Guide to Significant Wildlife Habitat - Door County Web Map

• Deer herbivory is widespread (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999). A high diversity of forest birds
including many warbler species was noted in 1988 (Zimmerman 1989).
• There is one rare plant species present on the island (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999.) Rare roadside
flowers were reported in the late 1980’s (Zimmerman 1989).
• The aesthetic value of Cana Island is primarily its quality scenic and natural views. Many consider
the Cana lighthouse representative of all island lighthouses on the Door Peninsula.
Hat Island
Hat Island is named for its shape. It is less than 2.5 acres in size, sitting low in Green Bay 2 miles
from the Door Peninsula between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek. The island was once forested, however
only a few dead skeletal remains of cottonwoods still stand and a small colony of dutchman’s breeches at
the highest point (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999).
• Hat Island is in the Town of Egg Harbor. Egg Harbor utilizes an independent planning commission
with a sub-division ordinance. The Egg Harbor Town Board enacted a moratorium on commercial
development from January 1998 to March 1999. Under the ‘master development plan’ wetlands,
forests, the Niagara Escarpment and open space will be protected. The Nature Conservancy is
working with the town to identify high quality natural resources in Egg Harbor (Grimm 2001).
• Hat Island is privately owned. Land use is predominantly natural area.
• Soils are nearly level to sloping on old glacial lake beach ridges. Dolostone bedrock is at a depth of
40 or more inches (USDA SCS 1978).
• Vegetation is comprised of dead cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Dutchman’s breeches, red
raspberry, wild black currant (Ribes americanum), chokecherry, and red-berried elder. Invasive
exotic plants include motherwort and catnip (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999).
• Hat Island is a breeding ground for herring gulls and cormorants (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999).
• There are no known rare plant or animal species on Hat Island (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999).
Adventure (Strawberry, or Big Strawberry) Island
Adventure Island is approximately 20 acres and is located approximately 2 miles northwest of
Fish Creek. The island was popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s as a boys summer camp. A Milwaukee
Public Museum expedition made several plant collections in July of 1897 (Judziewicz and Kopitzke
1999).
• Strawberry Island is in the Town of Gibraltar. Gibraltar has adopted the county’s zoning ordinance.
• The island is privately owned and maintained as natural area. Because of intense past human activity,
native vegetation has been severely altered (Judziewicz and Kopitzke 1999).
• Soils are nearly level to sloping on old glacial lake beach ridges. Dolostone bedrock is at a depth of
40 or more inches (USDA SCS 1978).
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Grand Traverse Islands