The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc.

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The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc. The Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, Hidden Brook Boardwalk and nature trails are open year-round! A unique pristine nature area on the Lake Michigan shore.

Made up of a series of beach ridges and swales, the Sanctuary harbors a diversity of habitats which makes it the most biologically diverse area in Wisconsin. On the property are the historic Baileys Harbor Range Lights that used to guide ships into Baileys Harbor when it was the busiest harbor on Lake Michigan north of Milwaukee.

Exciting progress is underway at The Ridges Sanctuary!As part of Phase Zero of our Master Plan, several improvements are...
10/10/2026

Exciting progress is underway at The Ridges Sanctuary!

As part of Phase Zero of our Master Plan, several improvements are taking shape across our North Campus. Among these are renovations to our restroom facility and the historic Kaye and Marshall Cabins.

We are grateful to the generous donors, grant funders, and community partners who have made this progress possible!

To learn more, read our recent press release here: https://ridgessanctuary.org/the-ridges-sanctuary-celebrates-year-round-upgrades-and-looks-ahead-to-new-volunteer-workshop/

We are incredibly grateful to Off the Wheel Pottery and artist Renee Schwaller for creating this beautiful, one-of-a-kin...
10/08/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Off the Wheel Pottery and artist Renee Schwaller for creating this beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece in support of The Ridges Sanctuary!

Titled “THE RIDGES,” this handcrafted decorative bowl captures the beauty of our unique landscape through its intricate details, vibrant colors, and nature-inspired design. It is a wonderful tribute to the natural spaces we work to protect, and we are honored that all proceeds from its silent auction will benefit The Ridges Sanctuary.

A huge thank you to Renee and Off the Wheel Pottery for supporting our mission through their artwork. We also want to thank everyone who has already participated in the auction and shown their support!

Interested in placing a bid? Stop by Off the Wheel Pottery during open hours before the auction closes on October 15! Check out their original post for more details.

The Ridges Nature Center will be closed today, October 5, for our Staff Retreat!Our trails remain open from dawn until d...
10/05/2026

The Ridges Nature Center will be closed today, October 5, for our Staff Retreat!

Our trails remain open from dawn until dusk, so you can still get outside and enjoy the Sanctuary.

We’ll see you when the Nature Center reopens on Tuesday, October 6!

Blast from the Past: The Upper Range LightAs fall settles in at The Ridges, we’re looking back at one of the Sanctuary’s...
10/02/2026

Blast from the Past: The Upper Range Light

As fall settles in at The Ridges, we’re looking back at one of the Sanctuary’s most recognizable landmarks. These photos show how the Upper Range Light has changed over the years, from its earlier days to the familiar view visitors know today.

Swipe through the years and take in a little Ridges history. How far back does your memory of the Upper Range Light go?

It's officially Fall at The Ridges Sanctuary! Watch the tamaracks begin to change on one of our Sanctuary Guided Hikes o...
10/01/2026

It's officially Fall at The Ridges Sanctuary! Watch the tamaracks begin to change on one of our Sanctuary Guided Hikes or explore all the ways nature can inspire art with our Natural Dyes and Photography Workshops. However you decide to celebrate the fall season, there is something for you at The Ridges.
Some programs require registration. They fill quickly, and class sizes are limited. Registering online in advance is the best way to secure your spot for a program. Tiny Trekkers and Night Hikes are all recurring programs that will continue through the month of October. For more information, visit ridgessanctuary.org.

09/29/2026

Mushrooms of The Ridges!

Our Sanctuary is home to a variety of mushrooms! From tiny caps tucked along the trail to colorful fungi growing across the forest floor, fall is a great time to slow down and see what's popping up throughout the Sanctuary.

See the mushrooms for yourself during one of our fall hikes! Explore the trails, take in the changing season, and keep an eye out for fungi along the way.

Citizen Science plays an important role in the research and conservation work happening at The Ridges Sanctuary.From pla...
09/28/2026

Citizen Science plays an important role in the research and conservation work happening at The Ridges Sanctuary.

From plant monitoring and water quality testing to bird, bat, and climate research, volunteers help collect valuable data that supports a better understanding of Door County’s natural environment.

Read more about the many ways citizen scientists contribute to ongoing research at The Ridges in our latest blog: https://ridgessanctuary.org/nature-notes-citizen-science-at-the-ridges/

Photo: Two Ridges volunteers monitor water quality at Hidden Brook as part of ongoing citizen science research at The Ridges Sanctuary.

Happy first day of fall! As we step into a new season, we’re taking a look back at a summer filled with exploration, dis...
09/22/2026

Happy first day of fall!

As we step into a new season, we’re taking a look back at a summer filled with exploration, discovery, and plenty of time spent outdoors at The Ridges.

Young explorers took to the trails through Tiny Trekkers and Backpack Adventure Camp, learning about everything from orchids and monarchs to the critters that live in our forests and swales. Each week, Free Fridays brought something new to discover, with activities exploring moss, dragonflies, water, carnivorous plants, fungi, wildlife, and more.

Our volunteers were busy throughout the season too. Our Garden Crew cared for our native plantings surrounding our nature center, while the Wednesday Crew worked on trails, boardwalks, buildings, and grounds throughout the Sanctuary. At our Logan Creek property, volunteers spent much of the summer building and improving boardwalks.

Out in the Sanctuary, our research team, interns, and seasonal staff spent the summer learning from the landscapes we work to protect. At the same time, wildflowers bloomed, wildlife made plenty of appearances, and visitors explored the ridges and swales throughout the season.

A lot happened in one Door County summer, and we’re grateful to everyone who explored, learned, volunteered, researched, and spent part of it with us.

Now, we’re ready to see what fall brings! Follow along on social media and visit our website to see all the exciting programs and events coming up this season.

Please join us in welcoming a new staff member to The Ridges team, Aleda Chambers!Aleda joins us as this year’s WisCorps...
09/18/2026

Please join us in welcoming a new staff member to The Ridges team, Aleda Chambers!

Aleda joins us as this year’s WisCorps Individual Placement Environmental Educator. Originally from the suburbs of Milwaukee, she has spent the past four years studying Environmental Education and Interpretation at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. She spent the past two summers as the lead Naturalist at Peninsula State Park and is excited to bring that experience to her new position at The Ridges! She will assist with Dragonfly Nature Preschool, lead guided hikes, and take over the Sevastopol Forest Days program. Outside of work, Aleda enjoys bird watching, crafting, and exploring Door County's many outdoor spaces.

We are thrilled to have Aleda on the team and look forward to all they will bring to The Ridges!

Curious about Wisconsin’s bats? Join us at The Ridges Sanctuary for the Wisconsin Bat Wingding! Learn more about these f...
09/15/2026

Curious about Wisconsin’s bats? Join us at The Ridges Sanctuary for the Wisconsin Bat Wingding!

Learn more about these fascinating nighttime neighbors through a variety of programs, including a Bat House Building Workshop, Bat Chats Guided Night Hikes, and “Roost Report: All About America’s Bats,” presented by Dr. Gerald Zuercher from the University of Dubuque.

Build your own bat house to provide shelter for native bat species, explore the Sanctuary after dark while listening for bats with an acoustic monitor, and discover more about bat adaptations, life cycles, sounds, and the challenges facing bat populations today.

Registration is requested; visit ridgessanctuary.org for program details and registration.

We hope you’ll join us for a celebration of Wisconsin’s bats and leave with a new appreciation for these important members of our ecosystem!

Photo: Troy Gipps

Address

8166 State Highway 57
Baileys Harbor, WI
54202

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+19208392802

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