Category: Fauna

The forest teaches us many things; we just need to know where to look and how to listen. The winter season brings the lesson of life and allows us to see movement of animals in a way that no other season can. While most animals are elusive and not always seen while hiking, the ground cover of snow allows us to understand activities of active, resident animals in our area through deer beds, middens, scat, and tracks.

Now that the snow is flying, so too are Snowy Owls. This highly mobile species breeds and winters further north than any other owl. Most people encounter them only when the birds have dispersed far south of their arctic breeding range. Indeed, the causes and patterns of their movements are not understood with certainty, though decades of banding, telemetry, and satellite tracking efforts, in conjunction with environmental data, are shedding new light.

We all have a process and routine for how to go about the transition from fall to the winter season. Animals and plants also go through a process - it just looks a little different. Learn about seasonal preparations we see in some of the animals and plants that we find here at The Ridges, and maybe in your own backyard too!  

Nature Notes: Helping Wisconsin Bats By Anna Foster, Program Director Imagine walking down a boardwalk by the light of the moon, feeling the cool breeze from Lake Michigan through the […]

As our planet warms and ecosystems shift, we must not go gentle into this climate crisis. Species like the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly face mounting threats, while invasive species spread into disrupted habitats. The Boreal and Temperate Mesic Forest Survivability Project shows how science and action can push back. Reforestation, research, and resilience matter. Climate change demands urgency—not resignation. Even uncertain efforts are better than none. Doing nothing is surrender. But together, we can still make a difference.

Collaborative research at The Ridges deepens our understanding of biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate—advancing science while protecting this unique natural sanctuary for future generations.

Summer brings back memories of barefoot adventures, backyard games, and family time in nature. Discover how outdoor experiences can strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.

Photo by Andrew Pirrung By Jackie Rath As we consider our roles as individuals and community members, there is a special sense of place that The Ridges Sanctuary and the […]

Discover the beauty of art in nature, where patterns meet unpredictability, and wildness coexists with calm. Explore the Fibonacci sequence, intricate textures of moss and lichen, and the quiet inspiration found in forests. Celebrate Earth Week with a student art exhibit at The Ridges Sanctuary, showcasing creative interpretations of nature’s wonders.

Nature Notes: Owl Prowling By Dan Scheiman, PhD, Staff Ornithologist/Visitor Engagement Specialist We’ve heard from some of our readers regarding concerns about the use of playback for calling owls. First, […]