Fox 11 reported that Door County County Land Trust (DCLT) recently added to the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area, expanding their long-term conservation work in the area. DCLT has already protected over 400 acres of this wetland area, which began as a conservation easement almost 20 years ago.
The swamp features cedar and hardwood trees, along with Ephraim and Hidden Springs Creeks. These waterways support local wildlife and contribute to water quality in nearby Eagle Harbor. The area serves as a crucial rest stop for migrating birds and provides habitat for various species.
In a Door County Pulse article, DCLT Land Program Director Jesse Koyen further highlights the area’s importance, adding, “Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area is part of an important wilderness corridor connecting Peninsula State Park and the Wisconsin DNR’s Mud Lake Wildlife Area. In addition to allowing the movement of wildlife across the landscape at a local level, this area provides important migratory bird habitat.”
The Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship Program has been instrumental in this project’s success: since 2014, nearly 10 Knowles Nelson grants totaling over $600,000 have supported the Door County Land Trust’s work to protect the Ephraim-Gibraltar Swamp. This latest addition also received additional funding from the Fox River Natural Resource Trustee Council and community donations.
The strategy of gradually connecting protected parcels is helping to create a more resilient and biodiverse landscape in Door County, ensuring the preservation of this unique coastal wetland for future generations.
DCLT Executive Director Emily Wood expanded on their approach, saying, “the Land Trust is targeting areas where we can reconnect fragmented habitat. It’s a process much like assembling a complex puzzle, where each piece represents a critical step towards the larger goal of a thriving, intact ecosystem.”
Featured image by Dan Eggert/Door County Land Trust
