News, updates, and dispatches from Door County's protected places.https://doorcountylandtrust.org/en-ushttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/hunting-seasons-open-september-12/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/hunting-seasons-open-september-12/Wisconsin's archery and crossbow deer season opens Saturday, September 12, with more fall seasons to follow. Many Land Trust preserves are open to hunting, and every preserve stays open to hikers year-round. Here is what hunters and hikers should know to share the land safely this fall.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHuntingHiking & RecreationWildlifehttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/callsen-ce/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/callsen-ce/While the Door County Land Trust (DCLT) is most known for the public preserves like Kangaroo Lake, Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Three Springs and more, a lesser known and equally important tool used to protect our peninsula is partnerships with local landowners through a conservation easement, which protects privately-owned land from future development. One such easement that has recently been brought into the fold of DCLT protection is thanks to the generosity of Vonnie and Dave Callsen. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTEmily Baker - Membership Program ManagerConservation EasementsLand Protectionhttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/annualgatheringsuccess/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/annualgatheringsuccess/The Door County Land Trust (DCLT) is pleased to announce the success of the organization’s Annual Gathering fundraiser, the Giving Creek, which raised a record $390,550 in donations in support of land protection...Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucia HodkiewiczEventsDonor Impacthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/proposedlittlesturgeonestuarynaturepreserve/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/proposedlittlesturgeonestuarynaturepreserve/For more than a decade, the Door County Land Trust has hoped to protect the Little Sturgeon Estuary and its surrounding watershed—a remarkable and ecologically significant landscape in northeastern Wisconsin.\ Scientists identified the Little Sturgeon Estuary as one of Door County’s highest-priority conservation areas because...Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucia HodkiewiczLand ProtectionWater & WetlandsHiking & Recreationhttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/new-land-protection-washington-island-wetlands/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/new-land-protection-washington-island-wetlands/Door County Land Trust has permanently protected 20 acres of high-quality wetlands in the Big and Little Marsh State Natural Area on Washington Island, expanding habitat for migratory birds, rare plants, and the endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly.Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionWater & WetlandsWildlifehttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/daughters-land-donation-fulfils-egg-harbor-couples-dream-to-conserve-escarpment-forever/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/daughters-land-donation-fulfils-egg-harbor-couples-dream-to-conserve-escarpment-forever/Door County, WI—The late Susan and Donald Gauger of the Town of Egg Harbor had their final wishes honored by their daughter, Elizabeth Gauger, with the completion of a land donation to the Door County Land Trust. Last December, Elizabeth transferred ownership of 4.2 acres to the Land Trust that she inherited from her…Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionNiagara EscarpmentForestshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/matching-challenge-aims-to-protect-16th-nature-preserve/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/matching-challenge-aims-to-protect-16th-nature-preserve/Written by Lucia Hodkiewicz, Communications Coordinator Door County, WI – The Land Trust is launching a $25,000 matching challenge to double the amount of donations made as part of a $750,000 private fundraising campaign for a newly proposed 338-acre nature preserve. This project would protect an important watershed and wildlife habitat in Southern Door and safeguard land that encompasses the waters of Kayes Creek and Twin Harbor Creek.…Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczDonor ImpactLand ProtectionWater & Wetlandshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/16th-nature-preserve-proposed/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/16th-nature-preserve-proposed/Originally published in Landings Magazine in June 2026 Door County Land Trust is pleased to share an exciting opportunity to protect 338 acres of land in Southern Door at the mouth of Kayes Creek. This project has been many years in the making and offers the chance to protect one of Green Bay’s most exceptional…Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionWater & WetlandsWildlifehttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/kellner-fen-protection-expands-with-significant-acquisition/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/kellner-fen-protection-expands-with-significant-acquisition/Door County, WI – Door County Land Trust recently expanded protection of a fragile wetland with the largest acquisition yet for the Kellner Fen Natural Area. 149 acres were purchased in a bargain sale from Dennis and Susan Garrity earlier this year. The acquisition preserves globally important ridge-and-swale landscape and habitat for rare species…Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionWater & WetlandsWildlifehttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/join-the-bumble-bee-brigade-help-monitor-wisconsins-native-bumble-bees/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/join-the-bumble-bee-brigade-help-monitor-wisconsins-native-bumble-bees/What if your next walk through a nature preserve could help protect one of Wisconsin’s most important—and increasingly vulnerable—pollinators? This