Mike Orthober

Orthober is well known in the taxidermy field, having won many national and worldwide awards, most recently “Best in World” for warm-water fish and “2nd in World” for a non-game bird. He also judges World Taxidermy Championships and teaches others his methods. Locally, his work is on display at the Door County Historical Museum which commissioned Orthober to create its natural history wildlife diorama. The spectacular exhibit encompasses four seasons and features a life-sized beech tree along with native species including over 100 birds, white-tailed deer, bear, badger, fisher and more.

Mike Orthober’s Wildlife Wizardry Studio is located at 6453 Oak Road, just off Bay Shore Drive in Egg Harbor. Following the tour, participants will head outdoors for some roadside birding.

The Early Birders program is designed for families with kids ages 6-11, but younger or older children are also encouraged to attend. Each monthly meeting includes birding activities, crafts, bird watching hikes, special guests (both human & avian), and much more. For an annual fee of $15, each family receives a copy of Wild About Wisconsin Birds, a wonderful birding book designed just for children, and a Door County bird check list. The drop-in fee for the program is $5 per family.

For more information on The Early Birders Club or other Ridges programs, call 920.839.2802, or visit the Sanctuary’s Website.

The Niagara Escarpment spans two North American countries and joins the two peninsulas through bedrock of dolomitic limestone formed over 400 million years ago. Like our own peninsula, the Bruce Peninsula is a relatively small area – only about 60 miles long. And like Door County, this strip of land attracts attention for its beaches, forested trails and limestone caves.

The Bruce Peninsula tour itinerary will showcase many of the area’s natural features including woodlands filled with wildflowers, migrating birdlife, water features and, of course, incredible geology. Through boat trips and guided walks and talks, trip participants will experience first-hand the natural treasures found on the Canadian Niagara Escarpment.

For The Ridges, the tour represents much more than the opportunity to experience the unique attractions of our “sister peninsula.”

“This trip is the first step in developing collaborations between the U.S. and Canadian groups working to protect and preserve the Escarpment, “ says Steve Leonard, Executive Director of The Ridges. “ There is so much we can learn from what they have done to protect and promote healthy communities and ecological preservation.”

Joining the group is Ridges naturalist Karen Newbern, geologist Dr. Roger Kuhns and naturalist and tour planner Paul Regnier.

The Bruce Peninsula Tour is open to members of The Ridges. The cost is $1999 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement is available for $450. The fee includes coach transportation to and from Sturgeon Bay, 7 nights lodging, most meals, tour guides, park fees and more. A deposit of $450 is required to secure reservations. Final payment is due April 1, 2012. Checks should be made payable to Door County Nature & Travel LLC . Register and pay the $450 deposit by February 15 to receive a $50 per person discount. Registrations forms are available online at RidgesSanctuary.org and should be sent with deposit to: Door County Nature and Travel, P.O. Box 136, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202-0136. Space for this tour is limited. Advance registration is required.

For information about becoming a member of The Ridges, call 920-839-2802.

This tour is planned and organized by Paul Regnier, owner and lead Naturalist for Door County Nature and Travel LLC. For more information about the Bruce Peninsula Tour go to the Ridges Sanctuary’s website, http://RidgesSanctuary.org or call Karen Newbern at The Ridges Sanctuary office, 920-839-2802, or contact Paul Regnier at doorcountypaul@gmail.com

Nuthatch

Tips and tricks to get started in bird feeding will be provided at the next “Early Birders Club” program at the Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor. The program will take place on Saturday, November 12, 10 am at The Ridges Sanctuary. Drop-in fee for the program is $5 per family.

According to the National Audubon Society, over 100 species of birds in North America supplement their natural diets with food provided by humans. Along with benefiting the local bird populations, feeders can provide great opportunities for identifying and studying birds. But feeding the birds isn’t quite as simple as just hanging up a feeder and waiting for the birds to arrive. It’s important to know what kinds of foods will attract desirable birds, where to locate feeders, and how to maintain them so as to provide the greatest benefits.

During the program, families will also make some simple bird feeders from recycled materials. Participants should bring along a wire coat hanger and a one- or two-liter plastic bottle for each person.

The Early Birders program is designed for families with kids ages 6-11, but younger or older children are also encouraged to attend. Each monthly meeting will include birding activities, crafts, birdwatching hikes, special guests (both human & avian), and much more! For a one-time fee of $15, each family receives a copy of Wild About Wisconsin Birds, a wonderful birding book designed just for children, and a Door County bird check list. Monthly meetings are held at different locations in northern and southern Door County.

