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2008-2012 Strategic Plan

Current By Laws

The mission of The Ridges Sanctuary
is to protect the Sanctuary and
inspire stewardship of natural areas
through programs of education, outreach and research.

The Showy Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium reginae, is the symbol of
The Ridges Sanctuary. Photo by Nile S. Dusdieker.

The Ridges Sanctuary is comprised of 1,600 acres of pristine natural areas located in Door County, Wisconsin. Formed in 1937, it is the oldest nonprofit nature preserve in the state. The Ridges is also designated as a State Natural Area, an Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark.

The Sanctuary is open to the public year-round, and features native wildflowers along its five miles of rustic trails and bridges. Education programs are also offered year-round. Naturalist-led hikes, youth and family programs, and a weekly lecture series highlight the summer season. Snowshoe hikes and family programs are featured during January, February and March. The Nature Store, featuring a wide variety of quality nature-related books and gifts, is open mid-May through mid-October.

In order to protect and preserve the rare and beautiful plants and animals in the Sanctuary, we ask that all visitors follow the rules listed below.

1. The picking or disturbing of any plants, living or dead, is strictly prohibited.

2. Hikers must stay on the trails and/or bridges at all times. Many species of
fragile plants grow within inches of the trails' edges.

    3. Vehicles, including bicycles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATV's, baby
         strollers, etc. are prohibited. This is due to the narrow trails and the
         fragile nature of the Sanctuary.

4. Pets are not allowed, either leashed or unleashed.

5. Please don't litter.

6. Be courteous of other visitors by not yelling, running, or distracting others
from the quiet and peacefulness of the Sanctuary.

7. The entire Sanctuary is a no smoking area.

How to Find Us:

     From State Highway 57, turn east on County Highway Q at the north edge of Baileys
     Harbor. The Ridges Sanctuary is the first driveway on the right (8288 Hwy Q). Trails from the
     parking lot lead to the Nature Center, restrooms (open mid-May through mid-October) and the
     beginning of the hiking trails.

Hours of Operation:

            Nature Center (open May 16 through October 12):
                            9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday
                                   10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday

Office: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays

Trails: Open from dawn to dusk every day

Trail Fees:

$3.00 adult
Children under 18 free

Ridges members may hike the trails at no charge.

Trail maps are available at the Nature Center from mid-May through mid-October. You can also download and print the map by clicking here.

The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc.
P.O. Box 152
Baileys Harbor WI 54202-0152
Office: 920-839-2802
FAX: 920-839-2234
Nature Store: 920-839-1101
info@ridgesanctuary.org

This website is copyrighted 2005 by The Ridges Sanctuary,
P.O. Box 152, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.

The site was created by Karen Newbern using MS FrontPage, using original photographs and drawings by Paul Burton.

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