season, the Door County Land Trust is inviting community members to join the Bumble Bee Brigade, a statewide citizen science effort working to better understand and conserve Wisconsin’s native bumble bees. Coordinated by the Wisconsin…Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczCitizen ScienceVolunteersWildlifehttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/pollinator-observation-days-help-protect-pollinators-at-the-ship-canal-dunes/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/pollinator-observation-days-help-protect-pollinators-at-the-ship-canal-dunes/This summer, you can help scientists better understand pollinators—and all it takes is 10 minutes of observation. Community members are invited to take part in Pollinator Observation Days at the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve, a weekly citizen science opportunity that offers a chance to contribute to conservation while exploring one of Door County’s…Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczCitizen ScienceVolunteersWildlifeNative Plantshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/native-plant-giveaway-returns-2/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/native-plant-giveaway-returns-2/Door County Land Trust is once again giving away free native plants to celebrate Earth Month in partnership with the Big Plant, organized by the Climate Change Coalition of Door County. Native perennials and trees will be given away in the Epicenter parking lot on Saturday May 9th at 10am until supplies run out.…Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczEventsNative PlantsVolunteershttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/earth-day-event-wisconsin-wildlife-presentation/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/earth-day-event-wisconsin-wildlife-presentation/The Door County Land Trust and Crossroads at Big Creek are thrilled to co-host a special Earth Day event, Wisconsin Wildlife, featuring renowned professional wildlife photographer and speaker John Van Den Brandt. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, April 22, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at the Collins Learning Center Auditorium at Crossroads…Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczEventsWildlifeEducationhttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/almost-too-late-for-stewardship-program/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/almost-too-late-for-stewardship-program/This week’s Senate hearing on Knowles‑Nelson made one thing crystal clear: hunters, anglers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts all called for one thing—real investment in land acquisition. Yet much of the committee discussion centered on revisiting a 2024 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that was settled decisively and unanimously, rather than attend to the urgent conservation needs facing Wisconsin today. Only…Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczAdvocacyhttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/peaceful-meadow-preserved-in-island-nature-preserve-expansion/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/peaceful-meadow-preserved-in-island-nature-preserve-expansion/Thanks to generous member support, Door County Land Trust has expanded Domer-Neff Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary on Washington Island through a 9.5-acre purchase from lifelong islander Daniel Nerenhausen completed in December. Protection of this parcel keeps critical habitat intact for wildlife, extends restoration efforts, and expands recreation opportunities for the community. It…Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionBirdsRestorationhttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/the-voices-of-land-protection-in-2025/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/the-voices-of-land-protection-in-2025/Door County Land Trust is celebrating the generosity of the community that has made 2025 a special year in land protection. Recently, three separate donors gave gifts of land to the land trust, permanently protecting nature for future generations. Additionally, nine properties were protected this year through purchases made possible thanks to generous donors. Each…Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionConservation EasementsDonor Impacthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/preserving-the-magic-a-daughters-gift-becomes-a-legacy-of-protection/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/preserving-the-magic-a-daughters-gift-becomes-a-legacy-of-protection/As a child, Ariel Pate would occasionally visit her family’s wooded 40-acre property in northern Door County with her father, Fritz Renner. Each visit felt magical. “It always felt slightly mystical,” she recalls. Nestled in the headwaters of the West Branch of Whitefish Bay Creek, the land quietly held a vernal stream and thick stands…Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTDon KrumposLand ProtectionForestsWater & Wetlandshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/from-danish-island-to-door-county-generations-of-forest-protection/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/from-danish-island-to-door-county-generations-of-forest-protection/In the 70s, Carl “Buzz” Madsen’s father planted thousands of trees on the family property in Sister Bay, now protected forever by a conservation easement A forest planted by a Danish forest manager in the 1800s is shaping a Door County family’s conservation legacy today. Last October, Carl J. “Buzz” and Stephany Madsen protected 38…Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczConservation EasementsLand ProtectionForestshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/earning-blisters-for-the-birds/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/earning-blisters-for-the-birds/(Top) Author Carrie smiles, not only because of the satisfying work she’s doing, but also because she enjoys the chance to get in the field! (Botton) A magnolia warbler, which relies on shrubs for food and cover during migration, including on Washington