- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Restoration
At Crossroads at Big Creek this week, the focus is on restoration—examined through the dual lenses of prairie ecology and geology. On Friday, July 18, as part of Door County Prairie Fest, The Prairie Enthusiasts organization will present “Prairie Talk: Considerations for Establishing and Sustaining a Prairie.” This free, educational program will offer practical insights into prairie restoration, ecology, and long-term stewardship.
Then on Thursday July 24, at 1:00 the Nature Treks with Terrie will be a guided hike through the Ida Bay Preserve, highlighting the site’s geology, the legacy of post-glacial lakes, and the ecological restoration efforts currently underway.
This week, even our family programs will relate to geology and land restoration and biodiversity.
Despite the name, “Ida Bay” does not refer to a body of water. The preserve was named for the conservation-minded landowner who donated the land to The Nature Conservancy. In 2013, TNC transferred the property—along with a stewardship endowment—to Crossroads at Big Creek. The transfer was celebrated during a postcard-perfect snowfall. And throughout that winter, snowshoe hikes revealed the beauty of snow-laden conifers, but deep drifts concealed much of the terrain’s character.
When spring arrived and the snow melted, we were confronted by dense growth of invasive species. Yet, the snow-free landscape revealed ridges and rock formations—features that resembled ancient shorelines of glacial lakes.
Suspecting the ridges might mark historic shorelines, we contacted Randy Dickson of Midwest Archaeological Consultants, who sent a field technician to the site with an altimeter. Her findings were remarkable: the elevations of four distinct ridges aligned precisely with the known shorelines of four prehistoric post-glacial lakes—all within the 64-acre preserve.
During the last Ice Age, massive glaciers depressed the Earth’s crust in this region. As the glaciers retreated more than 10,000 years ago, the land began to rebound—a process known as isostatic rebound. This caused dramatic changes in lake levels over time, leaving behind the geological features we see today. The Great Lakes and the Door Peninsula, as we know them now, gradually took shape through these natural fluctuations.
Understanding the post-glacial geological history of our land enhances our ability to restore native ecosystems. It informs choices about where to plant trees and what species are most likely to thrive, where to introduce prairie vegetation, and how to support biodiversity most effectively.
This week, we invite the community to learn with us—by attending Prairie Talk, exploring the Ida Bay Preserve on a guided trek, or simply enjoying our trails, which are open to the public all day, every day, free of charge.
At Crossroads, we believe that restoration begins with understanding, and understanding begins with exploration.
If it’s been a while since you contributed to Crossroads—or if you’d like to make an additional gift—now is the perfect time. Through July 31, every dollar donated will be matched (up to $10,000) thanks to the generosity of Jim and Donna Janning. Your gift will support stewardship of the Big Creek Watershed and help preserve our natural spaces for generations to come. Click here to donate now.
– 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
