The Ridges Sanctuary Offers Spanish-translated Nature Hikes

There are plenty of opportunities to learn about nature in Door County, but almost all of them hinge on one thing – understanding English. That’s one thing Marne Kaeske and Sarah Miller are out to change.

“We don’t work a whole lot with different cultural groups,” Kaeske said.

Kaeske is the stewardship coordinator at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor. She leads hiking and kayak tours, organizes volunteer groups and promotes environmental education around the county, so reaching out to Door County’s Hispanic population falls right into her mission.

Kaeske teamed up with Miller, a University of Wisconsin – Madison student studying Spanish. The pair lead weekly hikes through The Ridges Sanctuary with Kaeske leading in English and Miller translating in Spanish.

“Our naturalist-guided hikes really embody what our organization is about,” Kaeske said. “They get you on the trails, get you to experience the things that our founders recognized so long ago.”

Although Kaeske has never been approached by someone seeking a Spanish-interpreted class, she and Miller hope reaching out to Spanish-speaking communities will help them find an audience and break down some barriers to environmental education.

“I know so many Hispanic families have been in the community for a long time and I don’t know them,” Kaeske said. “If there’s a way to network it’s really important.”

Imelda Delchambre, a nutrition educator at the Door County University of Wisconsin-Extension office, works with the local Hispanic community and said there are very few local programs targeted to Spanish speakers.

She estimated there are 1,500 Spanish speakers in Door County, and in many families the children speak English and translate for their parents.

Promoting the Spanish-interpreted hikes in the Hispanic community is key to the program’s success, and both Kaeske and Miller hope to see that happen. It could even lead to translated kayak tours, nature programs or day camps.

“This could really grow into something big for future summers once it gains attention,” Miller said.