The Vision for Björklunden Flourishes Through Land Conservation

For over half a century, The Lawrence University and Door County communities have been enriched by the special place called Björklunden, the University’s Northern Campus just south of Bailey’s Harbor. Nestled among 441 acres of forests, and over a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, Björklunden is a place where solitude, creativity, scholarship and nature intersect. It is where stewardship is both a responsibility and a celebration.

That spirit of care traces back to the generosity of Winifred and Donald Boynton, whose gift of Björklunden to Lawrence University was guided by an intention that the property be maintained for retreat and education and that the land be preserved for the enduring beauty of the natural world. Winifred Boynton said of her beloved summer home “far removed from confusion and aggression, it offers a sanctuary for all.” Today, that vision continues to flourish.

Ten years ago, Lawrence University took an important step to protect that legacy by establishing a 305-acre conservation easement on the Björklunden property in partnership with the Door County Land Trust (DCLT). To further establish Lawrence as a leader in sustainability with Net Zero Bjorklunden as a laboratory for renewable energy, the easement was amended in 2022, and nearly 10 more acres were added to provide for a Solar Energy array within a Renewable Energy Zone.

The DCLT is a local, non-profit organization working to preserve Door County’s open spaces, scenic beauty and ecological integrity. Landowners establish a legally binding conservation easement to protect those values on private land in perpetuity. With over 5,000 acres of land nationally lost to development every day, protecting land via an easement demonstrates a commitment to long-term land conservation and environmental sustainability. More than a legal agreement, the conservation easement represents a shared commitment between Lawrence University and the DCLT for the care and preservation of this vital resource. The Björklunden conservation easement is significant for DCLT not only for its size but because it includes over one-half mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, the most waterfront of any of DCLT’s conservation properties.

The Björklunden conservation easement permanently safeguards over seventy percent of the property from future development or subdivision, ensuring that its ecological value and natural beauty will be protected for generations to come. The conservation easement was created to preserve Björklunden’s rich biodiversity of plant and animal life, its unique geological features, and the integrity of surface and groundwater resources. According to Drew Reinke, Conservation Easement Program Manager for the DCLT, the protected property contains important habitat. “A long list of terrestrial species inhabits the property and the over one-half mile of preserved shoreline serves as critical stopover habitat for migratory birds,” said Reinke. “Its forest is unique as one of the most southern extents of boreal forest in Wisconsin with mature to near old growth characteristics.” The partnership between Lawrence and the Door County Land Trust demonstrates a commitment to protect Door County’s incredible natural history and unique environmental quality. The conservation easement is a gift to the Door County community and all who visit the area now and into the future.

A decade into the conservation easement, Björklunden remains what the Boyntons envisioned: a place that provides retreat and nurtures thought, creativity, and care for the natural world. Lawrence University continues to honor that gift by protecting not just land, but the experiences it makes possible. The property is uniquely situated to support Lawrence’s mission and the life-long learning opportunities it provides. Björklunden is host to a vibrant seminar series for adults who wish to delve into multi-day learning and creative experience while immersed in the beauty of nature. During the academic year, over 2,000 Lawrence students, faculty, staff and guests typically participate in weekend programs at Björklunden. The get-a-way to the Northern Campus provides students an opportunity to ‘retreat’ and to reflect on their learning, build community in a small and intimate setting and gain inspiration from the solitude of nature. Student research projects conducted at Björklunden are often linked to the ecological values protected by the conservation easement. Dr. Relena Ribbons, Lawrence Associate Professor of Geosciences, states “Björklunden has served as a basecamp for students researching a range of topics. From carbon storage and tree ring records of the past climate to shoreline processes and prairie pollinators. Many of these projects provided the foundation for senior capstone research and summer LU research fellowships. Björklunden continues to guide a generation of Lawrentians to blossom as stewards, scientists, and engaged scholars.”

Björklunden’s conserved lands are part of a broad and growing network of private conservation lands across the country. Björklunden stands out as a special place that welcomes the public, inviting education, recreation, and spiritual well-being through connection with nature. This summer, that commitment to public engagement will be on display during the Boynton Festival at Björklunden on August 22, 2026. As part of the celebration, the Door County Land Trust will participate by offering a mini-seminar and Lawrence will sponsor a guided tour of the property, focusing on the value of the conservation easement. The program will give festivalgoers an opportunity to learn about Wisconsin’s Land Trust movement, how conservation easements work and why partnerships like this one matter. As Lawrence University celebrates a decade of conservation stewardship at Björklunden, the message is one of gratitude and optimism—gratitude for the Boynton’s gift and enduring vision, for a strong conservation partnership with Door County Land Trust, and optimism for a place that continues to nurture and inspire us all.