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By knewbern, on August 23rd, 2010
A Recipe for Successful Stewards
Begin with a group of enthusiastic adults from all over Door County. Place in an outdoor setting and add some field guides, hand lenses and notebooks. Blend in several presentations on local geology, plant communities, wildlife and watersheds. Mix together well, and allow to interact for ten weeks. Yield: a group of dedicated volunteers who are engaged in conservation and preservation efforts throughout the county.
This odd recipe describes a new program in Door County called the Wisconsin Naturalist Program. Wisconsin Naturalists are individuals who have a love for the outdoors, are interested in learning more about our natural resources, and are willing to serve as volunteer land stewards. These students attend 25 hours of classroom and outdoor learning focused on our local ecosystems. During the program, students “adopt” a natural area in which to study and apply what they have learned in the classroom. After completing their training, Wisconsin Naturalists are required to attend 8 hours of additional training and volunteer 25 hours to a local conservation organization or program.
One of the most exciting aspects of this program is seeing how volunteers become environmental stewards, demonstrating ways that we can all help protect and preserve Door County’s natural legacy and encouraging others to get involved. Some of the projects completed by Wisconsin Naturalists in the past year:
- Several Wisconsin Naturalists participated in a Hines Emerald Dragonfly survey last summer. Members assisted researchers from the University of South Dakota, checking for road-killed dragonflies along a section of County Highway Q in Baileys Harbor. The road goes through critical habitat for the federally-endangered dragonfly, and this research is helpful in determining population trends from year to year.
- Led by two Wisconsin Naturalists, third grade students at Gibraltar School explored and learned more about the outdoor classroom adjacent to their school. The students then took a field trip to compare that environment with the diverse habitats of The Ridges Sanctuary.
- Woodside Park in Sturgeon Bay is closer to being weed-free, thanks to the efforts of a Wisconsin Naturalist and the second grade classes at Sawyer School. The students learned about Garlic Mustard and how it was crowding out the wildflowers in the park which lies behind their school. Students then assisted with removing the Garlic Mustard.
- Another Wisconsin Naturalist volunteer monitors bluebird houses in Newport State Park, and leads walks to teach people about bluebirds and the conservation efforts on their behalf.
 The 2010 session of Wisconsin Naturalists will begin Thursday, September 9 and run through November 11. Classroom sessions will be held from 6:00 – 8:30 PM each Thursday at Crossroads at Big Creek, Sturgeon Bay. Field trip dates are September 25 and October 23 (field trip dates are tentative). Please call or email for more information.
By cschuster, on April 15th, 2010
 THE RIDGES SANCTUARY will be coordinating the efforts of the DCIST in Door County. Along with the knowledge of The Ridges’ staff, education programs and equipment to fight invasive species will be available to groups and individuals who need them.
More and more invasive species are impacting Door County. To help educate and expand the overall program, The Ridges Sanctuary will help the Door County Invasive Species Team by
COORDINATING:
• education programs
• scheduling workdays
• assisting landowners
Marne Kaeske, Ridges’ Stewardship Coordinator, will coordinate the DCIST effort but the entire Ridges’ staff plus the many contractors now licensed to control invasive species are here to help you.
SITE VISITS: To help you with control of invasive species, we can come to your property for a site visit to identify native and non-native species, to assess what has been done and help develop an action plan.
ACTION: Contact The Ridges (920) 839-2802 – to update us on your efforts or concerns by May 1 so we can better plan the upcoming season.
UPDATES: Workdays and education programs will be posted on the DCIST website. http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/invasive/default.htm
VOLUNTEER HOURS: Any hours you work on invasive species in Door County, will help toward the requirements of our DCIST grant.
Individual Volunteer Hours log sheet
Work Party Volunteer Hours log sheet
Send to The Ridges Sanctuary • PO Box 152 • Baileys Harbor WI 54202.
CONTACT: Call (920) 839-2802 or email: marne@RidgesSanctuary.org to schedule a site visit, workday, or tell us what kind of education programs you would like.
By knewbern, on September 11th, 2009
Naturalist-Guided Hikes
When: Naturalist-guided hikes through the Sanctuary are scheduled regularly from mid-May through mid-October. No preregistration is required. Check our calendar for dates and times.
