The Ridges Sanctuary
The Ridges Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1937 that preserves 1,700+ acres of biodiverse Wisconsin wetlands and forests while delivering environmental education, citizen-science research, and accessibility-focused visitor programs to members, families, schools, and donors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersBaileys Harbor, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Ridges Sanctuary does
The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1937 in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, and recognized as Wisconsin's first land trust. The organization preserves 1,700+ acres of biologically diverse boreal and wetland ecosystems across three properties (the main Sanctuary, Logan Creek, and Appel's Bluff), operating through three integrated functions: land preservation, environmental education, and ecological research. Its underlying "technology" is the protected land itself — 30 ridges and swales, 29 unique orchid species, and habitats for endangered species including the Hine's emerald dragonfly — combined with citizen-science research programs, academic partnerships (Smithsonian, multiple UW system schools, Illinois Natural History Survey), and accessibility infrastructure including a LEED Gold-certified Nature Center (opened 2015) and Hidden Brook Boardwalk.
The organization serves nature enthusiasts, families with children, schools (notably Gibraltar Area School District), birdwatchers, adult learners, and a broad member base of 1,872 individuals across all 50 states plus 1,200+ annual donors. Its business model combines recurring membership dues ($45 individual / $70-$100 family annually), tiered donations (Preservation, Research, Education, Endowment), foundation and government grants, fee-based programming (summer camps at $200-$215, guided hikes, Tiny Trekkers), trail access passes, and merchandise sales via a Shopify storefront, with donations processed through QGIV. Distribution is primarily through direct on-site visitor engagement at the Nature Center, supplemented by online channels and community/school partnerships.
The Ridges holds an unusually dense stack of designations — National Natural Landmark (1967), Important Bird Area (2006), Ramsar Wetland of International Importance (2014), Wisconsin State Natural Area, Wisconsin Wetland Gem, Bird City Wisconsin, and LEED Gold — providing both regulatory protection and reputational leverage. With approximately 20 staff, a Board-led 20-year Master Plan adopted in 2023, a 2024 acquisition of the adjacent Ridges Inn & Suites, and ongoing solar and infrastructure investments, the organization is in a deliberate capacity-building phase while navigating a material 2025 setback to its state stewardship funding source.
The Ridges Sanctuary firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Ridges Sanctuary
- Legal name
- The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc.
- Website
- https://ridgessanctuary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Ridges Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1937 that preserves 1,700+ acres of biodiverse Wisconsin wetlands and forests while delivering environmental education, citizen-science research, and accessibility-focused visitor programs to members, families, schools, and donors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Ridges Sanctuary industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nature Conservation & Environmental Education
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), Wildlife Viewing Hides, Observation Towers & Birding Sites (Managed Access) (THAAAFAE), National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA), Threatened & Endangered Species (TES) / Protected Species Surveys & Compliance (EUAHAHAD)
Keywords
Where The Ridges Sanctuary is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baileys Harbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Ridges Sanctuary business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership dues from individuals and families representing the primary recurring revenue stream. Over 1,800 members from all 50 states.
- Donations and Grants: Contributions across preservation, education, research, and endowment categories. Includes memorial boardwalk tributes and program-specific grants from foundations and government programs.
- Summer Camps: Seasonal summer camp programs providing environmental education for youth with member and non-member pricing.
- Trail Passes and Guided Programs: Day passes for trail access and fee-based guided educational programs including Tiny Trekkers and specialty hikes.
- Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise sales through Shopify storefront including branded items and educational materials.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Family Membership |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Camp |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Guided Programs and Workshops |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Ridges Sanctuary product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Ridges Sanctuary is a nonprofit nature preserve that protects and manages 1,700+ acres of biologically diverse ecosystems in Door County, Wisconsin, offering self-guided and naturalist-guided trail access, environmental education programs (summer camps, Forest School, Tiny Trekkers, Dragonfly Nature Preschool), and citizen science research initiatives focused on endangered species conservation including orchids and the Hine's emerald dragonfly. The organization sustains operations through membership programs, charitable donations, grants, program fees, and merchandise sales.
Product overview
The Ridges Sanctuary offers a unified portfolio of conservation-focused experiences centered on its 1,700+ acre preserve in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. The core offering comprises trail access and hiking experiences across multiple properties including the main Sanctuary, Logan's Creek, and Appel's Bluff. The Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center serves as the visitor gateway. Educational programming includes Backpack Adventure Camp for children ages 4-11, Ridges Forest School for homeschool families, Tiny Trekkers for toddlers, and Dragonfly Nature Preschool in partnership with local schools. Specialty experiences include naturalist-guided hikes, Family Discovery Trail, and Free Fridays community access days. The organization generates support through membership programs at various tiers and designated donation options for preservation, research, education, and endowment purposes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Trail Access and Hiking Self-guided and naturalist-guided hiking experiences across 1,700+ acres of biologically diverse ecosystems including the Sanctuary, Logan's Creek, and Appel's Bluff properties, with trails open dawn to dusk. Day passes are available for visitors.
- Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center The gateway to the Sanctuary featuring full exhibits on cultural and natural history. Built in 2015, it received LEED Gold certification in 2017 and serves as the visitor center, education hub, and administrative home for The Ridges Sanctuary.
- Backpack Adventure Camp Summer camp program for children ages 4-6 and 7-11, held Monday through Friday from 9 am to noon, featuring outdoor learning activities with themed weekly sessions including orchid observations, nature detectives, and monarch butterfly studies. Priced at $200 for members and $215 for non-members per session.
