Landings News Splash! Fall 2020

Fall 2020 News from the Places You Protect: A Newsletter for Door County Land Trust Members

Photo by Katie Vandenberg

Thank you for protecting these wonderful lands for future generations.

Without you, Door County’s exceptional lands and waters would not be protected for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Conservation St

ories: Th

anks to You...

• Our Conserv ation Family St ory (pg. 2) • New Lands

Protected at B ig and Little Marsh State N atural Area (p g. 3) • Door County in Pictures (pg . 4-5) • Birding by C amera (pg. 6) • An Invitatio n from Ann Ab bott (pg. 7) • A Great Tim e to Give (pg.

8 ) • Thanks to Lo cal Business M embers (pg. 8)

Door County Land Trust • PO Box 65, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 • (920) 746-1359 • www.DoorCountyLandTrust.org

ry to S y il m a F n o ti a v er ns o C Ou r Washington Island

exceptional lands and waters!

It takes a lot of love to protect Door County’s ylandtrust.org Send your notes and stories to giving@doorcount

e Flowering Roy Lukes enjoying th of the Jens Catalpa Tree outside Washington Jacobsen museum on tured a Door Island. He led and lec e through the County Land Trust hik eserve in July 2013.

Little Lake nature pr - Bruce J Urbanik

ve spent the majority Our grandchildren ha us in Door County. of their summers with these children and Through the eyes of and water, are young adults, the land need to take care resources they feel a s Papa’s GPS inputter of. Grandson Jack wa ail at Three Springs while developing a tr experiences have Preserve. His outdoor human impact upon created a concern for experiences of the the earth. He finds his a great escape from places he visits here randson Joe says the reality (Pandemic). G d is to prevent it value of preserving lan . And Granddaughter from being destroyed to be a member of Mae says she is proud Trust to protect land the Door County Land - Jack Finger for her future.

We would like to thank you for all the great wor k you do!! Myself and my two children jus t fini shed exp loring all 14 of your preser ves yes terday. We made 4 trip s to Door this Spring and enjoyed them all!! - Mar k Car roll

e I can still enjoy all els days are over, but Edgar H. and Zita, who ing hik my , 92 e, nts, At my ag s to offer. My parety scenes and went up as often un that Door County ha Co or Do e th ed lov sula Park back lived in Green Bay,y brought me and my sister to PeninDoor County as he ed . T lov d I have as they could starting then she an nd to the Twin in the 1930’s, and s did Once on a trip from South Be me cherry pies so nt . re up k pa pic much as my y so I could Ba n iso Ell of member of y a wa be Cities, I went by bring along with me. I’m happy to from Seaquist to w hole - Edgar Berners for you. Here’s a ‘w the Land Trust no .

Bay. on of Cherryland history ge ur bit a St in ing e ch idg ta br at Rail P.S. I’m on the old Ahnapee trainload of cherries’

Sturgeon Bay Ship C

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and effort A note of thanks and appreciation for the time created. have you have contributed to the many trails you hiked every have we , year cult diffi rly icula During this part s. We path you have created! This has lifted our spirit of our tion look forward to many more hikes and continua n membership. Thank you, Randy and Kare I don’t always take landscape views, but the scenery at Bay Shore Bluf flands is breathtaking and expansive and I love the Niagara Escarpment. The field of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is promising to see for the future of our Monarchs.

I really appreciate having so many places to go to thanks to Door County Land Trust and seeing nature be a priority in Door County. - Tawnie Perkins

Magnificent, magical adventure on the trails.

We LOVE Door County Land Trust and all you do. Katie, Ben, Finn and Genevieve Vandenberg, we live in Tremont, Il but our hearts are in Door County :) - Katie VandenBerg

ibi and Malach a G ds ki on s. om ol tra The S ty Land Truste hikiles. n ou C r oo D e th y enjo r favorit was one of oupe Three Springs th t friendly. re a ils tra e ow h ve lo e W - Sande 2 Landings, News Splash — Fall 2020

anal, winter 20

! u o y k n a th

for being a part

Here is a photo from a “mushroom hike” with Charlotte Lukes in 2018 that my daughter and I went on--so much fun! It was fun to do a more unique hike! Thanks for all you guys do!

- Inger Wilkerson tion family. of our conserva r County!

YOU protect Doo

You've Helped Protect Another Rare Wetland!

Big and Little Marsh State Natural Area, by Joe Taylor

Photo by Dave Heilman

Door County’s Wild Things Thank you!

Thanks to strong support from members like you, Door County Land Trust is closer to fulfilling our land protection vision for 2020! You helped complete the acquisition and protection of two 20-acre properties—and all the wild things living within—at the Big and Little Marsh State Natural Area. Protection of coastal wetlands like those found at Big and Little Marsh rank as top priorities of conservation partners within the Great Lakes region.

Protection of this property marks an exciting conservation milestone for Washington Island. This newly protected land connects other conservation land to the east and west, forming a protected corridor of high-quality forest and wetland habitat.

