The community is invited to see Crossroads at Big Creek in a different light on Friday, November 15, between 5:00 and 6:30 pm, during our free Luminary-Lit Hike. Participants will follow gentle trail illuminated by flickering candlelight and a rising full moon. At the end of the trail, hikers are encouraged to gather around a campfire to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. 

At least, that is the plan. But “the legend lives on from the Chippewa on down, of the big lake they call Gitchee Gumee”[and on Lake Michigan and Green Bay] “when the skies of November turn gloomy, the gales of November [can] come early.”  Here on the peninsula, we all know that the skies could turn gloomy and the wind is not just a legend. The gales of November are a very real phenomenon.

Starting in November and continuing throughout the winter, we suggest that before venturing out in questionable weather, folks check the Crossroads at Big Creek website. At the top of the page, the “ticker” will provide up-to-date information about cancellations, schedule changes, and Ski-for-Free open hours. Because we do not want to put our staff, our volunteers or our visitors in danger, we occasionally cancel events. Also know that when the School District of Sturgeon Bay is closed, the Collins Learning Center also will be closed, but the restrooms and trails will remain open.

It almost looks like the gales of November did come early at the Crossroads Ida Bay Preserve.  Along Canal Road, a number of Scots pine trees are stripped of branches and others are piled up along the roadside.  In the coming months, the whole preserve will look like it has been hit by an extreme weather event and  a grass fire.

This is NOT a disaster, but rather the beginning of a comprehensive restoration project. Last year, Crossroads engaged Mike Grimm to write a restoration master plan. The primary objective of thisland management plan is “to preserve the significant elements of natural diversity on the Ida Bay Preserve in a natural condition with as little human degradation as possible.”

We recently were awarded a grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to accomplish the goals outline in that plan. And under the supervision of our Land Manager, Nick Lutzke, we immediately got underway. Nick already has mowed fire breaks in anticipation of the controlled burns scheduled for next spring.

Ever since we acquired the land, a generous gift from The Nature Conservancy, Crossroads staff and volunteers have been removing invasives. The grant will enable us to intensify those efforts. 

Understand that during the lumber era, most of the forest land in Wisconsin was totally decimated. That was true of the Ida Bay Preserve. For generations, clear-cut areas were used for agriculture and for orchards, but they were left fallow. However, in some areas, white pine plantations were established, and Scots pines were introduced. 

In her book Natural Connections 2, Emily M. Stone explained that back in the 1930s, foresters “experimented with planting non-native species in hopes that they would not be susceptible to the insect and disease problems that slow growth in native species.”  The European species:  Scots Pine, Norway Spruce, and Austrian pine indeed did thrive in Wisconsin, but they did very little to support wildlife, and in many places, the European trees outcompeted the native species which are essential to a balanced ecosystem.

Later, buckthorn and non-native honeysuckles were sold as landscape plants, advertised as being beneficial to birds. Those birds spread the seeds throughout the preserve.

Unless we knock back invasive species, we will never achieve our restoration objectives. Consequently, this winter, contractors will be removing invasive tree species throughout the preserve.  In the forested areas, this will enable us to promote an understory of desirable ground cover and shrub-layer species and promote canopy tree regeneration. 

In the fields, we will remove invasives on the edges and replace them with desired shrub species. We intend to plant small trees to screen the hiking trails from the road and to allow aspens to continue to spread westward from the eastern forest patch and eastward from the western forest patch to eventually connect, forming a larger forest. 

It will look dreadful for a while…. but it will be well worth it if we can achieve a sustainable, biodiverse ecosystem. 

Meanwhile, back at the Learning Center, we will continue with our educational programs, and to provide inspiration for our restoration efforts on Monday, November 18 at 1:30, we will screen the documentary “Ridge and Swale”. This documentary celebrates the (well-documented) legends of conservation and community in Door County.

Produced by Peninsula Filmworks, the video tells the story of how the Door County community has worked and continues to preserve and maintain its natural beauty and heritage. “Ridge and Swale” was made possible by its sponsors, the Peninsula Pulse, Destination Door County, The Ridges Sanctuary, Door County Medical Center, and The Clearing.

We at Crossroads want to add to the legends of preservation and restoration on the Door Peninsula. These legends really must live on.

– 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

Wednesday, November 13

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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3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Enviornmental Exploration – Bubbles

This program is intended for elementary school students but is open to all ages. Indoor / outdoor program exploring the science of bubbles. (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, November 15

5:00 – 6:30 pm Luminary-lit Hike

Take a walk on one of our trails in the enchanting glow of our luminaries. Then when you get back, warm up around a toasty campfire with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the company of good people.

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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Saturday, November 9

2:00 – 4:00 pm Science Saturday – Meet the Otter

Join this indoor program and learn about the otters that live in the Cove Estuary through a series of games and videos. 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, November 11

1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Ridge and Swale Documentary Showing

Join us for a free, in-person showing of Ridge and Swale at the Crossroads’ auditorium.

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Ridge and Swale is a two-part documentary celebrating a legacy of conservation and community in Door County. Produced by Peninsula Filmworks, the series tells the story of how the Door County community has worked and continues to work on preserving and maintaining its natural beauty and heritage.

Ridge and Swale is made possible by its sponsors, the Peninsula Pulse, Destination Door County, The Ridges Sanctuary, Door County Medical Center, and The Clearing.

Join us for a free webinar screening at Crossroads’ auditorium.Center. Registration not required. Open to the public and free thanks to the generosity of donors like you!

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