The Door County Land Trust recently completed a purchase within the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural area expanding the area it protect there to 400 acres.
“Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp Natural Area is part of an important wilderness corridor connecting Peninsula State Park and the WI DNR’s Mud Lake Wildlife Area,” said Land Program Director Jesse Koyen. “In addition to allowing the movement of wildlife across the landscape at a local level, this area provides important migratory bird habitat. Its proximity to their migration route, combined with high-quality habitat, allows migrating birds an ideal place to seek shelter, rest, and refuel.”
Door County Land Trust began protection efforts in Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp with a conservation easement agreement 19 years ago and plans continued conservation efforts in the area to protect the Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp wetlands and surrounding forest areas.
Gibraltar-Ephraim Swamp is one of Door County’s largest coastal wetlands. The area contains mature cedar and open hardwood swamps. Running through the property are Ephraim and Hidden Springs Creeks. The recently purchased property lies between these waterways. These creek corridors offer the added ecological benefits of providing more diversity to foraging possibilities for many species and a positive influence on water quality in Ephraim’s Eagle Harbor.
“The Land Trust is targeting areas where we can reconnect fragmented habitat,” said Door County Land Trust Executive Director Emily Wood. “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. It’s a gradual but profoundly impactful journey towards a more resilient and biodiverse Door County.”
