The COVID-19 pandemic forced The Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay to close its buildings and cancel some education programs.  However, that also created an opportunity to draw visitors to the preserve's trails in a safer and reassuring matter.  Crossroads staff members used the reduction in facilities operations to create a new trails map, with help from a local commercial artist, to make them easier to follow.  Program Director and Naturalist Coggin Heeringa says the new trail maps also put visitors' minds at ease.
 

Heeringa says improving the trails during the pandemic provides some physical and health benefits.  She also expects more people to show up who want to be in natural settings in a safe manner.
 

Crossroads at Big Creek staff members also used the building closures and program reduction to help remove invasive plant species and reintroduce native plants.