Our Story
- In 1937, The Ridges Sanctuary became Wisconsin’s first land trust. For 80 years it 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 30 acre parcel, The Ridges has grown thoughtfully and strategically to ensure the protection of the most biologically diverse ecosystem in Wisconsin.
Visit Us
- The Cook-Albert Fuller Center, Hidden Brook Boardwalk, and nature trails are open year-round. Come and explore all The Ridges has to offer. From guided hikes to tours of the Range Lights, The Ridges offers adults, families, and tour groups a wide variety of options for their visit.
Education
- The Ridges is committed to providing education programs for both children and adults. Our goal is to increase the appreciation for our rich natural landscape and to foster connections with the natural world. We provide several programs, year-round, that are great for adults, children, and families. The Ridges strives to meet its mission of education and outreach.
Land Preservation
- The Ridges is named for its distinctive topography - a series of 30 ridges and swales formed by the movement of Lake Michigan over the past 1100 years. Today, The Ridges owns 1,600 acres in and around Baileys Harbor. 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.
Research
- The Ridges and surrounding landscapes have been recognized as the most biologically diverse area in the State by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. To protect The Ridges, research initiatives must provide an understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics and connections to the larger landscapes or watersheds.
Publications
- The Ridges has a number of resources available to help you learn more about this amazing place.

The Ridges Sanctuary

Preservation, Education, and Research

Festival of Nature 2020

The 2020 Festival of Nature has been Canceled

Registration Instructions

Select program you wish to register for.
Indicate your quantity for the program and click “Register” on bottom left.
Fill out the questions for each participant. NOTE: if you wish to copy the same information for all participants, take advantage of the “Apply to all Tickets” or “Same as Above” buttons below each field in the registration form.
- An “Auto-fill” drop down will appear for additional program registrations. Select the individual that applies to speed up the registration process.
Click “Add to Cart”.
Items remain in your cart for 20 minutes.
Continue Shopping or proceed to Check Out.

Thursday, September 3rd Evening

Festival Dinner Cost: $35 Limit: 170

Beverage Service 4:30PM

Dinner Seating 5:00PM

Keynote Presentation 6:30PM

Friday, Sept. 4th Morning

Coffee Clutch with John Bates and Mary Burns 8:00-9:00AM FREE

1. Plum and Pilot Island Tour

2. Horseshoe Bay Farms Tour – NEW

3. Segway Ridges Road

4. Guided Kayak on Kangaroo Lake – NEW

5. Kangaroo Lake Area Bird Diversity – NEW

6. Woods at Monument Point – NEW

7. With Love from Nature @ The Ridges – NEW

8. Cozy up to Conifers

9. Kayak Nature, Discovery Tour of North Bay

10. Explore the Mink River Preserve with The Nature Conservancy

11. Explore the Miller Conservation Easement

12. Explore Open Door Bird Sanctuary

13. Lakeside Coastal Tour

Friday, Sept. 4th Afternoon

14. Segway Cave Point

15. Explore Open Door Bird Sanctuary

16. Experience the Brey Cycle Demo Farm

17. Explore Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve

18. The Plants of the Niagara Escarpment – NEW

19. Natural Soundscapes and the Spirit of Place – NEW

20. Restoration and Hydrology at Oak Road Preserve – NEW

21. Ellison Bay Bluff Exploration

22. Flower Form and Function

23. Wildness Within – NEW

Friday, Sept. 4th Evening

Wonder of Weaving with Mary Burns 5:30PM FREE

Saturday, Sept. 5th Morning

24. Baileys Harbor Bird City Tour

25. Birding & Walking Door County’s Natural Areas FULL DAY

26. Mud Lake Paddle

27. Plum and Pilot Island Tour

28. Waseda Farms Exploratory Wagon Ride

29. Going on a Bear Hunt – NEW

(Suitable for families with children walking – 4 years old)

30. Fossil Excursion

31. Sunrise Garden Meditation – NEW

32. Old Growth Forest – NEW

33. Explore Solitude Natural Area

34. Ramsar Wetlands of the Door Peninsula

35. Wildflower Exploration – NEW

36. Europe Lake Exploration

37. Major Myths and Misconceptions about Evolution – NEW

38. Lakeside Coastal Tour

39. Wilderness Survival 101 – Middle School Adventure Program NEW

Saturday, Sept. 5th Afternoon

40. Explore The Ridges Sanctuary

41. Clark Lake Paddle Excursion – NEW

42. Explore the Mink River Estuary

43. Traditional Uses of Plants by Indigenous People

44. Lighthouse Bike Tour

45. Terrestrial Invertebrates of The Ridges Sanctuary

46. Fossil Excursion

47. The Evolution of Colors in Nature

48. Ramsar Wetlands of the Door Peninsula

49. Explore Toft Point

Saturday, Sept. 5th Evening

50. Nature at Night – NEW

Sunday, Sept. 6th Morning

51. The Birdy Bus

52. Yoga and Meditation at Toft Point

53. Waseda Farms Exploratory Wagon Ride

54. Segway Ridges Road

55. Clark Lake Bike Tour

56. Lakeside Coastal Tour

Sold Out status will be indicated on the registration page. This page will be updated daily.

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