure…
Read MoreLawrence University, Door County Land Trust sign conservation easement agreement to preserve 305 acres of Björklunden property
Baileys Harbor, WI An agreement between Lawrence University and the Door County Land Trust (DCLT) will preserve more than 300 acres of Bjorklunden, the college’s 441-acre estate south of Baileys Harbor, from future development. Representatives from Lawrence and the DCLT signed a conservation easement agreement Thursday, Nov. 17 in the Björklunden lodge that will preserve and…
Read MoreThe Door County Land Trust Creates a New Conservation Easement at Claybanks Creek in Southern Door
Sturgeon Bay, WI November 14, 2016 – While “looking for a campground” as a young family, Ann and John Bladholm discovered a 40-acre woodland nestled along Claybanks Creek in Southern Door County. There, John and Ann would spend many years vacationing and in retirement, loving the land and exposing their children and countless guests to…
Read MoreA New Conservation Easement Protects Stream and Forest in Southern Door
While “looking for a campground” Ann and John Bladholm discovered a 40-acre woodland nestled along Claybanks Creek in Southern Door County. There, John and Ann would spend many years, loving the land and exposing their children and countless guests to the wonders of nature. In an effort to protect the land’s precious natural state…
Read MoreProtecting Wetlands for Green-eyed Dragonflies
Three Land Purchases Ensure Protection of Water and Wetlands By Julie Schartner, Land Project Manager Once believed to be extinct and now found in only four states, the Hine’s emerald dragonfly is among the most endangered dragonflies in the United States. The largest population is found here— in Door County, Wisconsin. Through land purchases at…
Read More10-acre addition at the Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve
We at the Door County Land Trust are excited to tell you of our recent 10-acre addition at the Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve. The acquisition protects a key parcel, extending the contiguous forest cover needed to sustain this unique and fragile ecosystem along the Niagara Escarpment. We encourage you to take a hike and enjoy…
Read MoreDoor County Land Trust Earns National Recognition
Sturgeon Bay, WI August 18, 2016 – The Door County Land Trust announced today it has achieved accreditation – a mark of distinction in land conservation. The nationally-recognized Land Trust Accreditation Commission awards accreditation to land trusts that meet standards for excellence, uphold the public trust and ensure that their conservation efforts are permanent. Cathy…
Read MoreAnnual Gathering celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Door County Land Trust
On Sunday, August 14, 300 members, volunteers and friends gathered to celebrate 30 years of protecting Door County’s exceptional land and waters. The Annual Gathering was held at the first property ever protected by the Door County Land Trust, a property protected by Conservation Easement agreement by Ruth Neuman in 1986, which is now cared…
Read More170th bird species recorded on Chambers Island
For a small, four-square-mile island, Chambers Island’s list of nesting and migratory birds includes a remarkable number of species deemed as rare, endangered, special concern or of greatest conservation need. For the birds, Chambers Island provides a safe resting stop on their migration or a summer nesting site to raise their young. Earlier this…
Read MoreVolunteer Opportunity – Three Springs Nature Preserve
Join the Door County Land Trust for a morning of work at Three Springs Nature Preserve to control non-native scotch pine. Scotch pine is a coniferous tree in the pine family (Pinaceae) that strives in old fields and open forested areas like at Three Springs. We have worked here in the past to control scotch…
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Door County Land Trust