Permanent protection of connected natural lands helps to preserve the health of forests and promotes biodiversity by ensuring wildlife the ability to move freely between protected habitats.

Stories of the lands you help protect may be found at www.DoorCountyLandTrust.com/Vision.

Photo by Dave Heilman

Vision: Completing a Conservation Corridor

Your Membership Donation at Work

Photo by Joe Taylor

Members Steward Door County Lands ’Round the Clock Thank you for loving Door County’s wild things and wild places!

Your membership donation is being put to good use as a match for federal and state grant funding for land acquisition—but there is more work yet to be done. When it comes to taking care of protected lands (maintaining trails, monitoring boundaries, conducting ‘wellness’ check-ups) members and donors make a difference! Your memberships, donations, and planned legacy gifts are the largest source of funding to make sure protected lands are…protected!

Landings, News Splash — Fall 2020

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Every photo here was taken on land you’ve helped protect. Thank you!

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Landings, News Splash — Fall 2020

ar s doing ch or es on the ye n ee et pr y m in n ga be for M y love of ph ot ography oor County in exchange D rn he ut So in s nk Ba ay reer family dair y farm in Cl is led to a 30+ year ca Th g. sin es oc pr d an m being the m oney to pay for fil d wildlif e ph ot ography an re tu Na . er ph ra og as a pr of essional ph ot al lowed. so met hing I did as time the D oor County to take on to rn tu re to y it un rt rm that W hen given the op po 0-acre former dair y fa 20 ly ar ne e th g in or st re sp on sibility of re s, we both to ok earl y ar ye 0 15 ly ar ne r fo mily ha s been in my wife’s fa this. retir ement to acco m plish bu sy with building ry ve us pt ke ve ha s ar l ye Alth ou gh the la st severa ph familiar and notra og ot ph d an e or pl ex e to that pr ojects, I have had tim . Since I fir mly believe ty un Co r oo D d ve lo be y or t so-familiar ar ea s of m ha s an obligation to su pp y ph ra og ot ph re tu na ea s, anyone wh o engage s in ou r wild and natu ral ar ve er es pr to rd ha so that the gr ou ps that work s gr ou ps in D oor County ou ri va e th r fo t ou e ey I have had a keen undert ake that ta sk. do, volu me of the work they d an e op sc r ee sh e th ys you can tu rn land I am im pr essed by wa s ou ri va e th t, ec ot ey pr see an the nu mber of ar ea s th e ap pr oach when they iv ct oa pr r ei th d an , re over to their ca essed with their goal to pr im t os m am I . ea ar an or e op port unit y to pr ot ect en to pu blic use. Even m op s tie er op pr r ei th of keep a large percentage ails ar e well mar ked, bu t done so in a way e tr y signs critical to me is that th Ther e ar e no unne ce ssar t. en nm ro vi en e th th of the ar ea, yet ty that bl ends well wi au be l ra tu na e th th rf er e wi that they ar e on the and pl acards that inte t en id nf co n ai m re n ca ker even an inexperienced hi financial requir ements no th wi so do ey th at th corr ect path . The fact e. This is why I ch ose to siv es pr im e or m en ev is and or ar bitrar y re st rictions ust both with my m oney Tr nd La ty un Co r oo D can. su pp or t the ef fort s of likewise in any way you do to u yo e ag ur co en time, and I st rongly Dave Heilman

See mor e of Dave’s ph ot os

at:

@ D oorC ou nt yL andTru st

Landings, News Splash — Fall 2020

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New Feathered Friends visit Washington Island

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Little Blue Heron

“I am always birding and I always have a camera.”

Forster’s Tern

Summer Tanager

Citizen science takes flight on Washington Island Earlier this summer, birders throughout the Great Lakes region went out and kept watch with steady binoculars and hopeful hearts looking for wayward birds that may have been carried off course. Melody Walsh is one of those birders, though she prefers to skip the binoculars in favor of her camera.

Walsh lives on Washington Island, one of the best birding hot spots in the state. Every year she records new feathered friends on their migration journeys north and south. When faced with strong headwinds, these birds will stop over where the habitat is favorable and safe for them to rest and refuel.

All bird photos by Melody Walsh.

