The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary

Welcome sign and National Natural Landmark sign
Map showing the location of The Ridges Sanctuary

Map of Wisconsin

Location Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, United States
Coordinates 45°04′22″N 87°07′07″W / 45.0729°N 87.1187°WCoordinates: 45°04′22″N 87°07′07″W / 45.0729°N 87.1187°W
Area 1,600 acres (650 ha)
Established 1937
http://ridgessanctuary.org/
Designated 1967

INTRODUCTION

Since 1937, The Ridges Sanctuary has been an integral part of the rich, natural setting of the Baileys Harbor community and the Door County Peninsula. Founded to preserve the original 40 acre parcel, The Ridges is Wisconsin's first land trust and has grown thoughtfully and strategically to ensure the protection of the most biologically diverse ecosystem in Wisconsin. Between 1938 and 1946, the Sanctuary grew to 520 acres through land acquisitions from its membership. By its 50th anniversary in 1987, the membership had acquired an additional 480 acres, bringing the Sanctuary to a total of 1000 acres. Beginning in 1989, a combination of stewardship funds, grants and purchased or donated member land, resulted in the acquisition of critical areas affecting The Ridges and Logan Creek watersheds. In cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and through Fish & Wildlife grants, The Ridges continues to identify and acquire small parcels of land within its designated project area. Today, with the support of over 3,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada, The Ridges permanently protects over 1600 acres of the most critical lands in the Door County community.


The Sanctuary is named for its distinctive topography – a series of 30 ridges and swales formed by the movement of Lake Michigan over the past 1400 years. This ridge-swale complex provides a wide range of environmental conditions, from open beach to densely shaded conifer forest. Nearly 500 different species of plants, including 25 species of native orchids, populate these varied habitats which are also home to over 60 species of breeding birds and 12 threatened or endangered species, including the federally endangered Hine’s Emerald dragonfly. Each year, thousands visit these pristine acres where orchids continue to thrive along trails and boardwalks much as they did when these paths were first cleared by founding members in 1938.


In recognition of its rich diversity, The Ridges Sanctuary has been designated as a Wisconsin State Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service, a National Audubon Important Bird Area and a Wisconsin Wetland Gem.


HISTORY: THE EVOLUTION OF A MISSION & A MOVEMENT

In 1935, Albert Fuller, then Curator of Botany at the Milwaukee Public Museum, began spending a great deal of time traveling between Milwaukee and Door County, studying the rare flora which flourished on a parcel of land in Baileys Harbor.


What began as field work quickly developed into an important conservation initiative. Fuller discovered that the parcel was leased to the county by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and that the county planned to develop a trailer park there. Thus began a two-year period of education and advocacy. Fuller gave countless presentations -- often with his friend and fellow conservationist, Jens Jensen – to many residents of Baileys Harbor and the surrounding area, including Emma Toft and Olivia Traven. In 1937, these citizens and others formed The Ridges Sanctuary to protect the original 40 acres.


The founding of The Ridges created a ripple effect in Door County, setting the stage for important and effective future conservation efforts on the peninsula – by The Nature Conservancy beginning in 1962 and the Door County Land Trust beginning in 1986. The impact of The Ridges has been felt at the state level, as well. Albert Fuller recognized the importance of natural areas and the consequences of their loss. Inspired by the early success of The Ridges and its founding mission, he worked alongside Aldo Leopold, botanist Norman Fassett and plant ecologist John Curtis to advocate for the conservation of wildflowers as a natural resource. Ultimately, these scientists were instrumental in the creation of the State Board for the Preservation of Scientific Areas, the first state-sponsored natural area protection program in the nation. That first board evolved into the State Natural Areas Program which today encompasses 653 sites and more than 358,000 acres of land and water, protecting more than 90% of the plants and 75% of the animals on Wisconsin's list of endangered and threatened species. (“Wisconsin Endangered Resources Report” December 1991)


Fuller’s model has endured and today forms the three pillars of the mission which governs The Ridges Sanctuary: To protect the Sanctuary and inspire stewardship of natural areas through programs of education, outreach and research. For 75 years, those principles have guided the Ridges not only in land acquisition and protection, but in a broad array of education, outreach and research initiatives which make the Sanctuary accessible to the public and encourage private and personal land stewardship.


TODAY: LIVING THE MISSION

In October of 2011, following a successful fundraising effort, The Ridges purchased the Sandpiper restaurant property in the heart of Baileys Harbor as the site for its new Interpretive Center. Through a series of interviews, focus groups and workshops, The Ridges achieved consensus on site selection, building design, interpretative exhibits and a new handicapped access trail system to connect the new Center to the existing trail system through a series of restored ridges and swales. In addition, on less sensitive land across highway 57 purchased to help protect the watershed, a new bike trail and the Family Discovery trail will be included in the project plan as a direct result of feedback that was provided.


Following the acquisition of the Sandpiper property, The Ridges embarked upon a $3.5 million capital campaign to fund the new facility, the first LEED certified commercial building in Door County. This campaign, the largest fundraising effort in Ridges history, was completed in November of 2013, just six months after the public launch of the campaign and the announcement f a $1 million lead gift from lifetime member, the late Chester Cook.


Named for lead donor Chester Cook and the catalyst for the founding of The Ridges, botanist Albert Fuller, the Cook-Albert Fuller Center will serve as the foundation for the future vision for The Ridges Sanctuary and will secure its place in the community for generations to come.


Groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled for spring of 2014 with a grand opening in late spring to early summer of 2015.



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