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 story of land protection supports the greater narrative that Door County is special, and that this community is passionate about its protection. Here, we revisit a few of these stories, as told by the people who made them possible. Each quote is from an article you can read at Blog – Door County Land Trust.
Mature forest and decaying logs support fungi, mosses, and other species on the 40-acre Pate property, recently donated to Door County Land Trust in memory of Fritz Renner.
“It always felt slightly mystical.”—Ariel Pate, describing the Egg Harbor property she donated to the land trust in honor of her father. Preserving the Magic – A daughter’s gift becomes a legacy of protection – Door County Land Trust
Rebecca Barnard and her niece smile for a selfie during their annual turkey feather hunting expedition on land protected this year through a conservation easement with the land trust.
“Aunt Becca, if we find one more feather, we’re going to find the BIRD!” —Rebecca Barnard’s four-year-old niece during a turkey feather hunting expedition on her land in Sevastopol. Becca’s Bluff Protected with Conservation Easement – Door County Land Trust
Buzz and Sue stand next to the sign placed by DCLT which designates their land in Sister Bay as a conservation easement.
“It feels wonderful to preserve this land as my parents intended,” —Buzz Madsen, talking about the conservation easement placed on the property he and his wife share in Sister Bay. From Danish Island to Door County: Generations of Forest Protection – Door County Land Trust
A view of the escarpment and Green Bay from Ellison Bluff County Park, which borders a property conserved with the Door County Land Trust through a conservation easement. Established in 1950, Door County Parks Board declared, “the limestone headlands, as they emerge out of the blue waters of Green Bay, are geologically one of the most outstanding natural monuments in our country. They must be preserved.”
“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” —Greek proverb quoted by Jim Gearen while discussing his decision to donate a conservation easement on his property in Ellison Bay. Land Trust Partners with Landowner to Preserve Escarpment – Door County Land Trust
With this conservation easement, Hitzeman joins a growing number of landowners partnering with the Door County Land Trust to protect the region’s natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and ecological integrity.
“Sometimes she knocks on my window, so I put a cob of corn outside for her,” —Carolyn Hitzeman, referring to a lone turkey that occasionally visits her property. Ellison Bay Landowner Helps Wildlife Thrive with Conservation Easement – Door County Land Trust
Carrie smiles, not only because of the satisfying work she’s doing, but also because she enjoys the chance to get in the field!
“They work so hard without complaint, and with pure dedication to improving habitat.” —Carrie Ehrfurth, talking about the land trust’s stewardship team during a workday on Washington Island. Earning Blisters for the Birds – Door County Land Trust
Chris Nelson donated his wooded property on Washington Island to Door County Land Trust to preserve the natural beauty and unique geological features for future generations.
“Most important in our minds was the desire to make a remarkable parcel of land available to the general public so that more people could come to see the untouched woodlands and the beautiful geological formations.” —Chris Nelson, on why he and his wife decided to donate land for conservation. Nelson Woodland Natural Area a Hidden Escarpment Sanctuary on Washington Island – Door County Land Trust
Wooded land in Ellison Bay protected with a conservation easement by Mike Schmitz
“I look at the trees, the birds, and whisper, ‘Enjoy it out there. No one is ever going to disturb you.’” —Mike Schmitz, donor of two conservation easements in Ellison Bay. Ellison Bay Landowner Protects Additional Door County Landscape with Second Conservation Easement – Door County Land Trust
Thanks to you, wonderful supporter, these lands and more have been saved from development and protected forever, so that future generations may enjoy the natural splendor of Door County for years to come! Thank you!
