Local Conservation Organizations
Door County Land Trust, Inc.
Since our inception in 1986, the Door County Land Trust has worked to preserve, maintain and enhance lands that contribute significantly to the scenic beauty, open space, and ecological integrity of Door County. We have worked with scores of landowners to protect more than 8,500 acres of fields, forests, farmlands, orchards, wetlands and shoreline through a variety of land protection tools, including selective purchases, land donations and conservation easement agreements. Along the Door County Scenic Byway corridor we protected the Grand View Scenic Overlook in Ellison Bay with the Town of Liberty Grove, 485 acres along the Hwy 57 corridor between Baileys Harbor and Sister Bay and another 60 acres along the Hwy 42 corridor between Ephraim and Fish Creek. We are a local, non-profit, non-governmental organization supported by more than 2,200 supporters who love Door County and share a concern for its future. Contact: Terrie Cooper, Door County Land Trust, P.O. Box 65, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; (920) 746-1359, [email protected]; www.doorcountylandtrust.org
Door County Parks Department
Door County Parks Department in accordance with its Door County Parks and Open Space Plan outlines its vision and goals in continuing to maintain and improve the recreation facilities of its eighteen County Parks and expand the County Park System to meet the needs of Door County residents and visitors. Nine County Parks are found along the Door County Scenic Byway corridor, these include; Meridian County Park in the Town of Jacksonport, Cave Point and Olde Stone Quarry County Parks in the Town of Sevastopol, Cana Island and Baileys Harbor Ridges County Parks in the Town of Baileys Harbor, Door Bluff Headlands and Ellison Bluff County Parks in the Town of Liberty Grove and Murphy Park in the Town of Egg Harbor. The County Parks Department also manages in partnership with the State of Wisconsin the Ahnapee State Trail System. Contact: Director, Door County Parks, 3538 Park Dr. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; (920) 746-9971; [email protected]; http://map.co.door.wi.us/parks
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit conservation organization, has been working to protect wild places and wildlife on the Door Peninsula since 1962. Its mission is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
As of date, the Conservancy has helped protect a total of 7,210 acres on the Door Peninsula at five ecological preserves including; Bay Shore Blufflands in the Town of Egg Harbor, Mink River and North Bay Preserves in the Town of Liberty Grove, Kangaroo Lake in the Town of Baileys Harbor and Shivering Sands in the Town of Sevastopol. Additionally, the Conservancy has partnered with the County Parks, DNR and other conservation organizations to protect lands at other places like Toft Point, Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Mud Lake State Natural Areas, Meridian and Ellison Bluff County Parks and Whitefish Dunes State Park. A number of these preserves lie along the Hwy 57 and 42 Scenic Byway corridor and as opportunity arises, additional properties will be acquired in these preserve area boundaries.
Contact: Mike Grimm, Conservation Ecologist, The Door Peninsula Office, 242 Michigan Street, Suite B103, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; (920) 743-8695; [email protected]; www.nature.org
The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc.
The Ridges Sanctuary's mission is to protect the Sanctuary and inspire stewardship of natural areas through programs of education, outreach, and research. The Ridges' unique landscape of thirty ridges and swales are geological formations from past Lake Michigan shorelines formed over the last 1400 years. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has recognized the Ridges and its surrounding landscapes as the most biologically diverse are in the State. Because of this diversity and unique ridge and swale landscape, The Ridges has been recognized as a Natural National Landmark by the National Park Service, an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, a Wisconsin's Wetland Gem by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.
Since 1937, The Ridges has protected over 1600 acres of land in the Hwy 57 Scenic Byway corridor at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor and along Logan Creek and Clark Lake in the Town of Jacksonport. In accordance with The Ridges Sanctuary strategic plan completed in 2008, critical lands affecting The Ridges and Logan Creek watersheds have been identified for future acquisition or protection through conservation easements. To develop more awareness, education programs range from citizen monitoring programs to involve volunteers in stewardship activities, family programs to connect children to the outdoors, and hikes along The Ridges' trails to develop an appreciation for the unique landscape. The Ridges' Nature Center is open from May - October to support programs and provide an orientation to the site for the 5,000+ visitors annually who hike the trails.
