Free Fridays at The Ridges Sanctuary

Increasing Connection with Nature and Community Access

Baileys Harbor, Wis. (August 19, 2024) – It’s not every day that you see a Monarch caterpillar munching on milkweed, or a dragonfly zigzagging along in search of mosquitoes and midges. This is a common occurrence at The Ridges Sanctuary, however, and one of many experiences that The Ridges has been sharing with families at its Free Fridays program this summer.

The Free Fridays program offers free admission to families each Friday through the month of August. In addition to complimentary admission to the trails, each Friday program explores a different theme, allowing visitors to learn new aspects of the flora and fauna found in the sanctuary. Afternoon activities and learning experiences take place along the ADA-compliant Hidden Brook Boardwalk and in front of the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center. Families can also take advantage of a “Free Fridays Passport” and collect a prize in the Nature Center after collecting five or more stamps.

“Our goal is to increase appreciation of the natural world, foster connections with nature, and expand access to the community,” says Ridges Naturalist Amy Shook. “The Free Fridays program is made possible by 100+ Women Who Care Door County,” she added. “Since July, we’ve been able to welcome over 1,500 participants to this program.”

Themes for the remaining sessions in August are:
August 23: Monarchs
August 30: Lichens

For more information about the Free Fridays program, go to RidgesSanctuary.org.