The Ridges Sanctuary

Preservation, Education, and Research

Category: Nature Notes

The Volunteer Magic Behind Natural Christmas

Posted on Nov 27, 2023 by Jackie Rath   1 Comment | Posted in Articles · Featured · Nature Notes

By Anna Foster, Program Director This November, while the rest of the peninsula is winding down, The Ridges is preparing for one of our biggest – and certainly the most festive – events of the year. Staff and volunteers spend countless hours getting ready for the event of the season. Two volunteers in particular have [..Read more]

Nature Notes: Monarch Madness

Posted on Aug 17, 2023 by Jeanne Farrell   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Featured · Nature Notes · Uncategorized

by Anna Foster, Director of Programming A symbol of summer, monarch butterflies are widely recognized for their bright orange, black, and white spotted wings. Their scientific name, Danaus plexippus, translates to “sleepy transformation” in Greek, referring to their incredible ability to metamorphosize. From their larval stage, they form a chrysalis, spending two weeks metamorphizing into [..Read more]

Nature Notes: The Hidden Gem of the Sanctuary

Posted on Jul 27, 2023 by Jackie Rath   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Featured · Nature Notes

By Jackie Rath, Program Coordinator Did you know that one of the most precious species of The Ridges Sanctuary is the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana)? This winged wonder is listed as Federally endangered and its largest populations are found in Door County, particularly in The Ridges Sanctuary and surrounding wetlands. In fact, the Hine’s [..Read more]

Nature Notes: Evergreens & The Boreal Forest

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Jeanne Farrell   2 Comments | Posted in Articles · Blog · Featured · Nature Notes

By Anna Foster While Trillium, Yellow Lady’s Slippers, and Columbine are starting to unfurl in wooded lots along the peninsula, Dwarf Lake Iris and Marsh Marigolds are on display in the Sanctuary. Throughout the year, Ridges blooms trail slightly behind the rest of Door County. In fact, it’s about 10 degrees cooler in Baileys Harbor [..Read more]

Nature Notes: A Sedge of Cranes

Posted on Apr 12, 2023 by Jackie Rath   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Featured · Nature Notes

By Katie Krouse Have you traveled to Nebraska to experience the sandhill crane migration? If not, I highly recommend it!   A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to visit the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary to experience the humbling migration of sandhill cranes. When I say humbling, I mean humbling -overwhelming – magnificent [..Read more]

Nature Notes: The Silent Art of Owling

Posted on Feb 22, 2023 by Jeanne Farrell   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Featured · Nature Notes

By Anna Foster and Jackie Rath Owls of Interest Last February, we wrote a blog all about the common species of owls found in Door County, which you can access HERE. Common owls in Door County include the Barred Owl, the Great Horned owl, the Eastern Screech-Owl, the Saw Whet Owl, and the Snowy Owl. [..Read more]

Nature Notes: Snow Science

Posted on Dec 1, 2022 by Jeanne Farrell   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Nature Notes · Uncategorized

By Anna Foster  If you’re anything like me, you might have groaned when you saw the first dusting of snow two weeks ago. The winter season brings opportunities for adventuring on snowshoes, cross country skis, snowmobiles, and ice skates… but it also means getting up 30 minutes earlier to shovel off your car. However, annoying [..Read more]

Nature Notes: Deer on the Run – Wisconsin White-tails

Posted on Nov 7, 2022 by Jeanne Farrell   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Homepage Photo Gallery Images · In the News · Nature Notes

By Anna Foster and Jackie Rath The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources refers to the large population of white-tailed deer as an iconic and important part of the Wisconsin landscape and culture. And depending on your point of view, deer can be either a wonderful or troublesome part of living in Wisconsin. Growing up in [..Read more]

The Golden Glory of Tamarack Trees

Posted on Oct 31, 2022 by Jeanne Farrell   No Comments Yet | Posted in Blog · Featured · Homepage Photo Gallery Images · Nature Notes

By Sheryl Honig, PhD, Environmental Educator You may not think of The Ridges’ boreal forest as a destination for viewing fall color.  The sandy ridges are home to conifers like hemlock, spruce, balsam fir, and cedar.  These conifers are evergreen and don’t explode with color in the fall.  But there is one conifer that puts [..Read more]