Ecological Treasures

Ecological Treasures. A Place Like No Other. The Door Peninsula is an ecological treasure with more shoreline and rare plants and animals than any other county in Wisconsin. , , Ancient rivers and glaciers carved valleys through the soft limestone peninsula creating rich and varied environments. A valuable wetland valley, called the Mink River Estuary, stretches from Ellison Bay (in front of you) to Rowleys Bay on the other side of the peninsula. , , A Story of Water and Ice , Mighty rivers once surged across the Peninsula from Upper Michigan carving deep valleys through the soft limestone. During the last Ice Age, massive glaciers scoured out Green Bay and widened the valleys. Today, the ancient river valleys are marked by wetlands that stretch across Door County. , , Rare Plants and Animals , Ancient river valley wetlands, like the nearby Mink River Estuary, cradle a diversity of habitats that support plants and animals found few other places in Wisconsin. , , Mink River Estuary , The Mink River Estuary, where river and Lake Michigan waters blend, is one of the most pristine freshwater estuaries in the country. It is an important fish spawning and bird migration area. Several rare plants and animals call the estuary home.