- Ridges Forest School Year-long natural science education program for homeschool children featuring outdoor, hands-on learning on multiple days weekly across fall, winter, and spring seasons.
- Tiny Trekkers Early childhood nature program for children walking through 3 years old, guided by educators for gentle hiking, songs, and exploration with caregiver participation.
- Dragonfly Nature Preschool
Quantifiable outcome
- 88 years of continuous conservation work and land stewardship
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Ridges Sanctuary
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Ridges Sanctuary technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Ridges Sanctuary partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Kinect M1minorDonated Trackchair accessibility equipment to enhance nature access for visitors with mobility challenges
- UW-Madison Aquatic Sciences CentercoreResearch partnership on the Ridge and Swale Ecohydrology Project studying water movement through the sanctuary's unique geological features
- UW-PlattevilleminorAcademic research partnership contributing to ecological studies at the sanctuary
- Climate Change Coalition of Door CountycoreCollaborative partnership on the Boreal Climate Survivability Project addressing climate adaptation for boreal forest ecosystems
- Lakeshore Natural Resource PartnershipcorePartnership on the Boreal Climate Survivability Project bringing regional climate research collaboration
- Illinois Natural History SurveycoreResearch partnership on Hine's emerald dragonfly conservation, an endangered species program
- University of South DakotacoreAcademic research partnership on Hine's emerald dragonfly conservation studies
- Illinois State MuseumcoreResearch collaboration on Hine's emerald dragonfly conservation and habitat studies
- North American Orchid Conservation Center (Smithsonian)coreFlagship conservation partnership with the Smithsonian institution for orchid conservation and research
- UW-Green BaycoreAcademic research partnership for orchid conservation and watershed study programs
- Illinois CollegeminorResearch partnership contributing to orchid conservation studies
- Minnesota Landscape ArboretumminorCollaborative orchid conservation research with regional botanical institution
- Chicago Botanic GardenminorPartnership on orchid conservation and botanical research programs
- Gibraltar Area School DistrictcoreEducational partnership delivering the Dragonfly Nature 4K program for kindergarten students, integrating environmental education into school curriculum
- WisCorpsminorEnvironmental education program partnerships supporting youth development and conservation
- Eland ElectricminorSolar installation contractor for renewable energy projects
- Door County Land TrustcoreRegional land conservation partner for collaborative preservation efforts in Door County
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Ridges Sanctuary competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation nonprofit operating land preserves, conducting biodiversity research, and running education programs. Comparable in mission and constituency, but vastly larger in scale and geography than the Ridges.
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks for public use, with both preservation and public-access mandates closely aligned with the Ridges' model.
- National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation organization that designates Important Bird Areas (the Ridges' IBA was awarded by Audubon). Operates sanctuaries and education programs with overlapping model and member base.
Direct peers
- Openlands: Regional land trust and conservation organization protecting natural areas and providing public programs in the Great Lakes region. Highly comparable in mission and operating model to the Ridges Sanctuary.
- New England Forestry Foundation: Regional land trust focused on forest conservation, stewardship, and education. Operates a community-supported land-conservation model directly comparable to the Ridges.
- Morton Arboretum: Midwest tree-focused conservation and education institution with strong research, member, and visitor programming. Operates at a similar scale and with a directly comparable conservation-education model.
- Chicago Botanic Garden: Botanical institution with active orchid conservation research, public education programming, and member-driven nonprofit model. Listed as a Ridges partner and operates comparable visitor/education infrastructure.
- Door County Land Trust: Regional land trust operating in the same Door County geography as the Ridges, focused on land acquisition, preservation, and community conservation. Direct peer in mission, geography, and organizational type.
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Midwest botanical garden and research institution running orchid and plant conservation research in partnership with the Ridges. Operates a comparable membership, education, and visitor model.
Regional players
- Peninsula State Park (Wisconsin DNR): Large Wisconsin state park in Door County offering trails, education programs, and visitor services in the same regional tourism market as the Ridges Sanctuary. Operates in adjacent but public-sector space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Ridges Sanctuary social profiles
Digital presenceThe Ridges Sanctuary compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
The Ridges Sanctuary financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Ridges Sanctuary leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Ridges Sanctuary funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Ridges Sanctuary M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Ridges Sanctuary
What does The Ridges Sanctuary do?
The Ridges Sanctuary is a nonprofit nature preserve that protects and manages 1,700+ acres of biologically diverse ecosystems in Door County, Wisconsin, offering self-guided and naturalist-guided trail access, environmental education programs (summer camps, Forest School, Tiny Trekkers, Dragonfly Nature Preschool), and citizen science research initiatives focused on endangered species conservation including orchids and the Hine's emerald dragonfly. The organization sustains operations through membership programs, charitable donations, grants, program fees, and merchandise sales.
Is The Ridges Sanctuary a public or private company?
The Ridges Sanctuary is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Ridges Sanctuary founded?
The Ridges Sanctuary was founded in 1937. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Ridges Sanctuary based?
The Ridges Sanctuary is headquartered in Baileys Harbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Ridges Sanctuary make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants, summer Camps, trail Passes and Guided Programs and merchandise Sales.
Who are The Ridges Sanctuary's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land and National Audubon Society. Direct peers are Openlands, New England Forestry Foundation, Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, Door County Land Trust and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Peninsula State Park (Wisconsin DNR) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Ridges Sanctuary have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Ridges Sanctuary.
What industry is The Ridges Sanctuary in?
The Ridges Sanctuary's product category is Nature Conservation & Environmental Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.