Island! It took our stewardship team—plus 17 volunteers and three borrowed office workers—six…Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczRestorationVolunteersBirdsStewardshiphttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/nelson-woodland-natural-area-a-hidden-escarpment-sanctuary-on-washington-island/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/nelson-woodland-natural-area-a-hidden-escarpment-sanctuary-on-washington-island/Unique limestone features at Nelson Woodland Natural Area. Photo by Rex Meikle Door County Land Trust is honored to announce the protection of a remarkable 20-acre property on Washington Island, donated by Christopher Nelson, who has made Washington Island a second home for nearly four decades. The land, a secluded beech maple forest off of…Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionForestsNiagara Escarpmenthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/worker-bee-volunteer-spotlight/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/worker-bee-volunteer-spotlight/Spotlight on Volunteer Kris Smith She puts her back into it! Kris swings a mallet overhead, working to remove a post from the ground on a volunteer workday at Camp Cuesta. Kris was cutting catnip in her garden when I called. Her day’s plans to collect little bluestem seeds “got skunked” due to rain, but…Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczVolunteersStewardshipNative Plantshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/why-hunters-sit-at-the-conservation-table/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/why-hunters-sit-at-the-conservation-table/Original post from DoorBorn.com By Rex Meikle I’m a hunter, and I say that proudly. If my statement evoked a sense of disconnect, an eye roll, or even an “ick,” I encourage you to set your preconceived notions aside and read through this article with an open mind. Hunters have largely been othered by many…Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczHuntingWildlifehttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/thanks-giving/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/thanks-giving/Sturgeon Bay, WI— Door County Land Trust invites friends, neighbors, and supporters to come together for an evening of gratitude and celebration during “Thanks-Giving: What You’ve Helped Save,” a free virtual event happening Wednesday, November 19, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This virtual gathering is a chance for the community to share stories and reflect…Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczEventsDonor Impacthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/our-strategy-for-land-protection/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/our-strategy-for-land-protection/How do we determine which lands to protect? On a peninsula with over 300,000 acres, countless diverse natural features, and development pressure increasing, safeguarding Door County’s ecological wellbeing is an urgent challenge. Door County’s Ecological Health: A Conservation Puzzle At Door County Land Trust, we love puzzles. In our breakroom, pieces often cover half the…Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczLand ProtectionEducationhttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/stony-creek-prairie/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/stony-creek-prairie/(Left) Stony Creek Natural Area in Spring. (Right) Stony Creek Natural Area in Summer. This narrow stretch in Southern Door was planted in row crops for years. The area contains a natural spring which feeds into Stony Creek, a Lake Michigan tributary. In addition to being a difficult location to grow crops, run-off from…Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczRestorationNative PlantsWater & Wetlandshttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/warnermatchingchallenge/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/warnermatchingchallenge/David Warner was a lover of nature and wished to protect it. He took up guitar and spent many hours practicing outdoors. A Fall Matching Gift Challenge has been launched for the Door County Land Trust’s 2025 Conservation and Stewardship Campaign to support the completion of a remarkable 15 land protection projects this year. …Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTLucy HodkiewiczDonor Impacthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/boots-on-the-ground-scenes-from-the-field/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/boots-on-the-ground-scenes-from-the-field/  Chatting with our Seasonal Stewardship Assistant, Maykaylee Kuhn Lucy: Describe your favorite project you worked on this summer. What made it enjoyable?...Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTStewardshipRestorationBirdsStaff & Careershttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/new-land-protected-in-kellner-fen-natural-area/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/new-land-protected-in-kellner-fen-natural-area/Aerial view of Kellner Fen Natural Area by Jeff Lutsey. Fascinating Fen Forever Protected Recently, Door County Land Trust protected a small but significant...Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTLand ProtectionWater & WetlandsDonor Impacthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/your-donations-doubled-through-july/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/your-donations-doubled-through-july/  Mary Prindiville has committed to matching all donations to Door County Land Trust through July 31 st up to $25,000. She appreciates the beauty of Door...Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTDonor Impacthttps://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/urgent-advocacy-needed-conservation-funding-at-risk-in-wisconsin/https://doorcountylandtrust.org/stories/urgent-advocacy-needed-conservation-funding-at-risk-in-wisconsin/Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program: Learn the FAQs This is bigger than Door County. This call for advocacy goes out to all Wisconsinites, and all who visit and...Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTAdvocacy