What used to be for the cows will soon be for you to explore after the Door County Land Trust announced its 15th land trust preserve in the Town of Clay Banks this week.

The Bear Creek Nature Preserve is located on a former dairy farm and features approximately a half mile of Bear Creek that flows into Lake Michigan along with open fields, wetlands, native forests, and bluffs. Land Program Director Jesse Koyen says the nearly 75-acre preserve plays a crucial role as a cleaning filter for surface water before it enters the lake. The watershed that it is a part of is considered a priority by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, making it even more critical that the land is protected so the water remains healthy. Koyen says the general stewardship plan for the property is to restore some former agriculture fields to grasslands and further expand the interior forest by planting trees.

The hope is that by planting trees and transitioning the farm fields into grasslands, the new landscape will support pollinators, grassland birds, and migratory birds. Executive Director Emily Wood says the new nature preserve offers plenty of recreational space and land protection. The Door County Land Trust will begin planning for trails, boardwalks, and more in 2024.