Thanks to recent precipitation of every kind and several midwinter thaws, we once again have flowing water in The Cove Estuary and the lower reaches of Big Creek. Seeing open water makes us anticipate the annual sucker run. They are out there—moving slowly and biding their time until conditions are right to spawn.

But where, exactly? Do suckers that were born in Big Creek form schools and travel together? How far do they go? How do they know when to return, and do they show fidelity to particular spawning sites?

Inquiring minds want to know, and one especially inquiring mind—Dr. Karen Murchie, a freshwater fish biologist and director of freshwater research at Shedd Aquarium—will help answer those questions. Dr. Murchie will present the kickoff lecture for the popular Fish Tales Lecture Series, titled “Where Suckers Swim,” on Thursday, Jan. 22.

Suckers are sometimes dismissed as “trash fish,” but this unappreciated group plays a vital role in Great Lakes ecosystems. By moving nutrients into tributary streams through their eggs and waste, suckers boost freshwater food webs. They are also important prey for other fish and for birds, linking nearshore lake ecosystems with inland streams.

Dr. Murchie launched a regional project that engages volunteer scientists in monitoring sucker migrations at dozens of stream sites around lakes Michigan and Superior. Crossroads at Big Creek has proudly participated in this effort for many years, along with volunteers from other Door County environmental organizations.

Citizen scientists visit streams daily to collect environmental data on migration cues, including temperature thresholds, water depth and water velocity. These observations help researchers understand what triggers migration and how those cues may be shifting with climate change.

In recent years, Dr. Murchie has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand this research. Using acoustic transmitters and receivers, researchers now track individual suckers year-round, not just during spawning season. Each tagged fish emits a unique signal detected by receivers across the Great Lakes, revealing where fish live and how they move outside of spawning grounds.

During the Fish Tales lecture, Dr. Murchie will share early results from this ongoing work. The program is free and open to the public. On the day of the talk, a livestream link will be available through the Door County Library event listing. Additional recorded Fish Tales lectures and videos are available on the Crossroads at Big Creek website.

Fish are not the only creatures that spend time in Big Creek and The Cove Estuary. River otters are frequent visitors, and the Saturday Science program on Jan. 24, beginning promptly at 2 p.m., is called “Meet the Otter.” Interactive activities are geared toward elementary-aged students, but learners of all ages are welcome. The program will begin indoors, and weather permitting, participants will hike to Big Creek and The Cove in hopes of spotting otters or finding their tracks and slides.

The Monday Matinee program this week offers a look at the impact of trees on the state of Wisconsin. This prerecorded webinar, part of the University Place program, will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. The after-school Environmental Exploration program, titled “Seeps in Winter,” will take participants on a hike to places where melting snow, having traveled through fractures in the bedrock, slowly emerges and flows into Big Creek.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Crossroads will host a Wild Ones/Master Gardener lecture titled “Planting Trees in the Time of Climate Change.” Representatives from The Ridges Sanctuary and the Climate Change Coalition of Door County will discuss a collaborative project focused on improving community tree planting and resilient ecological restoration. The project seeks to more effectively initiate and carry out restoration work, collect and share data, and apply lessons learned to increase forest survivability in boreal and temperate mesic ecosystems.

Thanks to donors, these programs—including the Ski for Free program—are offered free of charge to the public.

Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7 p.m.
Fish Tales Lecture: Where the Suckers Swim
Join us for an engaging talk by Dr. Karen Murchie, director of freshwater research at Shedd Aquarium. In recent years, Dr. Murchie has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand her research on suckers. Using acoustic transmitters and receivers, researchers now track individual fish year-round, not just during spawning season. Dr. Murchie will share early results from this ongoing work. Free and open to the public. On the day of the talk, a livestream link will be available through the Door County Library event listing.

Saturday, Jan. 24 | 2 p.m.
Science Saturday: Meet the Otter
Starting promptly at 2 p.m., learn how otters slide through life in winter—on land and in water. Weather permitting, this program will include a hike, so please dress for the conditions. This weekly family program is intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Free and open to the public. Meet in the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, Jan. 26 | 1:30 p.m.
Monday Movie Matinee – “How Trees Built the Midwest”
This University of the Air prerecorded lecture explores Wisconsin’s Trees: A Living Legacy. Discover how ash, pine, sugar maple, white birch and apple trees have shaped Wisconsin’s landscapes, culture and communities. Presented by Jay Dampier, statewide horticulture outreach program manager, as part of a University Place program. Free and open to the public. Meet in the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 3:30 p.m.
Environmental Exploration: Seeps in Winter
This after-school program, geared toward elementary students but open to all ages, explores winter seeps—water that travels through bedrock before emerging and flowing into Big Creek. Weather permitting, this will include a hike, so please dress accordingly. Free and open to the public. Meet in the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 1:30 p.m.
Wandering Wednesday
Join a naturalist-led hike through the trails of Crossroads. Easy walking, approximately one hour. Free and open to the public. Meet in the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.