The Wisconsin Science Festival begins this week, and as is our custom, Crossroads at Big Creek joins with the Door County Library to assemble speakers and events for this two-week celebration on the Door Peninsula. This year, the Science Fest theme is “Agriculture” and many of the programs will be held at Crossroads at Big Creek.

There is a song in the musical “Oklahoma” called The Farmer and the Cowman Should Be Friends.” We believe that the Farmer and the Environmentalist should be friends too. We share a love for and concern about the water, the soil, and plants and the animals, and we also share the belief that science should guide our decisions.

Our science-based agriculture-themed activities begin with our Family Pumpkin Carving at 4:00, Friday, October 11.  Pumpkins are, after all, an important agricultural product. Two billion pumpkins are grown each year in the United States. In Wisconsin, more than 2000 acres are planted in pumpkins each year.  So, we will start the program with a short science video called “Dissecting a Pumpkin.” Pumpkins and carving tools will be provided so each family can dissect and carve a Jack-o-lantern to be used to light the trail during our “Trails and Treats” event later in the month. Following that pre-Halloween event, families can take their pumpkins home.  

From the fruit called pumpkins (yes, they are fruits) we turn to apples, when the Science Festival program “Climate Impact to Apple Flavor.” The speaker, Peninsular Agriculture Research Station Superintendent Becky Wiepz will discuss how climate conditions impact apple flavor This program is geared to adults, but learners of all ages are welcome to attend this program on Monday, October 14 at 5:30PM

The Door County Beekeepers have created a special event for the Wisconsin Science Festival they call Hive Chemistry 101. European honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of agricultural crops, but they also are classified as livestock/food producing animals by the federal government.

The beekeepers will offer exhibits and demonstrations featuring products made of honey and beeswax including mead (wine made with honey), household products such as furniture polish, wood conditioner, food wraps, candles, and personal care products such as lip balm, lotion bars, hand salve, and soap. This event promises to be an exciting look into the agricultural products of our favorite domestic insects.

Our Wandering Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on October 16, the weekly naturalist-led hike will be “When Crossroads Was a Farm.” It is a tribute to the work of Crossroads donors, staff and hundreds of volunteers that Crossroads seems like a wild place. But during the last century, the land was a farm and an orchard. Learn about our agronomic roots. (In case of rain, a PowerPoint presentation will be offered.) 

Our kids program that day will feature bumblebees–the native insects which are so beneficial to agriculture. The program “Bumbles and Crops” is geared for kids, but learners of all ages are welcome. 

Then on Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm, we welcome one of our favorite presenters, USDA Soil Scientist Jaimie Patton. She will offer a program called the called the Soil-Veggie Connection. explaining how soils influence growth, taste, and nutrition of veggies and fruits.

The Wisconsin Science Festival will continue into next week so check the Crossroads or the official Wisconsin Science Festival websites to learn of future programs.

Meanwhile, several comets are in the vicinity of Earth so this week, our Science Saturday program will be “Comet Chef”–one of our most popular programs. Geared for kids, we encourage learners of all ages to attend this program and our other kids’ programming.

– by Coggin Heeringa, Interpretive Naturalist

For more information, please check out our Crossroads calendar or stop by the Collins Learning Center and pick up a printed calendar. Our trails are open all day every day, free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors like you!

Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. Crossroads is a 501(c)3 organization committed to offering education, conducting research and land restoration, and providing outdoor experiences to inspire environmental stewardship in learners of all ages and from all backgrounds. We welcome your support. 

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Upcoming Activities

Monday, October 7

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Current Ecological Events Club

Love reading? Join our ecological article club, where we deep dive into current ecological articles for lively discussions, new friendships, and deepening our understanding of the natural world! This adult discussion group will meet each month to review articles about current ecological issues. Drop ins always welcome! Stop by the Collins leaning Center anytime prior to the meeting to receive free copies of the articles for the next meeting.

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Wednesday, October 9

1:30 – 2:30 pm Wandering Wednesdays – Fall Colors

Join the naturalist on a guided hike to observe fall colors. No preregistration required. About an hour. Easy walking. Open to the public; Free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

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3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Nature Explorations: Seed Dispersal

This program is intended for elementary school students but is open to all ages exploring the unique attributes of maple trees. Dress for the weather. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration not required. Open to the public and free thanks to the generosity of donors like you!

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Friday, October 11

2:00 – 3:00 pm School’s Out Excursion!

Kids will venture into the preserve for a “nature-based” adventure. Indoor activities will be offered if weather is uncooperative.

Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration not required. Open to the public and free thanks to the generosity of donors like you!

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4:00 – 5:30 pm Pumpkin Carving Night

Come carve a pumpkin with friends and family! Pumpkins and carving tools provided.

Open to the public and free thanks to the generosity of donors like you. Please email us with the number of attendees.

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Saturday, October 12

2:00 – 4:00 pm Science Saturday -Comet Chef

This weekly family program is intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. We will learn all about the “starry messengers” –comets– by attending this family-friendly demonstration during which the Comet Chef will concoct a frigid comet model after showing a short video. Every family will get a souvenir chunk of a “kitchen comet” to take home and enjoy (until it sublimates).

Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration not required. Open to the public and free thanks to the generosity of donors like you!