A group of community members walks along a sunlit forest trail during a guided nature hike at a Door County Land Trust preserve

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy

Guided Hike

Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future: A 40th Anniversary Hike at Kangaroo Lake

Thursday, September 24, 2026 1:00 – 3:00 pm
A group of community members walks along a sunlit forest trail during a guided nature hike at a Door County Land Trust preserve

Join the Door County Land Trust for a special guided hike at Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve as we celebrate 40 years of protecting Door County’s treasured landscapes. This commemorative walk will highlight the preserve’s natural beauty, the importance of land conservation, and the lasting impact of community stewardship.

The event will also honor Terrie Cooper, whose decades of dedication to conservation and the Door County Land Trust have helped protect the places we cherish today. During the program, we will recognize her extraordinary contributions with the dedication of a trail in her name.

Following the dedication, Terrie Cooper and fellow naturalists will lead a guided hike through the preserve, sharing stories of its history, unique natural features, and the conservation efforts that have shaped this special place. As the Door County Land Trust’s first nature preserve, Kangaroo Lake holds a special place in the organization’s history and conservation legacy. Along the way, participants will also learn about the longstanding partnership between the Door County Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy in protecting and stewarding this remarkable landscape, demonstrating how collaboration has helped conserve the ecological integrity of the Kangaroo Lake watershed. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or visiting for the first time, this hike offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate four decades of conservation, connect with the landscape, and honor the people whose passion and commitment continue to protect Door County for future generations.

Please note that this guided hike will cover approximately 2 miles over uneven, hilly terrain. Participants should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for moderate hiking conditions.

Weather date: In the event of inclement weather, the hike will be held Friday, September 25.

Program Leader

Terrie Cooper & fellow naturalists

What to Bring

Sturdy footwear and preparation for moderate hiking conditions.

Trail Information

Distance: ~2 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Terrain: Uneven, hilly terrain

Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve

About This Preserve

Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve

The preserve where it all began. Along Kangaroo Lake, the preserve protects a remarkable descent from an ancient glacial shoreline ridge down 130 feet to spring-fed Peil Creek and a boreal lakeshore teeming with wildlife.

278 acres1.5 mi of trailsTown of Baileys Harbor
Kangaroo Lake stretches wide under a blue sky scattered with white clouds, tall reeds rising from shallows with a wooded shoreline in the distance.
Morning mist drifts across still water at sunrise, weathered wooden posts leaning above the surface as soft orange light washes the distant treeline.
An aerial autumn view of Peil Creek winding through dense evergreen and fiery maple forest toward the bay, with a curving sandy shoreline beyond.

Terrain

EasyModerateNatural surface

What You'll See

ForestlakeBluffcreekcedar-swampold-fieldsescarpmentScenic overlookfossilsancient-shoreline-ridge

Facilities

🅿️ Parking
Explore full preserve details

Our Business Members

The Door County Land Trust sincerely thanks the following businesses for their support. Please thank them for helping protect Door County's exceptional lands and waters when you patronize their businesses.

Platinum Members

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik
Dave's Tree Services
Door County Ice Cream Factory & Sandwich Shoppe
RBC Wealth Management - David Harris
Brian Frisque Surveys Inc
Main Street Market - Egg Harbor

Gold Members

Door County Medical Center
Blacksmith Inn on the Shore
Godfrey & Kahn
White Gull Inn

Silver Members

Alibi Marina
Door Born
Jack and Jill Landscape Co
Pinkert Law Firm LLP
Waterfront Restaurant
Dromhus
Kick Ash

Bronze Members

Become a Business Member

Join fellow local businesses in supporting land conservation. Business members receive recognition, networking opportunities, and the satisfaction of protecting the places that make Door County special.

Learn About Business Membership