Announcing Pebble Beach

Door County Land Trust and Village of Sister Bay
Announce Partnership to
Protect Pebble Beach

Sister Bay, WI – The Door County Land Trust and the Village of Sister Bay are pleased to announce a partnership to protect 600 feet of shoreline and 17 acres of land as a publicly accessible recreation and natural area. The Door County Land Trust will assist with the purchase of the property through a fundraising effort and protection of the property with a conservation easement agreement. Upon completion, the Village of Sister Bay will own and manage the property with public access to the shoreline and land, which will be protected as a natural area.

Village president Dave Leinau said, “The Village of Sister Bay in conjunction with the Land Trust is pleased to announce we will purchase the Pebble Beach property with the intent of keeping it preserved for future generations to come. This is a rare opportunity to keep a local treasure pristine and untouched. It will keep the essence of Door County’s natural beauty alive and well in Sister Bay.”

In December 2018, the Pebble Beach was thrown into the spotlight when a local zoning commission considered a proposal to divide the undeveloped shoreline into four lots for private development. Public sentiment for protecting the beach from development was voiced loudly in letters to the editor, across social media, and throughout the community.

The Luber and Downey families who own the property agreed to reduce the sale price with a desire for the property to be protected in its natural state. Paul Luber said, “We are excited to see this land which has been so significant to our families be preserved as untouched shoreline that will be enjoyed by generations for years to come.”

Door County Land Trust responded to the community desire to protect the land by exploring conservation funding options with the Village of Sister Bay, who will ultimately own and manage the land and preserve it in its natural state. Though the project is not yet fully funded, Door County Land Trust and the Village of Sister Bay are partnering to protect the property for the community.

Door County Land Trust executive director Tom Clay said, “The effort to protect Door County’s iconic Pebble Beach is a shining example of how a community, a conservation land trust, and conservation partners can bring a vision to reality and protect land, open to all, forever.”

The purchase of the property will cost approximately $2.5 million and will be completed in September 2019. Sources of funding for the project are a $1 million grant tentatively secured through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, $500,000 by the Door County Land Trust, and $1 million by the Village of Sister Bay.

To help the project succeed, Door County Land Trust, with support from the Village, is seeking to raise approximately $500,000 from the community to support the purchase and long-term conservation of the property. The Village of Sister Bay intends to apply for a reimbursement grant through Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to fund up to $1M of the purchase price.

If successful, the land will be owned and managed by the Village of Sister Bay. Door County Land Trust will hold a conservation easement agreement which will ensure the property remains natural. The Land Trust will work with the Village to preserve native plants and wildlife habitat. The Village will manage the recreational use of the property and any amenities, so as to preserve the natural state of the land.

Once completed, Pebble Beach’s beautiful views, extraordinary shoreline and cedar forest will be preserved for all to enjoy. The community is invited to make contributions of support for the project and to learn more at www.DoorCountyLandTrust.org/Pebble Beach.

About the Door County Land Trust
Protecting Door County’s Exceptional Lands and Waters…Forever. Door County Land Trust protects the wild places, scenic beauty, and ecological integrity that make the peninsula and islands so special. 14 featured nature preserves are open for hiking, and other low-impact, non-motorized recreational activities–all at no charge to the public. Trail maps and more information may be found at www.doorcountylandtrust.org.

About the Village of Sister Bay
The Village of Sister Bay is a friendly, thriving community where residents and visitors alike enjoy the natural beauty of its surroundings enhanced by well-maintained parks and the natural environment. The unique charm of the Village’s waterfront, library and businesses are enjoyed and utilized by all. As Northern Door County’s year-round village, it balances the needs of a growing retirement community, while attracting and supporting its younger population with a viable economy. The Village has carefully controlled growth to maintain its charm, character and natural beauty. www.sisterbaywi.gov

To donate, read the full story, or get current updates,
visit doorcountylandtrust.org/PebbleBeach