Leader: Eric Kastelic, Geological Engineering PhD Student, UW-Madison

Learn about research using tree rings from towering red and white pine trees to understand groundwater and surface water interactions of The Ridges Sanctuary. The field trip will begin with an overview presentation of the geology and hydrology of ridge and swale complexes and highlights from years of f ieldwork. Followed by an approximately 2-mile guided hike along ridges trails to showcase groundwater monitoring and tree coring methods. Suitable for ages 12 & up.

CENTRAL. Meet: Cabins at The Ridges Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor

Limit: 12

Leader: Prof. John Luczaj, UWGB

Join us for a tour of The Ridges Sanctuary, led by Prof. John Luczaj (UW-Green Bay). The field trip will present the geology of Baileys Harbor and the formation of its beach ridges, the origin of the Door Peninsula’s many shoreline embayments, and the glacial history of northeastern Wisconsin. You may also bring rocks or fossils to be identified (before or after the tour in the cabin area). Suitable for ages 12 & up.

CENTRAL. Meet: Cabins at The Ridges Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor

Limit: 15

Leader: Allan Hyland & Emily Butteris

Dive into the Wisconsin Ledge AVA (American Viticultural Area) by visiting a vineyard site to talk viticulture and enology with the growing, winemaking team from Mixed MEADia Wines. We’ll sip some wines and talk about what defines our unique grape growing region, the grapes we grow, what kinds of wines we make, and why drinking local is so beneficial to our environment and local communities. Must be 21 or older to participate.

CENTRAL. Meet: Mixed MEADia Vineyard, Egg Harbor

Limit: 20

Leader: Amy Shook, TRS

Join us at The Ridges to look for turtles! Bring your binoculars and hiking shoes to head out onto the trails to stop and look for turtles found in the swales. On this field trip, we will look for and identify turtles that are basking in the sun. Suitable for ages 12 & up.

CENTRAL. Meet: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, Baileys Harbor

Limit: 15

Leaders: Jane Whitney & Julie Knox

The spring wildflowers at Logan Creek are not to be missed! We will walk at a leisurely pace along the wildflower path to discover the hidden beauties and to ID those flowers we don’t know. After enjoying the wildflower display, we will hike the remainder of the Logan Creek trails which pass through various habitats on the way to Clark Lake and Logan Creek. This is a slow-paced, 2-mile hike with frequent stops to look at plants on rustic trails with inclines. Suitable for ages 16 & up.

SOUTH. Meet: Logan Creek Preserve, Jacksonport

Limit: 12

Leader: Daniel Larson, Documentary Filmmaker

Join us to celebrate the 29th anniversary of Keepers of the Door: The Story of the Door County Lighthouses with documentary filmmaker Daniel Larson. The film covers the history of lighthouse stations and what being a lighthouse keeper was like in Door County. Interviews with lighthouse keeper children are woven together with historic photographs and modern images. After the film, Dan will answer questions and talk about the making of the documentary and share stories. The film is based on Steven Karges’s book, Keepers of the Lights. Steve passed away last year and this presentation is dedicated to his passion of lighthouse keeper life and the telling of their stories. Suitable for ages 18 & up.

CENTRAL. Meet: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, Baileys Harbor

Limit: 30

Leader: Shoreline Boat Tours 

Head out into the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan on “Hope,” a retired U.S. Navy boat. Hope was built tough to meet high military safety standards and skipped by knowledgeable and experienced captains, so you can be assured of a safe trip. Hope will navigate the rustic shoreline of Lake Michigan while the narrator/first mate will share stories of the near and distant past, of shipwrecks and lighthouses, ancient geology, and current geography, and of changes to the local landscape. This trip is designed to be an overview of this most beautiful and amazing peninsula! Suitable for families with kids ages 5 & up. 

CENTRAL. MEET: Baileys Harbor Marina 

Limit: 25 

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.

Leader: Zane Wulliger, TRS

Hop into the hidden lives of Door County’s frogs and toads! Learn about the natural history of the species that call this area home and how to identify them by their unique calls. We’ll then hike into the Sanctuary’s swales to practice hands-on citizen science. Participants will receive an anuran identification pamphlet and resources on how to get further involved in citizen science opportunities. Suitable for ages 16 & up.

CENTRAL. Meet: Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, Baileys Harbor

Limit: 15