Door County Land Trust
Protecting Door County’s Exceptional Lands and Waters Forever
Chambers Island Nature Preserve
Spring 2016 Report
Celebrating the Chambers Island Miracle – Closing in on Our Goals! In September 2014, the Chambers Island community and the Door County Land Trust officially launched the Chambers Island Nature Preserve effort—to preserve 1,000 acres of interior forests and wetlands. We summed up our goals in three words:
Save — Sustain — Study It is a momentous undertaking, requiring $3.6 million in both private and public funds. Today, because of overwhelming support from so many islanders, friends, foundations and federal and state funds, we have: • Donated and pledged more than 75% of the needed $1.8 million in private funds • Acquired or are in the process of acquiring 656 of the planned 1,000 acres • Been awarded or applied for ~$1.2 million of the needed $1.8 million in matching governmental funds
Islanders have also:
• Provided more than 30 boat rides to and from the island for the project • Hosted more than 120 participants in Door County Land Trust events, teaching them about Chambers’ birds, geology, flora and history • Given more than 70 vehicle rides around the island to visitors and partners • Provided overnight accommodations, food and restroom facilities to numerous partners and visitors working on this project • Created the Chambers Island Nature Preserve website, www.ChambersIslandNaturePreserve.org • Enjoyed thousands of hours of discussions, writing, thinking, presenting and PRESERVING
Next steps:
• Cross the finish line for saving 1,000 acres of the Preserve • Continue the work of sustaining and studying the nature around us • Celebrate the miracle! Acres of spring Trilliums bloom on Chambers
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