Cost: $7 per adult, free for children under 18.
 Ridges naturalist with group Where: Hikes begin at the Ridges Nature Center, 8288 Hwy Q, Baileys Harbor (map).
Note: Guided hikes can be arranged for groups at any time of the year. Please contact the Sanctuary for information.
By cschuster, on September 11th, 2009
Summer Reading/Nature Activities Project
2010
The Ridges Sanctuary and the Baileys Harbor McArdle Library
Each Child will:
- Complete a simple outdoor activity and…
- read a nature oriented book
- receive a special button specific to each activity completed and book read
- receive a hat displaying the project logo to display the buttons
Summer Reading/Nature Project
2009
The Ridges Sanctuary and the Baileys Harbor McArdle Library
Each Child:
- Received a backpack of supplies for nature exploration
- Chose a special place at The Ridges or another natural area of their choice
- Created a journal documenting their outdoor observations
Enjoy these books from our 2009 Wild Places young naturalists!
Chewy’s Rock by Amy Strauch
Nature Journal by Brian Strauch
Observation of Nature by Alyssa Oldenburg
Nature in your backyard! by Emily Oldenburg
Wild Places Book by Lauren McWherter
My Special Place by Madalyn Gray
My 2009 Summer Book by London Breml
McKinley’s Big Backyard by McKinley Breml
My Backyard by Meridian Breml
My Wild Place by Amanda Hooper
By knewbern, on September 10th, 2009
A Recipe for Successful Stewards
Begin with a group of enthusiastic adults from all over Door County. Place in an outdoor setting and add some field guides, hand lenses and notebooks. Blend in several presentations on local geology, plant communities, wildlife and watersheds. Mix together well, and allow to interact for eight weeks. This recipe yields a group of dedicated volunteers who are engaged in conservation and preservation efforts throughout the county.
This odd recipe describes a new program in Door County called the Wisconsin Naturalist Program. Wisconsin Naturalists are individuals who have a love for the outdoors, are interested in learning more about our natural resources, and are willing to serve as volunteer land stewards. These students attend 25 hours of classroom and outdoor learning focused on our local ecosystems. During the program, students “adopt” a natural area in which to study and apply what they have learned in the classroom. After completing their training, Wisconsin Naturalists are required to attend 8 hours of additional training and volunteer 25 hours to a local conservation organization or program.
One of the most exciting aspects of this program is seeing how volunteers become environmental stewards, demonstrating ways that we can all help protect and preserve Door County’s natural legacy and encouraging others to get involved. Some of the projects completed by Wisconsin Naturalists in the past year:
- Several Wisconsin Naturalists participated in a Hines Emerald Dragonfly survey this summer. Members assisted researchers from the University of South Dakota, checking for road-killed dragonflies along a section of County Highway Q in Baileys Harbor. The road goes through critical habitat for the federally-endangered dragonfly, and this research is helpful in determining population trends from year to year.
- Led by two Wisconsin Naturalists, third grade students at Gibraltar School explored and learned more about the outdoor classroom adjacent to their school. The students then took a field trip to compare that environment with the diverse habitats of The Ridges Sanctuary.
- Woodside Park in Sturgeon Bay is closer to being weed-free, thanks to the efforts of a Wisconsin Naturalist and the second grade classes at Sawyer School. The students learned about Garlic Mustard and how it was crowding out the wildflowers in the park which lies behind their school. Students then assisted with removing the Garlic Mustard.
- Another Wisconsin Naturalist volunteer monitors bluebird houses in Newport State Park, and leads walks to teach people about bluebirds and the conservation efforts on their behalf.
So far two classes have completed their training as Wisconsin Naturalists. The next session will begin in September 2010. Please call or email for more information.
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The 2010 session of Wisconsin Naturalists will begin Thursday, September 9 and run through November 11. Classroom sessions will be held from 6:00 – 8:30 PM each Thursday at Crossroads at Big Creek, Sturgeon Bay. Field trip dates are September 25 and October 23 (field trip dates are tentative). Please call or email for more information.