Contact: The Ridges Sanctuary, P.O. Box 152, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202; (920) 839-2802; www.ridgessanctuary.org
Door County North
"Your exploration of Door County North provides you with the rarest of luxuries - time. Uncrowded and relaxed, you'll find time to explore pathways of interest that lead you to welcoming small town life, a nature trail in a protected landscape....Breathe in our beautiful land and water vistas at every turn." (excerpt from Door County North website
Contact: Mickie Rasch CTA, community coordinator. [email protected] (920)854-4450. www.Doorcountynorth.org
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has protected over 8,000 acres along the Hwy 57 and 42 Scenic Byway corridor. These protected lands include Peninsula, Whitefish Dunes and Newport State Parks, Mud Lake State Wildlife Area and the Mud Lake, Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp State Natural Areas. As opportunity arises, the DNR will continue to acquire lands within the project boundaries of these areas.
Contact: Mark Martin, DNR, P.O. Box 7921, 101. S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707, (608) 266-8916; [email protected];
Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.
The Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc. preserves Great Lakes maritime history, primarily focusing on Door County, Wisconsin, and provides interpretive and educational opportunities for current and future generations. The Museum operates three locations, including the Door County Maritime Museum along the working waterfront in Sturgeon Bay; the iconic Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor; and the Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock. As one of northeast Wisconsin’s top tourism destinations, attracting more than 70,000 visitors annually, the Door County Maritime Museum serves as an educational and cultural resource for all 72 counties in Wisconsin.
Contact: 120 N. Madison Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 (920) 743-5958; [email protected]; www.dcmm.org
Our Governmental Partners
County of Door
The County of Door Board of Supervisors voted in the majority (20 yea / 1 nay) to support the DCCB in its efforts to secure inclusion in the WI DOT Scenic Byways Program. Various agencies of the County are actively involved in the DCCB efforts and are committed ongoing partners. These include, but are not limited to:
Door County Land Use Services Department
Contact: Mariah Goode and Becky Kerwin, 920-746-2323
Door County Parks Department
Contact: 920-746-9959
Door County Highway Department
Contact: Thad Ash, 920-746-2500
The Town and Village Partners
Town of Baileys Harbor
2392 Cty. Hwy. F, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Contact: 920-839-9509
Town of Gibraltar
Kelly Murre
P.O. Box 850, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Contact: 920-868-1714
Town of Jacksonport
3365 Hwy. V, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Contact: 920-823-8136
WI DOT Scenic Byways Applicant Municipality:
Town of Liberty Grove
Anastasia Bell
11161 Old Stage Rd., Sister Bay, WI 54234
Contact: 920-854-2934
DCCB Program Coordinator: Ann Miller, 920-839-2288
Town of Sevastopol
4528 State Highway 57, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Contact: 920-746-1230
Village of Egg Harbor
Tom Strong, Administrator
P.O. Box 175, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Contact: 920-868-3334
Village of Ephraim
P.O. Box 127, Ephraim, WI 54211
Contact: 920-854-5501
Village of Sister Bay
2383 Maple Drive
P.O. Box 769, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Contact: 920-854-4118
Our Partnering Organizations
The Door County Economic Development Corporation
Destination Door County Mission: (formerly Door County Visitor Bureau )is the official tourism Marketing organization for Door County whose mission is to generate incremental economic impact for the community by attracting visitors with strategies that ensure sustainable tourism.
Vision: Having established a national brand image for Door County, the DDC is a leader in community and member partnerships. The DDC is the region's premier destination marketing organization, known for its organizational excellence, sustainable tourism initiatives and recognized countywide as the catalyst for economic growth in tourism for the area.
Brand Promise: Relaxing, Restorative, Maritime Experience
Contact: Destination Door County [email protected]
P.O. Box 406, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, (920) 743-4456
Door County Historical Society
P.O. Box 71, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Contact: 920-746-2286
Baileys Harbor Historical Society
Ellie Sodenburg
8061 STH 57, PO Box 336, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
[email protected]
www.baileysharborhistoricalsociety.org
Top of the Thumb Association
P.O. Box 10, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
Contact: www.ellisonbaydoorwi.com
Sister Bay Advancement Association
P.O. Box 351, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Contact: www.cometosisterbay.com
Ephraim Business Council
P.O. Box 203, Ephraim, WI 54211
Contact: [email protected]
Baileys Harbor Community Association
P.O. Box 31, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Contact: www.baileysharbor.com
Fish Creek Civic Association
P.O. Box 74, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Contact: www.fishcreekinfo.com
Jacksonport Area Business Association
6275 Hwy. 57, Jacksonport, WI 54235
Contact: www.jacksonport.net
Egg Harbor Business Association
P.O. Box 33, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Contact: www.EggHarborDoorCounty.org or [email protected]
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission / Co-Chair - Niagara Escarpment Resource Network
400 Ahnaip Street, Suite 100, Menasha, WI 54952 Contact: Eric W. Fowle, AICP www.eastcentralrpc.org or www.escarpmentnetwork.org