The Ridges Sanctuary
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| The Ridges Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
 Welcome sign and National Natural Landmark sign | |
  Map of Wisconsin | |
| Location | Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°04′22″N 87°07′07″W / 45.0729°N 87.1187°W |
| Area | 1,600 acres (650 ha) |
| Established | 1937 |
| ridgessanctuary | |
| Designated | 1967 |
The Ridges Sanctuary is a 1,600-acre (650 ha) nature preserve and land trust in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. It is listed as a National Natural Landmark, Important Bird Area and Wisconsin State Natural Area.[1] It was founded in 1937 and was the first land trust in the state.[2][3]
The sanctuary is also home to the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, which were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[4]
The Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center opened in 2015.[5] The 7,400-square foot facility is LEED certified,[6] and includes displays about the preserve's karst topography, wildflowers, plants, animals and the history of the site's founding.
The sanctuary includes a small amount of the raw humus rendzina soil type, which is globally uncommon.[7] and is also found in the Marshall's Point State Natural Area, a residential development not open to the public.[8]
Although the sanctuary is home to wild orchids, it also operates an orchid restoration project to cultivate and introduce rare orchids into otherwise natural plant communities.[9] 25 native orchid species are currently kept at the Ridges.[10] A 1998 survey of wild, native orchids was carried out in response to continued theft of the sanctuary orchids. 28 species were identified.[11]
Climate
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Gallery
Baileys Harbor Range Lights
Survey marker in the sanctuary
Plaque near the base of the range lights
Chalk-fronted corporal dragonfly in June at the Ridges
Trail at the sanctuary, November 27, 2021