The Early Birders Club is supported in part by the Raibrook Foundation, and is part of The Ridges Sanctuary’s efforts to get kids and families outdoors and enjoying nature.

The Ridges Sanctuary, a non-profit nature preserve, is located just north of Baileys Harbor at 8288 Hwy Q. Trails at the Sanctuary are open to the public year-round for a small fee (Ridges members may hike at no charge). For more information on any of The Ridges’ programs, call 920.839.2802 or visit RidgesSanctuary.org.

From L. to R. are: Donn Valenti, owner of the Sandpiper; Jim Jauquet, Ridges board member; Lee Traven, son of Ridges founder Olivia Traven; Lawrie Kull, Ridges board member; and, Steve Leonard, Executive Director.

Earlier this year, The Ridges Sanctuary selected the Sandpiper property as the site for its new Interpretive Center. The property, located at the corner of Hwy 57 and Ridges Road, is ideally situated to provide a much-needed visible public entrance to the Sanctuary. The new building is the centerpiece of an expanded vision for the Sanctuary which will celebrate its 75^th anniversary in 2012. That vision includes not only the Interpretive Center, but also addresses the development of programs, media, trail systems, and other site improvements which will enhance the visitor experience and help to tell The Ridges’ story. Conceptual designs can be viewed online.

“The property acquisition marks the end of the first key phase of fundraising,” says Steve Leonard, Executive Director at The Ridges. “We now have an unprecedented opportunity to advance the vision of our founders. It was so fitting that Lee Traven was able to be with us as we took this important step toward securing their legacy.”

Traven’s mother Olivia was an active member of the Baileys Harbor Women’s Club and one of the co-founders of The Ridges Sanctuary. His father Fred volunteered as a Boy Scout leader for 28 years and also served as president of The Ridges. Traven credits his parents with instilling in him a commitment to give back to the community.

“We couldn’t have had a more enthusiastic and positive response to this project from our membership – and not only local members, but members throughout the country,“ notes Leonard. “It clearly signals that they understand the opportunity we have to link and unify the areas of our campus and to connect a greater number of people to the Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor and Door County.”

On Friday, November 4, The Ridges will host an open house at The Cornerstone Pub & Restaurant in Baileys Harbor from 3 – 5 pm in appreciation for the support received for the project.  For more information about the open house, call 920.839.2802.

The organization will continue to fundraise during 2012 with construction of the new building expected to begin in 2013.

Stephen Kastner, Editor Door County Style Magazine

On Friday, October 28, from 1:30-3:30, the cross-generational class is “Digital Nature.” Instructor Stephen Kastner will show participants how to capture images of nature using digital photography. Then he will show you where to get and how to use free tools that are as good as Photoshop for editing your shots and finally he will explain how to share images with others at Crossroads using the Internet. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cameras.

“Trolley to The Escarpment” is the cross-generational program on Saturday, October 29. From 1:30 to 3:30, pairs of learners will travel by Door County Trolley from Crossroads to scenic sites in Northern Door County to learn some of the natural and cultural history of the Niagara Escarpment.

Pre-registration is required for either class. And most importantly, one adult and one child (most appropriate for students aged 7-13) must come to learn together. For more information or to sign up for a class, call 746-5895, giving your names of the adult and youth, daytime telephone number, and age of the young person. Space is limited, but if fewer than 5 pairs enroll, the class will be canceled.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor supported preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science,history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center and Environmental Displays, located at 2041 Michigan Street, just east of Sturgeon Bay, are open 2:00-5:00 daily.

Friday, October 28, 1:30-3:30
Cross-Generational Class “Digital Nature
Instructor Stephen Kastner will show participants how to capture images of nature using digital photography and how to share images using the Internet. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cameras. Pre-registration will be required. And most importantly, one adult and one child (most appropriate for students aged 7-13) must come to learn together. For more information or to sign up for a class, call 746-5895, giving your names of the adult and youth, daytime telephone number and the age of the young person. Space is limited, but if fewer than 5 pairs enroll, the class will be canceled.

Saturday, October 29, 1:30-3:30
“Trolley to The Escarpment”
Pairs of learners will travel by Door County Trolley from Crossroads to scenic sites in Northern Door County to learn some of the natural and cultural history of the Niagara Escarpment.

