The Ridges Sanctuary

Preservation, Education, and Research

Earth Week

What is Earth Week?

Many Wisconsinites might be surprised that the first Earth Day has close ties to their state! The 1950s and 60s were bustling decades for Americans, but over time they revealed the cost of urbanization and large-scale industrial production: pollution. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, published in 1962, propelled the issue of air and water pollution to the center stage of popular media.  

In 1969, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a rally to raise awareness about the air and water pollution occurring in the United States. Roping in other senators and activists, plans for events on the day of April 22nd began to pop up all over the country. On April 22nd, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to bring awareness to the environmental crisis. At the time, this was 10% of the entire population of the United States! 

The first Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in December of 1970. The mission of the EPA was to set standards for air and water quality, research and monitor environmental issues across the country, and work with states to establish their own environmental regulations.  

Gaylord Nelson went on to help bring many other environmental protection bills to life. On the 25th anniversary of the first Earth Day, he gave a speech, stating, "The opportunity for a gradual but complete break with our destructive environmental history and a new beginning is at hand.... We can measure up to the challenge if we have the will to do so — that is the only question. I am optimistic that this generation will have the foresight and the will to begin the task of forging a sustainable society." 

Today, Earth Day is celebrated across the globe. In fact, many organizations and cities choose to celebrate Earth Week, bringing awareness to environmental issues and celebrating the planet and its stewards.  

Earth Week at The Ridges

At The Ridges, we like to celebrate Earth Day every day by protecting and preserving land, teaching the public about this biologically diverse area, and inspiring people to protect their own communities. This year, we’re committed to focusing on sustainability. We started in January with our second annual book club, Ridges Reads, where we discussed Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Our last discussion of the series will take place on Tuesday, April 6th from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm.   

This Earth week, April 17th – 22nd, The Ridges will be celebrating sustainability in and outside of the sanctuary! See our list of events below and be sure to save them to your calendar!


Events

Wednesday, April 19th 

Tree Transplant @ 10:00 am 

Want to get your hands dirty this Earth Week? We’ve got a job for you! Join us at The Ridges to help us move tree seedlings between the Range Lights and find them a new home in the sanctuary. Tree transplanting is a more environmentally friendly way to landscape or remove trees from a habitat. It can also help seedlings survive in a more suitable environment.  At The Ridges, tree transplanting allows us to keep the Range Light corridor clear to abide by Coastguard regulations and maintain a critical open space for maritime travel while saving tree species and restoring other habitats within the sanctuary! 

We’ll provide instructions for how to transplant the trees as well as all the necessary equipment for transplanting. We’ll start by removing trees from the corridor, then we’ll move them to another location to transplant. This will be a hands-on activity. Bring your own gloves, shovels, and buckets if you can and clothes that can get muddy! This event meets at the Workshop on our North Campus off County Q. If you’re interested in attending, contact anna@ridgessanctuary.org 

Thursday, April 20th 

Lake Lesson with Sam Hoffman, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 

On Thursday evening at 6:00 pm, join us at the Cook-Fuller Nature Center for a Lake Lesson with Land Manager Sam Hoffman. Sam will give a presentation on the Range Light Corridor restoration project and land management practices at The Ridges Sanctuary. Location: Cook-Fuller Nature Center, 8166 State Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor. Fee: None 

Pre-registration is required; Click here to register! 

Saturday, April 22nd 

Every Day is Earth Day, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Join us, along with other organizations, at this years’ Every Day is Earth Day event at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor! Visit our table to learn about Citizen Science opportunities at The Ridges, other ways to get involved, and how to take steps toward living sustainably! Be sure to check out other great organizations’ tables and activities!  

Location: Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church Street, Egg Harbor. 

Ridge & Swale Film Premier 

The Ridges is excited to work with Peninsula Filmworks on the film Ridge & Swale: Celebrating the Legacy of Conservation and Community, premiering on April 22nd. The film celebrates the unique history and ecology of the Door County peninsula and highlights the importance of protecting this beautiful place. More information about the film premier locations and times to follow! 


Resources

Want to learn more about Earth Day and initiatives that you can take in your community? Check out the resources below.  

https://www.earthday.org/ 

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/wnrmag/2020/Spring/EarthDay 

https://regeneration.org/ 

https://www.eekwi.org/make-earth-day-everyday 

https://www.epa.gov/history/origins-epa 

http://www.nelsonearthday.net/ 

What’s happening in Door County this Earth Week?  

www.ridgessanctuary.org/ 

https://doorcountypulse.com/earth-day-festival-april-21-24/ 

https://kresspavilion.org/ededfest/ 

http://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/restoring-piece-earth/ 

https://northernskytheater.com/