Nature Notes: Powered by Passion—Community efforts to preserve the Boreal Forest 

When we dreamed up the Boreal Climate Survivability Project in collaboration with the Climate Change Coalition and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership, we knew it was going to be a few things:  

1. A highly impactful, inspiring and important project, 
2. An opportunity to engage with volunteers, and
3. A tremendous amount of work.

While it has been all of those things, one unexpected and profoundly rewarding outcome has been the vibrant community that has formed around this important work.   

The Boreal Climate Survivability (BCS) Project was established to study the adaptability of trees and other species in boreal and temperate forests throughout Door County in the face of climate change. We aim to accelerate the success of reforestation in Door County by planting trees and monitoring the ecological diversity of the ecosystems before and after trees are planted.

• 108 volunteers
• 627 volunteer hours
• 11 days
• In all weather conditions…and I mean ALL

Putting this vision into action is no small task. This spring, with the incredible support of our volunteer community, we completed several major milestones. We established five experimental plots and five control plots across three sites: Appel’s Bluff, the Family Discovery Trail, and Logan Creek. Once the plots were in place, the next step was planting. Over the course of three weeks, volunteers planted, mulched, and watered an impressive 2,232 two-year-old trees in the experimental plots. This effort, while ambitious, was made possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of more than 100 volunteers who have given their time, energy, and enthusiasm to the project. 

An inch of rain can’t stop us from planting 432 trees at Logan Creek. Photo by Jeff Lutsey.

Since the beginning, the Boreal Climate Survivability Project has been highly collaborative. Together with our partners in the scientific community and our innovative volunteers, we refined, tweaked, and evolved the protocols in this project. Before the first shovel hit the ground, we gathered with volunteers—not just to share our vision, but to listen. We asked what people wanted to see, and the response was overwhelming. More than 75 individuals expressed interest in learning more, and—most importantly—getting involved. Many shared that this project felt like a rare opportunity to take meaningful action at a time when solutions to the climate crisis can feel distant or out of reach. That energy—that sense of purpose—became the spark that ignited our efforts. It has helped shape the BCS Project into a living example of what’s possible when science and community come together—building hope and resilience for generations to come. 

While the work we have accomplished is significant, this has only been the beginning. Plot stewardship, biodiversity monitoring, weather condition monitoring and more will continue throughout the year. This fall, we will plant an additional 264 five-year-old trees in the established plots. Our work throughout the rest of 2025 and the upcoming years will lean on the continued support of our volunteers and citizen scientists.   

We are deeply grateful for the incredible volunteers who have supported this project thus far. Your time, energy, and dedication have made a lasting impact—not just on the work itself, but on the spirit of collaboration that fuels it. Whether you’ve shared your experiences, gotten your hands dirty, or simply shared words of encouragement, your support has been vital to our progress. The Boreal Climate Survivability Project would not be what it is today without the generosity and passion of our volunteers. Thank you for standing with us and believing in the value of this work. 

An abundance of gratitude goes out to Jeff Lutsey, Tony Kiszonas, Sam Hoffman and Victoria Holderer for your leadership, vision, and passion behind this project and all the important work you do to make our world a better place. I am inspired by each of you daily and am truly grateful to work alongside each of you to accomplish this incredible work.

To delve deeper into the Boreal Climate Survivability Project, explore the recent article by Jeff Lutsey, Executive Director of the Climate Change Coalition of Door County, featured in our Spring 2025 Sanctuary Newsletter. This edition offers an insightful look into the pioneering research that informs our mission and deepens our connection to the natural world.