Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve has new leadership in place with Laurel Hauser named as the new Interim Executive Director on Monday. Director Coggin Heeringa has accepted a newly created position as Program Director and Naturalist. Hired as Crossroads' first director in 2001, Heeringa has expanded Crossroads' programming for area schools with educational opportunities like archaeology and astronomy. Hauser, who has worked closely with Heeringa the past few years, shares her vision for Crossroads going forward.
Hauser was most recently the assistant director at the Door County Land Trust and has volunteered with numerous Door County nonprofits. Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay has nearly 200 acres spread over three preserves. The Collins Learning Center is closed during the current health crisis, but the nature preserves and trails remain open to the public.
Hauser Accepts Interim Executive Director Role of Crossroads at Big Creek
Sturgeon Bay, WI. The Board of Directors at Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is pleased to announce a new staff structure that will allow the organization to grow while taking advantage of its strong history. Matt Luders, board president, announced that Laurel Hauser has taken the role of Interim Executive Director. Hauser was hired in April of 2019 as Assistant Director after many years with the Door County Land Trust and volunteer involvement with numerous Door County nonprofits. Director Coggin Heeringa has accepted a newly created position as Program Director and Naturalist.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with this arrangement,” said Luders. “Crossroads has been a beloved community treasure for so long and is growing. The board and staff have been working very hard, collaboratively, to make sure that we’re set up for sustainability. We are confident in Laurel’s experience and fresh perspective and the opportunities that she will help create. And, we’re thrilled that Coggin will utilize her expertise and continue to be an important part of ushering us into our next decade. We honor the leadership she’s provided for almost 20 years.”
Heeringa was hired in 2001 as Crossroads’ first director, and until 2017 was its only full-time staff. Under her leadership, Crossroads grew from 60 acres on one preserve to just under 200 acres spread over three preserves – Big Creek, The Cove and Ida Bay. Crossroads also expanded its programming, welcoming students from every area school and offering innovative and unique educational opportunities like archaeology and astronomy. Crossroads hosts hundreds of community programs each year and is home to numerous scientific research projects. Crossroads is pleased to receive support from more than 600 households allowing it to be open to the public at no charge.
Prior to directing Crossroads, Heeringa was an environmental educator and the naturalist at Newport State Park. For seven years, she taught Music and the Gifted and Talented program for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Since 1967, she has also been the instructor of environmental education at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan.
Heeringa explains, “I am confident that Laurel will successfully lead us into the future, and I’m pleased that I can continue to do what I love: biological research and developing and offering programs for learners of all ages. And, I happily anticipate working with our Land and Facilities Manager Nick Lutzke, contractors and volunteers to restore Crossroads to a healthy, diverse wildlife habitat.”
Heeringa and Hauser have worked closely together for the past year. “I’m grateful to Coggin for her vision and dedication and for all she and previous board members have accomplished,” Hauser said. “I’m also excited about our future. We’ve just adopted an ecological restoration plan that will engage families and volunteers in land stewardship, and we’ll be unveiling a new trail map soon that highlights our natural habitats. We have a great team and we’ll be continuing to expand the ways in which we can serve our community.”
Crossroads invites the community to visit and spend time outdoors. While the Collins Learning Center is closed during the current health crisis, the preserves remain open. “We’re pleased to be able to provide a safe outdoor experience in this time of great need and we look forward to resuming programming and all of our other offerings in the future,” said Luders.
Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Crossroads is a 501(c)3 organization committee to offering education, conducting research and providing outdoor experiences to inspire environmental stewardship in learners of all ages. Crossroads trails and preserves are open daily from dawn to dusk at no charge. For more information, see www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org or call (920)746-5895.
