There’s been a lot of activity at Crossroads at Big Creek’s Ida Bay Preserve—and we’ll admit, it’s not pretty. As part of a multi-year ecological restoration project, we’ve burned meadows, cut down trees, and created massive brush piles. To some, it may not look like the beloved landscapes they have hiked for years, but restoration is environmental stewardship in action.
“Restoration” has many interpretations. One of the most insightful comes from renowned entomologist and ecologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy: “Restoration isn’t about bringing back what was, but about creating what can be—a landscape that sustains life.”
Since the founding of Crossroads, and following the acquisition of the Ida Bay Preserve, restoration has been central to our mission. We’ve long understood that invasive species are harmful and that native plants are beneficial. But the deeper “why” behind this didn’t truly resonate with me until I heard Dr. Tallamy speak and read his work.
We all know that energy on Earth comes from the Sun, and through the miraculous process of photosynthesis, plants convert solar energy into food. But as Tallamy explains, “Most animals can't access this energy directly from plants. That's where insects come in. Insects, especially herbivorous ones like caterpillars, consume plant matter and become nutrient-rich food for birds, reptiles, and mammals. This makes insects the key intermediaries, moving the sun’s energy up the food web.”
Native plants are vital to this process because they co-evolved with local insect species, enabling insects to effectively digest and metabolize them. In contrast, non-native plants often support far fewer insects and disrupt the flow of energy through the ecosystem.
Some invasive plants arrived accidentally, but many were introduced by people with good intentions. For example, during the Logging Era, nearly 90% of Wisconsin’s native forests were cleared. In response, government foresters during the Great Depression planted non-native trees such as Scotch pine, Austrian pine, and Norway spruce, reasoning that these European species would resist native pests. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers established vast plantations of these trees, which indeed flourished.
Those foresters meant well. But like many of us, they didn’t recognize the essential role of insects in sustaining biodiversity—or the profound importance of a resilient, diverse ecosystem, especially in an era of rapid climate change. They couldn’t have predicted the devastation caused by Dutch elm disease, beech bark disease, or the emerald ash borer....and whatever will come next.
So when Crossroads removes non-native trees like Scotch pine and Norway spruce and replaces them with a diversity of native plants, we are literally feeding baby birds their avian parents, and countless other species—mammals, reptiles, and even fish.
Across our preserves, we tailor restoration to the specific needs of each site. In areas where native trees and spring ephemerals still thrive, our goal is to suppress invasive shrubs like honeysuckle and buckthorn to preserve what remains.
When I was in school, we were taught that if land was left alone, it would naturally recover. That’s only partially true. As Tallamy notes, “It used to be that when you left a field alone, it would eventually become forest again. Today, because of the invasive plant problem, many fields become degraded thickets of non-native species that support very little life.”
That’s why we burn. That's why we remove trees. That’s why we use herbicides when necessary. It’s all part of creating healthy, biodiverse habitats that can endure and flourish.
And we want to showcase what we’re doing. We hope others will be inspired to become better stewards of their own landscapes.
One inspiring example: members of the Wild Ones–Door Peninsula have “adopted” two Sturgeon Bay city parks—Woodside Wildflower Preserve and Franke Park—where native plants still dominate. Volunteers will work to protect these green spaces from invasive species.
To explain these efforts, Jason Miller from the Door County Invasive Species Team will be at Crossroads to present a program on Tuesday, May 27, at 6:30 PM, detailing how to protect and manage these parks—and offering guidance for anyone engaged in land stewardship. This week, Crossroads nature hikes also will feature restoration this week.
Restoration is central to the mission of Crossroads at Big Creek—and we hope it becomes part of your mission too.
Tuesday, May 27
3:30 PM – Bird Listening
Learn to identify birds by sound in this interactive program geared toward elementary students—though all ages are welcome. Free and open t the public. Meet at the Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
6:30 PM – Wild Ones Lecture: Restoration in “Our” Parks
Jason Miller of the Door County Invasive Species Team will discuss restoration options for two forested city parks and provide best practices for volunteers and landowners. Sponsored by Wild Ones–Door Peninsula, the Door County Master Gardeners Association, and Crossroads. Free and open the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads
Wednesday, May 28
1:30 PM – Wandering Wednesday Hike
A naturalist-led hike through Big Creek Preserve will explore restoration sites and discuss ongoing efforts. Easy, one-hour hike. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan
Thursday, May 29
9:00 PM – Wildflower Hike at Ida Bay Preserve
Search for spring ephemerals on a naturalist-led hike at the Zenith Street end of the Ida Bay Preserve. Free and open to the public. Meet at the parking lot at 1195 Canal Road, Sturgeon Bay.
