- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Water and Wetlands
On a recent kindergarten field trip, a very young hiker asked why our preserve is called “Crossroads.” We explained that before the roundabout was built, this was the place where two roads crossed.
But from the beginning, “Crossroads” has meant more than a geographic intersection. It is a metaphor. We envisioned this place as a crossroads where young and old come together, where scientists and researchers meet concerned citizens, and where the past meets the future.
What we didn’t fully understand back then was that this special piece of land is also a place where waters meet. We didn’t realize that The Cove is an estuary, and we didn’t grasp the extent of the Big Creek watershed. We immediately noticed groundwater seeping into the creek at many places within the preserve. But it wasn’t until we re-meandered Big Creek that we fully appreciated the significance of our ephemeral wetlands.
The word ephemeral means “lasting for a very short time.” We use it to describe our spring wildflowers, which bloom briefly before the forest canopy shades them. Though the ephemeral flowers disappear, the plants are still there.
In the same way, the wetlands at Crossroads are ephemeral. They often dry out for much of the year, making them easy to overlook. Yet even when they appear bone dry, these wetlands play a critical role in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological health.
This spring, our ephemeral wetlands demonstrated their value during several intense weather events. Snowmelt and torrential rains, instead of overwhelming County TT or flooding nearby farmland, spread into our wetland floodplains. These areas acted like sponges, absorbing excess water. In doing so, they provided natural flood control, filtered pollutants, and enhanced groundwater recharge.
Students visiting this spring learned that, because ephemeral wetlands dry up seasonally, they cannot support fish. The absence of fish makes our wetlands ideal breeding grounds for amphibians like frogs and toads, as well as certain species of dragonflies and other beneficial insects. In most years, the tadpoles and insect nymphs complete metamorphosis before the wetlands dry up.
And the flowers! While our woodland spring wildflowers are quickly fading, our restoration efforts—especially the removal of invasive aquatic plants—are helping transform the ephemeral wetlands along Big Creek into a kaleidoscope of colorful, moisture-loving flowers which through summer and fall support a wide range of native bees and pollinators, including hummingbirds.
So, this week, we’re focusing on water and wetlands—and, as always, environmental stewardship. Because the more we learn about Big Creek, its watershed, and the variety of wetlands it supports, the deeper our commitment to protecting the land and water—at Crossroads and beyond.
– 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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