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Landings, News Splash — Fall 2020

Washington Island is an ideal stopover spot for many birds seeking reprieve from their long journey. Door County Land Trust protects land that provides crucial habitat for these birds—and citizen scientists like Melody record bird sightings that give insight into where greater land protection and habitat restoration are needed.

nty, To those who share a love of Door Cou nty head for what they deem as Frequently people arriving in Door Cou se and , the speed of the go-carts, the noi iling asa par of h rus the : ent item exc Take a thrill is over and the memories fade. gusto of jet skis. In a short time, the forest, mory will last forever: the smell of the friend on a nature walk and the me d rus of frogs croaking, a peek at San the sweet song of a chickadee, a cho wl, pro rch for seeds, spotting a fox on the sea g rnin mo ly ear an on nes Cra Hill ment, tion to Niagara Falls via the escarp learning about Door County’s connec habitat ff, learning about the wetlands as watching a sunset from an open blu ls, and flowers, to name a few. or sanctuary for many birds, anima preserving and r County is people’s commitment to The most wonderful thing about Doo tinue, ulation growth and development con pop h oug Alth . ure nat and d lan protecting Trust, have members of the Door County Land are m who of ny ma s, ual ivid ind ned concer to conservation nourish Door County’s commitment been robust in stepping forward to ers, such joy when discovering rare flow nce erie exp n ldre chi ing See l. ura and all things nat ambient erving stars in almost nonexistent obs s, ead est hom old of ts nan rem finding the can strongly memories that will linger forever. I the are se The . res asu tre e tru are light attest to that. que capacity to serve as a catalyst Trust’s uni d Lan the by sed res imp n bee Cedar forest, Little Sister Bay impossible goals. ays I have alw es, seemed to be tim at t, wha h plis om acc to er for bringing people togeth a communityds, it is remarkable to be a part of In addition to preserving natural lan ders, for people across the life span as lea ties uni ort opp s vide pro t tha ion based organizat blazers or ors, hike leaders, bat counters, trail don are y the r the whe rs, rne lea and planners, - the field is wide open to enjoy. maintainers, or students of all ages role . I am always deeply grateful for the life ire ent my nty Cou r Doo to ing I have been com true wild side ping nature lovers make certain the hel in ys pla st Tru d Lan nty Cou r the Doo n a consistent e. Throughout the years, I have bee tinu con r” Doo e “th of ills thr l rea and a Legacy that med obvious that I should arrange contributor to the Land Trust. It see s to come. r County Land Trust for generation Doo of s ort eff the ting por sup e would continu stars are y sunsets seem even brighter and the ntr Cou r Doo the n, isio dec t tha de ma After I sider making a similar commitment? definitely more twinkly. Why not con Sincerely, Ann Abbott

L

E

ACY CIRC G L E

What if you could make a gift that lasted forever? You can.

Turn your life’s work into protected land by directing your legacy gift to the Door County Land Trust.

You may designate the Door County Lan d Trust as the beneficiary of your life insu rance or retirement plan, or include a beques t provision in your will or trust.

When you plan your bequest with Doo r County Land Trust, you can rest assu red you’re working with an accredited organizatio n that will protect and honor your lega cy forever.

The size of your heart is all that matters.

Everyone can plan to make a difference —no matter what size your gift. Call you r friendly Director of Charitable Giving, Cinnamon Rossman, at (920) 746-1359.

It’s a Great Time to Give!

Earlier this year, the CARES Act was signed into law to help not-for-profit organizations like Door County Land Trust weather the uncertainty of the pandemic. The CARES Act designed several incentives that benefit both the taxpayers and the not-for-profit organizations.

Nature Notes Calendar Donate a special gift of $20 or more and we’ll mail a Nature Notes Calendar to you or a friend.

Just note the address with your donation or membership gift in the enclosed envelope.

All proceeds support conservation efforts in Door County.

1. The new law allows individual taxpayers to deduct up to $300 in annual charitable contributions ($600 for couples) from your gross income—even if you are not itemizing your deductions. But, the contributions must be made to qualifying charitable organizations—like Door County Land Trust!

2. Individuals and corporations that itemize can deduct contributions up to 100% of their 2020 adjusted gross income on 2020 tax returns.

3. The new law waives the required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRA until 2021, but you may still direct a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to charity this year (up to $100,000 per individual) to reduce your taxable IRA balance.

Consult your financial advisor about these win-win tax incentives for giving. Call Door County Land Trust Director of Charitable Giving Cinnamon Rossman to learn about these and other ways of giving.

Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve, by Dave Heilman

Join us in thanking our Annual Business Members!

N

B F S I GUARDIAN F I N A N C I A L

LARRY BRUNETTE - MARY MORROW

Alibi Marina and Harbor Guest House Ashbrooke Hotel Blue Dolphin House Brilliant Marketing Brown County Graphics Door County Eye Associates Door County Nature Works

Door County Premium Rentals Door Landscape & Nursery EcoDoor, LLC Ecology First Light Arts, Jim Perry Glidden Lodge Beach Resort The Garden Lady, Beth Coleman Gills Rock Stoneware

Grasse’s Grill Impressions Printing and Graphics Jack and Jill’s Landscaping Out of the Woods Woodworking, Curt Wessel Pinkert Law Firm, LLP RentShadowLawn.com

Ross Estate Planning Sunnypoint Landscape Terra Cottages Dr Timothy Tishler, DDS True North Real Estate Wagon Trail Campground Washington Island Ferry Line Wickman House Restaurant

Want to list your business here? Please contact Director of Charitable Giving Cinnamon Rossman at (920) 746-1359 or giving@doorcountylandtrust.org.