Guide to Significant Wildlife Habitat - Door County Web Map

— Introduction —
Natural landscapes and wildlife matter to people in Wisconsin and Door County. Nature and its
seasonal patterns marked by fall colors, the annual migration of waterfowl and songbirds, and the spring
explosion of budding trees and wildflowers are so much a part of people’s everyday lives that we can not
imagine being without them.
But as the pressures of growth and a tourism economy accelerate, what will it take to protect
these natural resources distributed across the county? Practically speaking, we must consider the
economic aspects. We want communities to prosper. Can we afford to protect significant parcels of land
and leave them in a wild and natural condition? Our first response is we can't afford not to, however,
easy answers or single solutions are not possible. Most likely solutions will have to be tailored to the
uniqueness of the landscape and the specific needs of each landowner.
Economic vitality may be one of the best reasons for maintaining undeveloped lands in and
around our communities. Natural areas have a positive impact on property values of adjacent lands, and
when kept in their natural or native state serve many practical functions, including moderation of
stormwater runoff, abatement of surface and groundwater pollution, erosion control and air quality
enhancement. There are many tangible economic benefits that are associated with natural areas. Local
businesses in many communities rely on revenues generated by tourism related activities from the public
enjoyment of wildlife, natural areas and open space.
Natural areas improve the overall livability of a community, offering not only quality air and
drinking water, but also scenic beauty and opportunities for low-impact recreation, such as birdwatching,
fishing and hiking, which can be enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike. Communities with
generous natural areas and open spaces are considered by many as good places for children, and offer a
high quality of life for everyone in the community.
Any serious cost to benefit analysis will look beyond the simplistic notion that development
equals an increased tax base, and will tell us that we quite literally can't afford not to protect natural areas.
To a great degree, the reason most of us live in or visit Door County is for the pleasures we derive from
these undeveloped and natural landscapes. If we lose them and the benefits they offer — the quality of
our lives and our children’s lives will have been diminished. Even for those who do not derive direct
pleasures from the enjoyment of natural areas, the local economy is largely dependent upon their
existence, by virtue of the tourists that they attract.
The preservation of significant areas of undeveloped landscape can result in a host of benefits to
the local community. However, some of these are not generally recognized, and others tend to be taken
for granted. Below, are some of the advantages of leaving these landscapes in an undeveloped condition.
Storehouse of biological diversity
Among the many things that make Door County attractive to residents and tourists alike, are the
widespread natural habitats, and the wildlife they support. It is the high quality of these ecosystems that
make them so appealing, due in large part to their high level of ecological integrity. Among the factors
contributing to Door County’s unique and rare environments is its location as a major peninsula of the
Lake Michigan coast and the effects of the dolostone bedrock on surface drainage and water chemistry.
These and other factors, combined with relatively low levels of development, help to support
habitats for numerous species of rare plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the
state.
– Introduction – 11