Pre-registration will be required. And most importantly, one adult and one child (most appropriate for students aged 7-13) must come to learn together. For more information or to sign up for a class, call 746-5895, giving your names of the adult and youth, daytime telephone number, and age of the young person. Space is limited, but if fewer than 5 pairs enroll, the class will be canceled.

Sunday, October 30, 1:30-2:30
Family Program: “Halloween Creatures”
Learners of all ages are invited to learn about bats and owls in this free multi-media presentation. Free. Kids are welcome to come in costume.

Birds are no longer singing from the treetops, no longer proclaiming their presence and territory because their breeding season is over. Now, it’s the deer that are beginning to announce their presence to pre-register their territories.

Whitetail deer do not sing, but rather, communicate with odors. Deer have odor-producing glands on their foreheads… on their legs… near their ankles and between the the toes of their hooves. They also produce message-carrying urine.

All year long, but especially as their antlers are developing, bucks rub their heads on slender trees, usually pine or cedar with fragrant bark. Sometimes bucks strip the bark off the trees. In doing so, they leave messages for other deer.

This time of year, bucks start pawing the soil, making rather significant depressions in the forest floor. Then, they urinate or defecate in these “sign post” areas. The secretions from their feet combined with their potent urine, give off scents that are strong enough for even humans to detect. Other deer do more than just notice the odor.

The secretions and urine are filled with hormones and pheromones. Other bucks (and also does) often check the sign posts of others deer. From the scents, they can determine the gender, the approximate age, the health and the strength of the deer which made the mark. I like to think of this as pre-registering for the rut. By the time the breeding season starts in earnest, all of the deer in the area are well aware of the strengths and ambitions of all of the other deer. The rut is coming soon and bucks are signing up.

I mention all of this because we have several upcoming events at Crossroads that will also require pre-registration. During the final weekend of October, which is Fall Break for Wisconsin schools, Crossroads will offer two of our Cross-Generational Classes because:

• many youth prefer learning through “experience-based” activities,
• adults are willing to bring young people to educational events and
• learning together provides the highest level of “quality time” between a child and an adult.

Our cross-generational programming presents a genuine opportunity for meaningful learning.

On Friday, October 28, at 1:30 we offer a Photography Class: “Digital Nature.” Instructor, Stephen Kastner will show participants how to capture images of nature using digital photography and how to share the images using the Internet. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cameras. Kastner studied photography at the University of Illinois. In the 1980s he worked as a professional photojournalist for the New York Times papers in Florida and was sent on assignment to Cuba. In the mid 90s he made the leap to digital photography and in 2006 he expanded to “moving pictures,” working as a filmmaker while on a 6-month assignment in China. For the past 10 years he has been the editor and publisher of DoorCountyStyle.com where many of his photos are seen.

The “Trolley to The Escarpment” program is offered on Saturday, October 29, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Pairs of learners will travel by Door County Trolley from Crossroads to scenic sites in Northern Door County to learn some of the natural and cultural history of the Niagara Escarpment.

Cross-Gen classes are free, but pre-registration is required. And most importantly, one adult and one child (most appropriate for students aged 7-13) must come to learn together. For more information, or to sign up for a class, call Crossroads at 920.746.5895, leaving the names of the adult and youth, your daytime telephone number and the age of the young person. Space is limited, but if fewer than 5 pairs enroll, the class will be canceled.

Finally, on Saturday, November 19, starting at 1 pm, the Door County Historical Society will present a Benefit Antique and Collectibles Appraisal Event featuring Mark Moran of Iola, Wisconsin. Formerly senior editor of Antiques and Collectibles Books for Krause Publications, Mark has also been a contributing editor for Antique Trader magazine. Moran has served as editor of Antique Review East magazine. He has also been a guest expert on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow. He is the author or co-author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, including the 800-page annual Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles, now in its 45th edition.

This will be an entertaining three-hour show, divided into one-hour segments. A $3 admission fee will enable audience members to watch the proceedings. Those wanting to have their antique appraised will pay a $15 fee which covers the appraisal and a seat for the show. Proceeds from this event will be designated for the long term maintenance fund of The Historical Village at the Crossroads. Application forms, including lists of excluded objects are available by calling or stopping by Crossroads. Appraisals are limited to the first 40 applicants (first come, first served) with one object per person. Call 920.746.5895 for application forms.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan Street just east of Sturgeon Bay, is open 2:00-5:00 daily and during scheduled events.

