It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, and folks around County Door are celebrating this coming weekend!
At Crossroads at Big Creek, we’ve tailored our programs to align with St. Patrick’s Day and the seasonal phenomenon known as the “spring green-up.”
Our Science Saturday family program on March 15 (starting at 2:00 ) will feature an outdoor excursion (weather permitting) titled “In Search of Green.” On March 17, our Monday 1:30 adult program is a lecture called “Nature and St. Patrick.” On Tuesday, March 18, the 3;30 Environmental Exploration after-school program will be a “Seep Seek,” during which participants will search for locations where groundwater seeps into Big Creek by, as you might have guessed, looking for early signs of green along the banks.
“Green-up” refers to the period when plants break dormancy and resume growth. Scientific studies indicate that this typically occurs in early to mid-April in our region, although an early warm spell in March can accelerate the process.
Thanks to the moderating effect of Lake Michigan, our narrow peninsula may experience green-up earlier than the surrounding region. Even within our three Crossroads preserves, we observe localized microclimates, meaning that in sheltered, sunny areas, we may spot green around St. Patrick’s Day—or just as likely, we could experience a late-winter blizzard.
Green is associated with luck, renewal, and prosperity, and in Ireland, it is the color used to honor St. Patrick, the country’s patron saint. According to folklore, wearing green on March 17 makes you invisible to leprechauns—so they won’t pinch you!
However, that’s just one of the many myths surrounding St. Patrick.
One of the most well-known legends claims that the good saint drove the snakes from Ireland. While he didn’t, Ireland has no native snake species. It's because of the glaciers!
Ireland, like Door County, was covered by massive glacial ice for thousands of years during the last Ice Age. However, when the glaciers began to retreat approximately 10,000 years ago, Door County remained connected to the mainland, gradually allowing snakes to repopulate the area.
In contrast, as Europe’s ice sheets melted, rising sea levels isolated Ireland from the rest of the continent. This geographic separation prevented snakes from recolonizing the island, and to this day, no native snake species exist.
For the same reason (rising sea levels, not St. Patrick), Ireland has only one native species of frog and one native species of toad. The lecture will also cover shamrocks and other related topics.
The Junior Nature Club meets every Wednesday at 3:00 PM. Designed for children aged 3 to 5 and their accompanying adults, the program can accommodate siblings, and most sessions will take place outdoors as weather permits. This week, the group will be "Looking for Logs."
Saturday, March 15
2:00 PM – Science Saturday: In Search of Green
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, at 2:00, participants will venture into the forest in search of the first signs of spring. (Indoor programs will be offered in the lab if the weather does not cooperate.) It is geared toward elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free and open to the public.
Monday, March 17
1:30 PM – Lecture: Nature and St. Patrick
Did St. Patrick drive the frogs and snakes from Ireland? What is a shamrock really? This lecture will discuss the legends and the science behind this Irish-American holiday. The lecture will last about an hour. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration is not required.
Tuesday, March 18
3:30 PM – Environmental Exploration: Seep Seek
Families are joining us outside for this afterschool program to learn about and search for the places where groundwater enters Big Creek. Free and open to all ages. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.
6:30 Door County Beekeeper Meeting
The community is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Door County Beekeepers Club. The program "Preparing For Bees" and will cover equipment and techniques. Free and open to the public. Meet in the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.
Wednesday, March 19
1:30 Wandering Wednesday
Join a naturalist on a guided hike through Crossroads. About an hour. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center
3:00 pm Junior Nature Club
"Looking for Logs" is the topic for this week's Junior Nature Club, a free, weekly program for preschool-aged children (ages three and up). Parents or guardians are expected to remain with the group throughout each class. Siblings and family members are welcome to participate. The class meets rain or shine. Come dressed for outdoor exploration. If the weather is too bad to be outdoors, we will do nature-related activities inside. Registration is not required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.
