- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Pollinators and “The Prairie”
Crossroads at Big Creek invites the community to the dedication of a stunning new piece of outdoor art, The Prairie, on Monday, August 18 at 2:00 p.m., near the entrance to the Collins Learning Center.
Created by mosaic artist Jeff Lang before his unexpected passing, The Prairie celebrates native wildflowers and pollinators. Thanks to the help of Bob and Eileen Brown, Brenda Lange, Phil Block, and Doug and Barbara Henderson, this vibrant mosaic has been permanently installed—appropriately nestled among native plants in our pollinator garden.
A brief dedication speech by Crossroads Executive Director Samantha Koyen will be offered at 2:30 p.m., followed by light refreshments and self-guided strolls through the gardens, lovingly maintained by our devoted volunteer group, the Pollinator Pals.
The mosaic, while stylized, is a vivid illustration of an important ecological relationship known as mutualism. Over millions of years, native wildflowers and their pollinators have co-evolved, with each depending on the other for species survival.
Scientists—and sometimes politicians—use the Latin term quid pro quo, meaning “something for something,” to describe this interdependence. As early as the 18th century, botanist Christian Konrad Sprengel observed that pollinators don’t work for free. In exchange for transporting pollen, pollinators receive a reward: nectar, pollen, or sticky substances essential for their own survival or for that of their offspring.
Pollinators vary widely, and so do the flowers that depend on them. Their colors, shapes, and scents have evolved to attract specific species:
Bees favor yellow, purple, and white flowers—though they see white in the ultraviolet range. Because bees can’t hover, they prefer flat blossoms with landing platforms.
Butterflies and moths, with their long tongues, can reach into deep, trumpet-shaped blooms.
Night-blooming flowers, often pale in color, emit strong fragrances at dusk to attract nocturnal moths.
Flies and beetles are drawn to flowers that mimic the scent of rotting meat—an adaptation that may repel us but works perfectly for their intended audience.
Finally, hummingbirds are drawn to bright red blossoms, such as columbine (seen in the mosaic) and cardinal flower, which is now blooming in profusion in our wetlands.
Among the most effective and beloved pollinators are in the Bombus genus—bumblebees. These gentle, hairy bees have a unique superpower: buzz pollination. By vibrating their flight muscles, they can dislodge pollen from deep within certain flowers, making them essential partners in plant reproduction.
To celebrate our native pollinators, Crossroads will offer the family-friendly program “Bombus Among Us” at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, as part of our Environmental Exploration program. Families can learn all about bumblebees and their fascinating behavior. Our Trek with Terrie this week will be an Insect Discovery Hike.
And don’t forget—on Saturday, August 23, the Door County Beekeepers will host their cherished Community Honey Harvest at Crossroads, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It’s part festival, part educational celebration of the essential role of honeybees. This event also highlights the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystems—and the shared responsibility we all have in protecting them. We hope to see you at Crossroads!”
– 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.
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