Sunday,October 23, 1:00
Green and Gold Week
Enjoy the Green and Gold in nature, hiking in the forests and fields of Crossroads for about an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Monday, October 24, 8:30
Buckthorn Party
Unless hard frost has ended the growing season, volunteers will be out in the forest pulling, cutting and treating these invasive species. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Wear long sleeves, long pants and work gloves.

The five state parks in Door County had been closed since Friday September 30 due to damage sustained in a storm with unusually high winds that passed over the county on Thursday night, September 29.

Jon Jarosh

Jon Jarosh, director of communications and public relations for the Door County Visitor Bureau, says the county is ready for a busy weekend.  “The fall colors are starting to really pop and should be excellent here over the next few weeks,” he said. “We’re glad that our state parks will all be open again starting tomorrow for visitors to enjoy and greatly appreciate the time and efforts of everyone who helped with the clean up process,” he said.

The county’s fall event calendar is particularly full over the next few weeks – the large number of events corresponds to the typical time fall colors peak in October, with festivals and events scheduled throughout the peninsula and on Washington Island.  Visitors looking for up-to-date fall color information can find a fall color report as well as a detailed calendar of events on DoorCounty.com.

The weather forecast for the upcoming Columbus Day weekend looks to be ideal, with sunny skies and warmer than usual temperatures. Door County tourism officials anticipate it being a busy next couple of weeks.

The Door County Visitor Bureau is the official tourism marketing organization for the county whose mission is to generate incremental economic impact for the community by attracting visitors with strategies that ensure sustainable tourism.

Non-native earthworms, and the threats they pose to our native ecosystems, will be the topic of the monthly meeting of the Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) on Monday, September 26. Invasive Species Specialist, Bernie Williams with the Wisconsin DNR, will present the program at 2 pm at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay.

Scientists believe that the native earthworms in North America were literally pushed out by several glacial advances. After the glaciers, many ecosystems were naturally repopulated with plants, but not with earthworms. When European settlers arrived, they brought along plants – and soil and worms – from their homeland, which then spread from farmland into native forests and prairies. Once established, the earthworms can reduce the amount of leaf litter present and actually change the soil chemistry, making it unsuitable for some native plants.

The purpose of the Door County Invasive Species Team is to halt the invasion of exotic non-native plants by empowering citizens with the education, the tools and the skills necessary to control invasive species. Educational programs are held monthly. DCIST also runs an equipment loan program and coordinates work parties and educational workshops throughout the county. For more information, contact Marne Kaeske, DCIST Coordinator, at 920.839.2802.

From the endangered Hines Emerald dragonfly to the rare Ram’s-head Lady Slipper orchid, the Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor provides refuge for some of Door County’s rarest treasures and is home base for the DCIST. But the Sanctuary provides refuge for people as well – it was described by a visitor as “a spot of heaven on earth in the midst of the chaos going on in the outside world.” Over 5 miles of trails are open year-round for self-guided hiking. The Nature Store, featuring a wide selection of nature-related books, puppets, T-shirts and gift items, is open daily from mid-May through mid-October.  The Sanctuary is located at 8288 Hwy Q, just off Hwy 57, in Baileys Harbor. For more information, call 920.839.2802 or visit http://RidgesSanctuary.org.

Naturalist Guided Hikes
September 1 through October 15, Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 am

Join one of the Ridges naturalists for a relaxed walk through the Sanctuary. Learn about the history of the Ridges, the Baileys Harbor Rangelights, and of course the diverse wildflowers of this unique natural area. Suitable for all ages. $5 per person Ridges members, $8 nonmembers, children under 18 free.

Tuesday, September 27
9 – 11 am – Barberry Pirates

The Barberry Pirates are a hearty crew of volunteers who work to control the exotic plants that threaten the Ridges. Each week they attack the dreaded barberry, the pernicious crown vetch, as well as swamp thistle and a host of others. New pirates are always welcome, and snacks are provided after the raid!

Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1
1 pm – Logan Creek Rambles

Enjoy a relaxing fall hike through the Ridges Sanctuary’s Logan Creek Property near Jacksonport. Fall colors should be nearing their peak, and some fall wildflowers will be in bloom as well. The same hike will be given each day. $5 per adult, no charge for children under 18.

