- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: April Showers Bring May Flowers
April showers (and snows) bring May flowers, but at Crossroads at Big Creek, they also enable the return of spawning fish, breeding frogs, migrating birds, and the trees break dormancy. Just as importantly, these spring rains replenish groundwater, supporting the local ecosystem.
This week’s Saturday Science family program will focus on “April Showers.” While designed for elementary-aged children, learners of all ages are welcome. The program includes engaging presentations and hands-on activities exploring the causes and impact of spring rains.
We will post on Facebook and our website when frogs begin their evening choruses in the swales and ponds near the Collins Learning Center. Birders already have begun reporting the arrival of early migrants, signaling the shift in seasons.
The highly anticipated Sucker Run is difficult to schedule in advance, as its timing depends on natural conditions. However, when the migration peaks, we will post updates on our website and Facebook page. During this annual breeding migration, Crossroads staff and volunteers often will be present at the Creek, along with Dr. Karen Murchie from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Dr. Murchie will be stationed at Big Creek for several days, sharing insights from her long-term, multi-state community science project on sucker migration.
Other fish also are on the move in our region. On Thursday, April 17, at 7:00 p.m., the final Fish Tales Lecture will feature Matthew Kornis, a fisheries biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His talk “Secrets of Lake Michigan Salmon and Trout: Survival, Movement, and Reproduction Revealed Through Mass Marking,” will present the latest findings from the Great Lakes Mass Marking project, with a special focus on steelhead trout in Lake Michigan. This lecture is free and open to the public, sponsored by Healthy Water Door County. Attendees can join in person at Crossroads or participate virtually via Zoom. Visit https://doorcountylibrary.org/event on the date of the talk to access the link.
Some effects of April showers on trees are easy to observe. This time of year, trees rapidly absorb water to support bud break, leaf expansion, flowering and early-season growth. As leaves begin photosynthesis, trees lose significant amounts of water through transpiration—the evaporation of water from leaf surfaces. To compensate, they continuously draw in water through their roots.
What many people don’t realize is that trees, especially hardwoods like maples and oaks, absorb far more water than they immediately need. They store this excess water in their trunks, branches, and roots, creating a reserve for dry periods—just as they did last summer when rainfall was scarce.
On a recent nature hike, a participant remarked, “Oh, like a camel!” While trees lack a hump, the comparison isn’t far off. Camels store water in their fat, while trees store it within their tissues, allowing them to endure drought conditions.
Spring has arrived (for good, we hope) at Crossroads—join us to experience the season’s wonders!
– 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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