- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Run, Buzz, Explore
At Crossroads at Big Creek, we have been as busy as bees this week, preparing for the 17th Annual Crossroads Trail Run on Saturday, June 13. And speaking of bees, they will be the theme of next week’s “Summer at Crossroads” series.
Door County’s first trail run welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to choose a 2K, 5K, or 10K route through the Crossroads preserves. Chip timing allows for a staggered start by course, making the event enjoyable for both competitive runners and those who simply want to enjoy a walk in nature.
The three course options allow participants to experience many different parts of our preserves while promoting wellness and healthy living, cross-generational recreation, and greater awareness of conservation and sustainable living in our community. All participants will receive a native tree, courtesy of Evergreen Nursery, and a commemorative T-shirt. And, as always, the post-race snacks are legendary. There is still time to register. For more information, visit www.CrossroadsRun.com.
Then during Bee Week, Crossroads will be buzzing with activities.
On Monday, June 15, at 2:00 PM, Door County librarian Beth Lokken will read The Bumblebee Queen by April Pulley Sayre, an exquisite and scientifically accurate children’s book. While many people are familiar with honey-producing domestic honeybees, few know much about the very different lives of our extremely beneficial native bees.
Instead of spending the winter in a warm, honey-filled hive, a queen bumblebee survives alone through the cold months and awakens in spring with nothing except a ravenous appetite. She is the sole survivor of last year’s colony. Her first task is to feed herself and then find a place to establish a new hive, often an abandoned mouse burrow, a compost pile, or a grassy cavity.
Only then can she begin the enormous work ahead. She lays eggs and cares for the daughters that will become her workers. Later, she produces drones and next year’s queens. Throughout the season she gathers nectar and pollen, raises an entire colony, and provides invaluable ecological services to both natural areas and agriculture.
Even if your family can’t attend story time, you can still enjoy the picture book which will be featured on our Trail Tales Storybook Walk, which begins at the West Trailhead. The story provides a wonderful introduction to the extraordinary life of a queen bumblebee and the challenges she faces each growing season.
“Journeys with Joan” will carry on the theme with an Insect Safari, using nets to offer a close-up, albeit safe, introduction to bees and other insects during this weekly family program that encourages exploration of the natural world.
Participants in our weekly Wandering Wednesday nature hike will surely notice bees as they examine flowers for nectar guides—the colors, patterns, and markings that help bumblebees and countless other native bees locate nectar and, in the process, spread pollen from flower to flower.
The week concludes with a presentation by Door County Beekeepers Club President Len Arsenault. His “Talk” at 2:00 PM is called “Native and Non-Native Bees.” These weekly talks offer adult learners a deeper dive into a topic led by a community specialist, and this presentation promises to “Bee” enlightening.
Bats are not pollinators in Wisconsin, but they also provide invaluable ecosystem services. On Thursday, June 18th, Crossroads will conduct a Nighttime Bat Hike. Space is limited and eservations are required. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for more information and to sign up.
The Summer at Crossroads Series, designed to inspire “Curious Minds of All Ages” is free and open to the public. The proceeds of our Trail Run will help support this and other Crossroads education and stewardship programs.
– 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. Programs are free and our trails are open 24/7, 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) non-profit NGO supported by the community and committed to inspiring stewardship of the environment through education, research, and outdoor experiences. We welcome your support.
Upcoming Activities
