Guide to Significant Wildlife Habitat - Door County Web Map

— Preface —
This publication represents the collective efforts of a group of individuals whose intent is to help
preserve Door County’s communities of plants and animals and their habitats. Many people acknowledge
that most of the remaining natural landscapes and open space are seriously threatened by continued
commercial and residential development. Concerned about the problem, this initiative was organized to
examine this threat and formulate a strategy to help minimize the consequences.
One could conclude that the way of life we experience in Door County is in many respects
dependent upon its open spaces and undeveloped natural landscapes. Considered a special place, Door
County can be characterized by its numerous and diverse natural areas. These places are home to a
variety of plant and animal species and geographical features, the likes of which are found nowhere else.
The fact that some of these natural areas are already protected as state parks, nature preserves and
wildlife areas is a testament to the high quality of natural ecosystems to be found in Door County. Door
County has a total of 22 designated State Natural Areas, which is more than any other county. Five state
parks encompassing over 9000 acres are found here, which is also more than in any other county, and two
state wildlife areas contain an additional 3000 acres. The Ridges Sanctuary, The Nature Conservancy,
The Door County Land Trust and the University of Wisconsin collectively own or manage more than
5000 acres for purposes of natural area protection. Seventeen county parks and numerous town and
municipal parks provide varying levels of protection for other sites.
Although significant areas of Door County have been set aside for conservation and recreation,
large expanses of undeveloped natural ecosystems remain unprotected. The rush of daily life makes it
easy to take these unprotected areas, and the benefits we derive from them, for granted. Yet many of
these natural landscapes will eventually be lost or degraded if preventive action isn't taken. Losing these
special areas would have a significant and noticeable adverse affect on adjacent properties. Even those
areas that are preserved are threatened by over use or invasive species.
Our purpose has
been to provide
practical information
that might assist
citizens and civic and
political leaders in
supporting natural
area preservation and
protection activities in
and around their
communities.
This guide is designed for people at all levels of government.
Hopefully, others will find it useful, including natural resource
professionals and interested citizens. Our purpose has been to provide
practical information that might assist citizens and civic and political
leaders in supporting natural area preservation and protection activities in
and around their communities.
Seventeen areas have been identified as the most critical in
maintaining the ecological integrity of Door County’s natural environment,
and hence one of the keys to the county’s way of life. While this list of
areas is certainly not exhaustive and could be debated, it does represent the
best identification effort of a very diverse group of interested parties with
knowledge of Door County and its natural areas. Each area holds
significant value for recreation, aesthetics, clean air and water, and local
biodiversity.
Even though efforts were made to gather information about available land preservation and
protection programs, it has not been included as part of this publication. Future editions will explore and
catalogue the variety of programs and strategies that can be used to preserve and protect wildlife habitat
and natural areas.
– Preface – 5