By cschuster, on August 19th, 2010
The Ridges Sanctuary is a 1,600 acre pristine natural area located in Door County, Wisconsin. Formed in 1937, it’s the oldest private nature preserve in the state. The Ridges is designated as a State Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark, an Audubon Important Birding Area, and a Wisconsin Wetland Gem.
The Sanctuary is open to the public year-round, and features native wildflowers along its five miles of rustic trails and bridges. Naturalist-led tours, youth and family programs, and a weekly lecture series highlight the summer season. Snowshoe hikes and family programs are featured during January, February and March. The Nature Center featuring a wide variety of quality nature-related books and gifts, is open mid-May through mid-October. More about The Ridges Sanctuary.
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ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Year around there are activities and events happening at The Ridges. Some are educational, some are to raise money, and some are just for fun and to give back to the community. More about events at The Ridges Sanctuary.
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Education Programs
The Ridges Sanctuary is committed to the effort of educating children and adults to appreciate and connect with nature. From camps in the summer, school programs in the Fall, Winter, & Spring, to the Wisconsin Naturalist program and various workshops and guided hikes throughout the year, The Ridges strives to meet its mission of education. More on education programs at The Ridges Sanctuary.
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 cschuster, on August 10th, 2009
Wisconsin’s oldest member-based nature preserve, celebrates over 72 years of connecting the Door County community with nature! Founded by pioneers in Wisconsin’s conservation movement, the 1600-acre wildflower preserve is a Door County treasure, harboring one of the largest concentrations of rare plants in the Midwest.
The Ridges is also recognized as:
- The most biologically diverse area in Wisconsin, with over 475 plant species
- Location of 25 of the 45 orchid species native to Wisconsin
- National Audubon Society Important Bird Area designation
- Wisconsin Wetland Gem designation
- National Natural Landmark
- Wisconsin State Natural Area
Visit our 5 miles of sanctuary trails daily, from dawn to dusk. It is a great place to hike or participate in one of our programs.
- Self-guided or naturalist-led hikes
- Children’s programs
- Thursday evening programs
- Annual Door County Festival of Nature host
- Nature Center with hands on activities
- Workshops and outings
