Fostering the preservation of Door County's natural resources through advocacy, education & action.
The future of clean water in Door County is at risk.
Beach closures and bacteria levels are on the rise. The Door County Environmental Council is committed to protecting the waters of Green Bay so that generations to come can enjoy what makes Door County special.
But we need your help.
Explore Our Latest Articles
Stay informed on the environmental issues facing Door County.
State and federal data now show that since 1990, nitrogen spread on fields in Iowa and nine other major US corn-growing states has increased 26%, with more nitrogen than ever pouring off the land and into US waters. Demand for corn is high, both to supply ethanol refineries and to feed industrial livestock operations that add to water contamination themselves.
Streams in Door County are adding to the amount of phosphorus in our waters. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources identifies four Door County streams that are now impaired by phosphorus and adding to the pollution of the bay and the lake.
Most of the time, we don’t think much about water quality when we choose a beach to enjoy. However, knowing that beach water is clean and safe for swimming is a huge benefit to both residents and tourists who enjoy our Door County beaches. Learn more about the beach water warning light system now in place at five Door County beaches
The Back Forty Mine, a proposed mining project near Stephenson, Michigan, has a tumultuous 20 year history, fraught with environmental concerns, regulatory challenges, and shifting ownership. Initially proposed by Aquila Resources of Toronto in 2004, the project aims to extract gold, zinc, and other minerals from sulfide deposits in the Menominee River watershed with a 750-foot deep open pit mine less than 200 feet from the river bank.
The annual Door County Environmental Council (DCEC) Scholarship Award is now open for applications. DCEC advocates for environmentally responsible development and recreation in Northeast Wisconsin. We seek a secondary level junior or senior student who is interested in the conservation of Door County’s natural and sustainable resources.
Green Bay and the lower Fox River are suffering from a chronic overdose of phosphorus. There are lots of sources for the nutrient—city sewerage systems, industries, runoff from lawns and streets—but as this chart shows, agriculture is by far the largest contributor.
On Friday, Nov. 3, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) released its most recent study conducted with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study was published Thursday in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology.
As you travel north along the Niagara Escarpment, the bedrock or karst becomes more fractured and porous, allowing seepage from the surface. Combine that with very thin soil to bedrock and a high-water table, the result is a vulnerable topography for contamination from agricultural runoff.
Our Earth and the world’s current farm practices are at odds. If we continue in the direction that we are going, we will witness: 1) the continued degradation of the world’s precious soils; 2) increasing adverse climate conditions; and 3) ever growing global food insecurities.
Discover Upcoming Events
Stay updated on the latest events organized by DCEC.