“Ridges now Nat. landmark” from the December 14, 1967 Door County Advocate
Ridges now Nat. landmark
Mrs. Fred Traven, Corres.
BAILEYS HARBOR—Roy Lukes, president of the Ridges Sanctuary, received word this week from the U. S. Department of the Interior that the secretary of the department’s advisory board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings and Monuments has recommended that the Ridges Sanctuary be included in the National Registry of Natural Landmarks. Secretary Udall has approved the recommendation.
The advisory board has recommended 28 sites in 14 states for inclusion in the registry. The Ridges is the only site in Wisconsin on the list.
Part of the description of the Ridges included in the list states “Since 1937, when the original 40 acre tract was set aside as a wildflower preserve, acreage has continually been added by this nonprofit organization as funds permitted. Twenty-six of the 45 species of orchids that have been identified in Wisconsin can be found in this small parcel. This spectacular concentration of orchids is complemented by the unusual geologic formation of some 16 sand ridges that progress inland from the shoreline. Significance stems from the unique opportunity to observe complete vegetation succession progressing from sand and water on the lakeshore to a climax boreal forest inland.”
If Ridges Sanctuary is registered as a Natural Landmark, the Department of the Interior will supply a bronze plaque to be displayed at the site and a certificate of registration, the letter states. It also states that registration does not involve change of ownership or administration of the site. The purpose is to identify and encourage the preservation of outstanding illustrations of the natural history of the United States.
Officers and the Board of Directors met Saturday and signed an agreement with the department for the inclusion of the Ridges in the registry. Part of the letter states “Being aware of the high responsibility to the Nation that goes with the ownership and use of a property which has outstanding value in illustrating the natural history of the United States, I agree to continue to protect and use this site for purposes consistent with preservation of its natural integrity and to consult periodically with representatives of the National Park Service about the site as a basis for continuing landmark status.” One of the criteria for natural landmarks is that “it must present a true, accurate, essentially unspoiled natural example.”
Officers of the Ridges Sanctuary are Roy Lukes, president; Harold Wilson, vice-president; Mrs. James Hickey, secretary, and Miss Virginia Booth, treasurer. Members of the board are Roy Lukes, Harold Wilson, Emma Toft, Walter Zahn, Carl Scholz, Sidney Telfer sr., and Mrs. Fred Traven.
Money to buy land is raised from membership dues and contributions. The Sanctuary is managed by the corporation and has been cited by the Voice of America as an example of citizens in a democracy seeing a need for something to be done and doing it without government aid or management.
Jens Jensen and Albert Fuller of the Milwaukee Museum were two of the prime movers in the organization of the corporation, which now owns 746 acres. Every summer from 6,000 to 7,000 visitors from all parts of the country and many from other countries visit the Ridges by themselves or take the guided tours.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
[National Natural Landmarks entry on the Ridges Sanctuary-Toft’s Point-Mud Lake Area: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/site.htm?Site=RISA-WI ]
Ridges Sanctuary-related articles
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/the-ridges-sanctuary