Saturday, October 1
8:30 am – noon – Fall Clean Up Day

Help get the Sanctuary ready for winter by sprucing up trails, putting up storm windows, raking leaves and other large and small chores. Volunteers of all ages welcome! Come for a couple of hours or for the whole morning. Chili lunch provided for all volunteers.

Dr. William Cronon

As part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations, the Door County Land Trust is pleased to welcome renowned conservationist, historian and University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, Dr. William Cronon, to deliver a keynote address at the Birch Creek Performance Center in Egg Harbor on Friday, September 23 at 7 pm.

“We’re thrilled to be offering Door County a speaker of this caliber,” states Door County Land Trust executive director, Dan Burke. “The land conservation community is strong in Door County. As embark on our next 25 years of preserving the places we love, Dr. Cronon’s message will help inform our vision. We encourage all who can to join us. This is an event not to be missed.”

Dr. Cronon is the Frederick Jackson Turner Professor of History, Geography, and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-­Madison. He served for more than a decade as a member of the Yale History Department. In 2003, he was named Vilas Research Professor at UW-Madison, the university’s most distinguished chaired professorship.

Cronon has served on the Governing Council of The Wilderness Society since 1995 and on the National Board of the Trust for Public Land since 2003. He is currently President of the American Historical Association. He is the author of numerous award-winning books and was featured prominently in Ken Burns’ recent series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.

Cronon seeks to understand the history of human interactions with the natural world: how we depend on the ecosystems around us to sustain our material lives, how we modify the landscapes in which we live and work, and how our ideas of nature shape our relationships with the world around us.

Born September 11, 1954 in New Haven, Connecticut, Cronon received his B.A. (1976) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He holds an M.A. (1979), M.Phil. (1980), and Ph.D. (1990) from Yale, and a D.Phil. (1981) from Oxford University. Cronon has been a Rhodes Scholar, Danforth Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow, and MacArthur Fellow; has won prizes for his teaching at both Yale and Wisconsin.

This event is open to the public and is offered at no charge. A dessert and coffee reception will follow the lecture. Reservations are appreciated but not required. To make a reservation, please call 920.746.1359 or email info@doorcountylandtrust.org.

The Door County Land Trust is celebrating 25 years of preserving Door County’s finest open spaces and wild places. The Land Trust is a local, non-profit organization supported by over 2,000 contributing members. Its mission is to preserve, maintain and enhance lands that contribute significantly to the scenic beauty, open space and ecological integrity of Door County. Since its inception in 1986, the Land Trust has protected nearly 6,000 acres throughout Door County. Nature preserves owned by the Door County Land Trust are open to the public for hiking, hunting, birding, skiing and other low-impact recreational and educational activities. More information on the Door County Land Trust and the Cronon Keynote Address is available at www.doorcountylandtrust.org.

Clark Lake Phragmites Workday:
For the 4th year now, the Clark Lake Association will be treating phragmites on the shoreline. We are still in need of help on Saturday September 10! Lunch will be provided. Meet at Schauer Park at 8 am. Contact Marne Kaeske for more information and sign-up by Thursday  September 8: 920.839.2802

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Phragmites at North Bay:
TNC is looking for help in treating phragmites on North Bay on September 6, 7, 9, 14 and 15. Meet at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall and then head to corner of Hwy Q and North Bay Drive. Contact Sam Lindquist for the time to meet: slindquist@tnc.org.

Buckthorn on Whitefish Dunes Creek:
Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) international students will be working at Whitefish Dunes State Park to curb the buckthorn that is expanding around Whitefish Creek. Come and join us Wednesday, September 14 from 5 – 7 pm. Meet at the gated parking lot on Cty WD. Snacks to follow! Contact Marne for more info: marne@ridgessanctuary.org

Barberry Pirates:
The Ridges Sanctuary’s weed crew meets every Tuesday morning at 9 am. In the next coming weeks we will be hiking out to Pickerel Pond to treat phragmites. Please, let us know if you would like to be added to our e-mail list to be informed about our weekly plans for where and when to meet and what to be prepared for. Pirate appropriate snacks! Contact Marne: marne@ridgessanctuary.org

Bjorklunden Phragmites:
If you have a few hours and are interested in helping us bundle phragmites at Bjorklunden, give us a jingle: Call Marne at 920.839.2802