The Ridges Sanctuary Receives Donation from ATC

The American Transmission Co. (ATC) of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, has donated $10,000 to the Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. The Ridges, the state’s oldest non-profit nature preserve, has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service and a State Natural Area by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources due to its incredible diversity of flora and fauna. The Ridges also maintains the historic Baileys Harbor range lights, built in 1869 to guide ships into the harbor. The Ridges will use the funds to advance its new strategic plan and maintain existing facilities.

“This generous grant from ATC starts our campaign to support The Ridge’s 2008 – 2012 strategic plan focused on land preservation, education, outreach and research,” said Ridges Executive Director Steve Leonard. “The Ridges is undertaking a number of critically important new initiatives. This spring we’re starting several citizen monitoring programs to inventory our lands and reaching out to more audiences with our education programs. We are in the process of collaborating with UW-Green Bay and other universities to address research initiatives. We’re also facing some unavoidable infrastructure costs, and the support of partners like ATC has become more essential than ever before.”

ATC owns and operates the high-voltage transmission system that delivers the power supply in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois.

ATC is the first utility company to receive the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ prestigious Green Tier designation. Green Tier recognizes corporations for exceptional environmental performance and practices that go above and beyond requirements of the law.

“We are deeply grateful to ATC for its support,” Pentecost said. “The Ridges is committed to expanding its work in environmental education, critical ecosystem research, community outreach and preserving irreplaceable wild lands. For years we depended on the faithful support of our members and their unflagging generosity. But today, with the demands of these essential new initiatives, we will depend as well on the help of new partners like ATC. With this gift, this company is making a significant contribution to preserving Door County’s natural assets.”

Visit The Ridges Sanctuary’s website at http://www.ridgesanctuary.org to learn more about The Ridges and download their strategic plan.