BAILEYS HARBOR, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A popular nature preserve in northern Door County is celebrating the season while introducing a new manager and a new long-range management plan.
As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, The Ridges Sanctuary Research Director Tony Kiszonas says the bright blue flowers started blooming a couple weeks ago.
“Oh boy, we got the dwarf lake iris that are in their full glory right now and just really giving us a show,” said Kiszonas.
The federally-threatened species grows on this 1600-acre site in Baileys Harbor.
Katie Krouse has worked at the sanctuary for nine years and is the current assistant director. She’s taking on the responsibility of executive director in June.
“Continuing in this role gives me the opportunity to just deliver my own passion for conservation and education and really giving people an opportunity to understand this really incredible and unique ecosystem that we have in Baileys Harbor,” said Krouse.
Krouse takes over for Andy Gill who will transition toward the role of fundraiser, and implementing the recently-approved 20-year master plan. Part of the long term initiative includes using The Ridges Inn and Suites nearby.
“That Ridges Inn property is going to be repurposed to not only serve our own research purposes but also some of our partners will be able to utilize that space to do things like study the dwarf lake iris and the rare orchids that are growing here,” said Gill, The Ridges Sanctuary Incoming Assistant Director.
Gill says the space could be used for lodging, but moving the administrative staff here is expected to help crowded conditions at the current nature center.
Meanwhile, the Ridges is gearing up for the holiday weekend. Kiszonas says he expects the show to continue.
“People have been calling for probably about a month now, about when the lake irises are going to be blooming. Now we can tell them, ‘Come on up’, because they’re ready to go, and the timing is perfect with our Festival of Nature Weekend and all the Memorial Day festivities that are going on, not only here but around the county,” he said.
The Ridges Sanctuary is a private, non-profit nature preserve.
Founded in 1937, its mission is Education, Research and Land Preservation.
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