Flying things featured in week's programs at Ridges
Your Key to the Door Weekly
The birds and the bees, and the butterflies, are front and center in the first week of September programs at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor.
• Spring and fall are busy times for many bird species as they migrate to various locations around the globe. As they travel, migrating birds need stopover locations for food, shelter and rest.
From 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 4, The Ridges will hold a program on "The Importance of Migratory Bird Stopovers." Visitors can learn what triggers migrations, why some species choose Wisconsin and why it's critically important to maintain highly diverse habitats, like the sanctuary. Space is limited and preregistration is required.
• Bees are among the most important of all plant pollinators. Max Martin, program manager at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Potato Gene Bank, will present "The Bizziness of Bees: Pollination, Honey and Wax" from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 5. Martin will share insights about the world of bees, an interest he developed as a young child growing up on his family's dairy farm in central Wisconsin.
• Bees, birds and butterflies all play an important role in the ecosystem. To learn how to see more of them winging their way through your garden, The Ridges presents "The Three Bs: How to Make an Oasis for Birds, Butterflies and Bees" from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 6.
A brief introduction will provide the opportunity to learn about backyard bird habitats, the importance of bees and how to build gardens to attract butterflies. Then, visitors can spend some time outdoors at the sanctuary to view these habitats in action. Space is limited and preregistration is required.
All programs meet in the Marshall Cabin at The Ridges, 8288 County Q, Baileys Harbor. Program fees are $10 for Ridges adult members, $13 for adult nonmembers and $5 for ages 17 and younger. To sign up for programs or for more information, call (920) 839-2802 or go to ridgessanctuary.org.