Master Plan Implementation
Summary
In May of 2023, The Ridges Sanctuary Board of Directors unanimously approved the adoption of a 20-year, award winning, Master Plan highlighting the sustainable growth of The Ridges. Approval of this plan followed an extensive one-year development phase. This phase focused on the voices of our community and the strength of our leadership to establish a comprehensive and robust Master Plan. Now we have had our plan for a little over two years, and implementation is well underway…
Master Plan Implementation Progress
Together with the Master Plan Implementation Committee, our staff, and board of directors, we have established a phased approach to implementing important projects in the next 5 years that will have a lasting impact for the future. We have outlined activities for a “pre-campaign” phase called Phase Zero. Plus, we are actively refining the scope of our Education and Research Campuses. These will eventually be the focus of a major fundraising initiative. Additionally, we are working collectively to implement tasks in the Master Plan that are effectively supporting sustainable management of our organization.
As we continue to refine our scope, we are working with appropriate contractors, engineers, and architects to take our facility plan to the next phase.
Phase Zero
Our pre-campaign phase is known as Phase Zero. It consists of infrastructure improvements that provide immediate impact on Ridges operations, support our growing education programming, and address the lack of capacity we have with our current facilities.
These projects are:
- renovating the current North Campus restroom (adjacent to the cabins) to become a year-round facility
- renovating the Kaye and Marshall Cabins to year-round facilities, as well as adding indoor/outdoor classroom space
- constructing a new volunteer workshop
Why are we starting with these projects?
One of the primary challenges to providing impactful educational experiences at The Ridges is a lack of adequate space. The sole classroom in the Nature Center and the historic Kaye and Marshall Cabins on our North Campus have accommodated education and programming since the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center opened in 2015. However, the lack of winterized facilities eliminates the opportunity for regular programming at the Cabins. For example, 18 students in our Forest Days program do not have an official classroom in the winter months, while 500 Natural Christmas attendees share a singular port-a-potty. As interest and demand in Ridges programs continues to grow, year-round restrooms and cabins will make our winter activities more accessible to all.
Volunteer service is essential to The Ridges’ operation. Volunteers play an important role in all facets of the organization, and one of the most important is the Wednesday Crew. This volunteer crew is dedicated to the ongoing maintenance and preservation of the Sanctuary. A new volunteer workshop will provide adequate space to complete important maintenance projects as well as address additional tasks as operations expand.
Project Status
We are happy to announce that these projects have been fully funded through grants, generous private donors, and our own Master Plan Implementation Fund. Even better, these projects are now underway, with construction to be completed by next spring. Local contractors Peil Construction are leading efforts at the restroom and new workshop, while Ahnapee Construction is taking on enhancements at the Cabins.
Pictured here is the bathroom – currently gutted for new plumbing and awaiting further construction!
These projects serve as a precursor to major capital investments focused on the development of an Education Campus and Research Station, as outlined in our Master Plan. Completion of Phase Zero is a demonstration to Ridges members, donors, and partners that we are committed and capable of implementing our Master Plan.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We are thrilled to implement the priorities that our community has identified, allowing us to better accomplish our mission.
Key elements of the Master Plan
A Campus Approach to The Ridges Sanctuary Facilities:
Community Campus
Reconfiguration of the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center to create a larger community space and relocate administration.
Research Campus
Research Stations to house both institutional research and citizen science through adaptive reuse of the Ridges Inn.
A consolidated administrative building to gather staff in a collaborative space.
Education Campus
Learning facilities to serve expanded educational programming.
An indoor/outdoor classroom for year-round education at the North Campus and the Family Discovery Station.
Creating facilities to promote safe and functional use of the Family Discovery Trail.
Enhancement of Core Trails and Outlying Properties:
Boardwalk replacement and wayfinding upgrades for rustic trails in the Heart of the Ridges
New visitor contact station at Logan Creek to allow for educational programming.
Trailhead improvement and trail modifications at Appel’s Bluff.
Sustainable Organization Management:
Land Management Plan
Climate Resiliency Plan
Business and Operations Plan
Market Analysis and Communications Plan
Strategic Action Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did The Ridges develop a 20-year Master Plan?
In 85 years, The Ridges has established many plans for growth but has never developed a comprehensive Master Plan. This Master Plan sets a vision for the next 20 years. Demand for Ridges programming is higher than ever. Plus, our potential to engage in meaningful research and citizen science comes at a critical time. The Master Plan provides a blueprint for the future and assures the organization continues to deliver on its mission. One of the key outcomes of the Master Plan will be a plan for incorporating Ridges Inn & Suites into the operations to expand upon our current potential.
Ridges Inn & Suites became available at a fundamental point in our history. Acquiring Ridges Inn & Suites was a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure invaluable property that protects the Sanctuary, allowing us to significantly expand our mission of education, research, and land preservation. Central to that is protecting Hidden Brook, which bisects the property and is critical habitat for the endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly. We will also look to repurpose the buildings to accommodate the growth of our organization.
What are we working on now?
Phase Zero, a set of projects that include winterizing the North Campus restroom, winterizing the Kaye and Marshall Cabins, and building a new volunteer workshop, is underway. Construction is set to be finished by Spring of 2026. In the meantime, we are continuing to finetune the scope of our next phase.
Will there be a capital campaign?
Yes! But not quite yet. Our Master Plan provides a really incredible framework for what is to come. However, we still have some work to do to know exactly what we need to fundraise for. The Master Plan we developed reflects 20 years of growth, and a fundraising initiative will not cover all 20 years’ worth of projects. Once we have a solid outline of what our near-term goals are, we will enter into a feasibility study with our community of members, donors, and key interest groups. Your support in the development of these initiatives is imperative! If you are interested in discussing these projects or fundraising initiatives, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to our Executive Director, Katie Krouse by phone at 920-839-2802 x 101 or by email at katie@ridgessanctuary.org to discuss.
