Leader: Renata Golden & Jerod Santek, Write On, Door County 

Join us for a nature and writing hike through Write On, Door County's campus. On this hike, we will take time to observe the plants, trees, birds, and other living creatures we see, and listen for the sounds they make in the wind or in their calls. We might even stop to smell the roses. With writing prompts, we will draft short poems or flash prose pieces that we can share with the group or keep to build on in our later work. Bring a notebook, pen or pencil, drawing materials if you would like, and your sense of wonder. This field trip is suitable for adults with all levels of writing experience. Suitable for ages 16 & up.  

CENTRAL. MEET: Write On, Door County 

Limit: 12 

Leaders: Dr. Keir Wefferling & Tony Klingert, UWGB 

Whether you're new to the mosses and liverworts or you've been a bryologist for ages, come and see the incredible diversity of mosses and liverworts in the peatlands of The Ridges Sanctuary. These peatlands are home to about 100 known bryophyte species, and survey efforts in recent years have helped illuminate these often-overlooked plants. Get ready to learn field-identifiable mosses (and some tricky ones, too!) with bryologists Keir Wefferling and Tony Klingert. Suitable for all ages.     

CENTRAL. MEET: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center  

Limit: 15 

Leader: Deneen Wiske 

In this guided hike, we’ll explore the communication environment of the Lake Michigan ecotone—the transition zone where forest, shoreline, and water meet. We’ll observe how the ecosystem listens and communicates, and what that reveals about life at the edge of change. Together, we’ll practice attentive listening—to nature and to each other—and consider how nature is a model for human skills that are needed in places and times of convergence and transition. *Park vehicle admission stickers or passes are required for this field trip. Suitable for ages 16 & up.  

CENTRAL. MEET: Baileys Harbor Town Hall, carpooling required to Toft Point Trailhead. 

Limit: 12 

Leader: Kathleen Marie Garness 

After a quick introduction to botanical drawing techniques, using simple art supplies, participants will examine and draw some of the many plants known from the Ridges Sanctuary. The workshop will review botanical vocabulary and offer a deeper understanding of plant families and their characteristic traits. Suitable for ages 12 & up.  

CENTRAL. MEET: Cabins at The Ridges Sanctuary  

Limit: 12 

Leader: Mary Moskoff 

Historians have discovered some of the first labyrinths in North America were built by Swedish immigrants that arrived along the shores of Lake Michigan. The paths of stone served as a practice of meditative walking as well as trapping trolls to protect their fishing hauls. The field trip starts with the film: A Legacy of Door County Labyrinths followed by a trip to a local outdoor labyrinth. Dress for weather and bring a journal. Suitable for all ages.   

CENTRAL. MEET: Cabins at The Ridges Sanctuary 

Limit: 10 

Leader: Sam Hoffman, TRS

Owned by The Ridges, the 175 acres at the north end of Clark Lake are comprised of various habitats. Paddle along with Ridges Land Manager Sam Hoffman and enjoy all of it from the water! We will begin at Clark Lake and take a leisurely trip into Logan Creek where we will experience a diverse community f illed with many birds, shorelines full of spring flowers, and numerous aquatic plants. Glide through the pond lilies and part the bulrushes as we talk about the cultural and natural history of this beautiful inland lake fed by Logan Creek. This is an easy paddle. Bring binoculars and your own canoe/kayak, paddles, and PFDs. The length of the trip may vary based on wind conditions. Suitable for ages 16 & up.

SOUTH. Meet: Clark Lake Boat Launch, Jacksonport

Limit: 10 Kayaks

Leader: Tom Turriff

Nature can be experienced and translated through many different lenses. Join Tom Turriff for a “hands on” lesson in macro photography, and the ethics of nature photography in natural spaces. We will meet at the Rushes Wilderness Preserve. The trip will begin with a demonstration of technique and discussion of considerations in up-close photography of wildflowers. We will then put this knowledge into practice with an abundance of flowers to photograph. This program is suitable for intermediate and above photographers. A sturdy tripod and an interchangeable lens camera are required (no phones). Shortly after you register, Tom will email you links to reading material which will prepare you for this class. Suitable for ages 18 & up.

CENTRAL. Meet: The Rushes Preserve, Baileys Harbor

Limit: 8

Leader: Cody Bolton

Enjoy an insightful narrative as our 69-passenger tour boat navigates the waters north along Peninsula State Park’s 7-mile shoreline. You’ll learn about the Park’s human and natural history, including the story of the Niagara Escarpment. Have your cameras ready as we cruise past the 145-year-old Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. You’ll also learn about the history of Ephraim and the millionaire’s estate on Horseshoe Island and enjoy an up-close and personal view of Eagle Cave, 40 feet above the shoreline. Finally, you’ll hear stories of French explorers and early Native American inhabitants at Nicolet Bay and have a chance to catch a glimpse of local wildlife along the shores and soaring along the caves high above. Suitable for all ages.

CENTRAL. Meet: Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours, Spruce St Dock, Fish Creek

Limit: 58

Please Note: This field trip is not discounted for anyone under the age of 16. When registering, please select "No" when prompted, "This registration is for a participant under the age of 16 years" EVEN IF the participant is under 16.