“Night Tree” is a cherished tradition at Crossroads at Big Creek. “Night Tree” also is a children’s book by Eve Bunting that tells the story of a family driving out “to where the quiet begins” to feed the wild creatures by decorating a tree in the forest. So, our special holiday Science Saturday program on December 21 will share this story by the fireside and then, families will hike to a secret place “where the quiet begins”in our forest to decorate a tree with bird food.  

We feed birds and wildlife at Crossroads, not so much to help the creatures, but instead, to inspire young people to develop a life-long love of nature and a desire to help the environment.

But when you think about it, the vision of our restoration efforts is “to create a landscape of healthy, diverse, and largely self-sustaining ecological communities, providing wildlife habitat for a variety of species.” In other words, our goal is feed the wild creatures long into the future.

But inspiring children is and always has been part of the mission of Crossroads, and we just learned that we received a special gift—a Cellcom Green Gift. Earlier this year, we created an activity center to help children gain familiarity for nature through hands-on interactive play and discovery. 

Our young visitors have loved the activities, but the adult-sized tables are just a bit too tall to accommodate small people. Thanks to our Cellcom Green Gift, we will be able to purchase child-sized tables. But don’t wait till the new furniture arrives.  Harried parents and grandparents are encouraged to drop in for a nature play session the whenever the Learning Center is open.

On Monday, December 23, we’ve scheduled a School’s Out Excursion, meaning that at 2:00 families will hike through the Big Creek preserve, visiting several Conifer Forests to learn how evergreens survive winter conditions. And if those winter conditions are unpleasant, an indoor alternative will be offered. 

The trails will remain open all day, every day of the year, free of charge, but on December 24 and 25, the Collins Learning Center will be closed.

– 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 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

Wednesday, December 18

1:30 – 2:30 pm Wandering Wednesdays – Naturalist Led Hike

Join a naturalist a gentle, but fragrant hike through the late autumn forest. Easy walking. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors.

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Friday, December 20

7:00 – 9:00 pm DPAS Astronomical Viewing Night

Starting at 7:00, planetarium shows are offered every half hour. Because seating is limited. Those waiting can tour the astronomy campus and observatory. At dark, around 9:00, DPAS members offer outdoor viewing and open the dome on the Leif Everson Observatory. Free and open to the public. 2200 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Visit facebook.com/DoorPeninsulaAstronomicalSociety for updates and more details.

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Saturday, December 21

2:00 pm Science Saturday – Night Tree

Join us for videos, a story by the fire, and a visit to the forest to decorate a tree for the birds and wildlife.  This weekly family program is intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. 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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Monday, December 23

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. School’s Out Excursion – Hike the Conifer Forest

This hike is designed for all ages and we encourage families to attend. We will visit different conifer forests and learn how conifer trees are adapted to survive in the weather. Indoor activities will be offered if weather is uncooperative. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.  Registration not required. Free and open to the public. 

Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25

The trails remain open all day, every day of the year, free of charge,  but on December 24 and 25, the Collins Learning Center will be closed.