Ephraim, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the protection of ecologically rich forest and wetland habitats in the Gibraltar-Ephraim Marshes State Natural Area. The addition of this protected property is an exciting step towards preserving the coastal wetlands and natural filtration capabilities of the Gibraltar-Ephraim Marshes Natural Area, which significantly influences the water quality in Eagle Harbor. Ephraim.

Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp is one of the largest coastal wetlands in Door County. From the shores of Eagle Harbor, this wetland corridor stretches across the peninsula to Baileys Harbor. This vast corridor of forests and wetlands provides migration and breeding habitat for many species, including rare and threatened birds. Even the endangered Door County Hine Emerald Dragonfly has been found foraging here.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes these coastal wetlands among the most important wildlife habitats and natural landscapes in Door County. Protecting coastal wetlands like those found in the Gibraltar-Ephraim Marshes Natural Area is a top priority for conservation partners in the Great Lakes region. The Land Trust’s work here complements the protection of high-quality forest and wetland habitat in this globally significant North Lake Michigan coastal landscape.

Door County Land Trust began its protection efforts at Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp with a conservation easement agreement seventeen years ago. With this addition, Door County Land Trust now protects over 400 acres in the swamp. The newly protected property sits in the central part of Gibraltar-Ephraim Marsh, forming a protected corridor of high quality forest and wildlife habitat in the marsh.

Door County Land Trust Director of Land Protection Julie Schartner said: “Large-scale conservation efforts like the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp benefit everything we hold dear: plants and animals, beauty of the landscape, the health of our waters, etc. much more. Protecting places like these is so important to the environmental health of our region as a whole, and is important to our local community. “

Door County Land Trust thanks its members and supporters for their contribution to these conservation efforts. The purchase of this property was funded by Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-Environmental Protection Agency. A grant from the John C. Bock Foundation funds a portion of the Stewardship Endowment Fund contribution required for the long-term maintenance of the property. Door County Land Trust is seeking to raise additional endowment funds to ensure the future maintenance of the properties.

Contributions to the Door County Land Trust will help fund the upkeep of these properties and future land protection opportunities. To donate and support the conservation work of the Door County Land Trust or watch great videos of Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Nature Area from the air, please visit www.DoorCountyLandTrust.org/Vision.