- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Soil Conservation
At Crossroads, we are committed to restoring stable, diverse ecosystems that support native plants and wildlife. And that involves soil conservation. Here in Door County, this work is especially vital. Our thin, fragile soils, shaped by a unique geological history, are particularly vulnerable to erosion and contamination.
During this week’s Nature Trek with Terrie, participants will take a “Journey through Time” and will learn that soil is a non-renewable resource—or more accurately, that it takes hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years to make an inch of topsoil. And yet, scientists tell us that without fertile topsoil, our food supply, clean water, biodiversity, and even the global climate would be in jeopardy.
Consequently, protecting our shallow soil—protecting it from erosion and contamination—is essential to our restoration efforts.
This August, we are offering Environmental Exploration, family-friendly outdoor experiences, at 1:00 pm several times each week [Environmental Exploration will resume on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm during the school year.]
On Monday, August 11, the topic is Erosion, and participants of all ages will learn about soil loss and what we are doing to mitigate erosion near Big Creek and to reduce the amount of fertile soil going into the Bay of Sturgeon Bay, and beyond.
Tuesday, August 12, Environmental Exploration will be a “Make-and-Take” activity featuring animal tracks, which will be followed by hike to the creek bed to find and identify animal tracks.
Our weekly naturalist-led Wandering Wednesday Hike will follow the Big Creek riparian shoreline to observe evidence of erosion.
And on Thursday, hikers aged 16 and older will take a deep dive into geologic history as part of our Nature Trek program, which requires registration—but like our other programs this week, it is free.
Our programs are usually free, our trails are open all day every day without charge, and we are able to conserve our soil and restore our ecosystems due to the generosity of our donors. And perhaps, if you bring children and grandchildren to our educational family programs, you can encourage young people to be “coming-of-age donors.” Together, we can build a legacy of generosity and environmental stewardship involving the next generations.
– 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 inspiring stewardship of the environment through education, research, and outdoor experiences. We welcome your support.
Upcoming Activities
