Crossroads at Big Creek is honored to host Lee Kernen for a special Fish Tales Lecture titled, “How Did Pacific Salmon Find Their Way to Door County?” on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m.
Mention his name anywhere in the fishing community — from government fisheries biologists to commercial fishers, charter captains and weekend anglers — and the response is immediate: “He’s a living legend!” or “He’s a heck of a storyteller!”
Kernen has been inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame — sort of the Grammys of the fishing world. His 33-year career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources began in 1964, included time in Green Bay during the early years of the Great Lakes Pacific salmon program and culminated in his service as director of the Bureau of Fisheries Management in Madison, overseeing fisheries management statewide.
His work helped shape one of the most remarkable ecological interventions in Great Lakes history — the introduction of Pacific salmon to control exploding populations of alewife and revive a struggling fishery.
Many recall when the lakes were filled with alewife and beaches were lined with windrows — sometimes mountains — of odiferous dead fish. It was not pretty. Kernen will take audiences back to those days and explain how Pacific salmon changed both the ecological and economic story of Door County’s waters.
Much of this work happened before computers, electronic tagging, underwater telemetry or cellphones. The slides in this presentation have been scanned from old snapshots, offering a rare glimpse into hands-on fisheries science in its formative years. This promises to be an evening of vivid storytelling from someone who witnessed — and helped influence — a turning point in Great Lakes history.
The next day, Feb. 27, is a vacation day for many area students, so Crossroads is offering a School’s Out Excursion from 2 to 3:30 p.m. If weather cooperates (and this winter, that is a rather big “if”), kids will experience sliding using sleds and kicksleds. If there is not enough snow, the lab will feature ice- and snow-related interactive demonstrations. These activities are geared toward elementary-age students, but learners of all ages are encouraged to participate.
On Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., the Science Saturday activity, “Leap Year in Nature,” will explore the math and folklore behind why February usually has 28 days and why we add an extra day every four years (the next leap year arrives in 2028). Participants will also examine something nature seems to understand well — that in most wildlife species, males do the displaying and competing, but females usually make the final choice.
New and seasoned volunteers can learn about upcoming opportunities at the Volunteer Mixer on Monday, March 2, from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Trails at Crossroads are open daily, free of charge. Check the ticker on the Crossroads website for current trail conditions and Ski-for-Free hours.
Event Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 26
2 p.m. — Family Fun in the Lab
Kids, parents and grandparents can explore science together in a hands-on lab setting. Expect simple (and possibly messy) science activities that spark curiosity and creativity. No reservations required. Free and open to all ages, but geared toward elementary-age students. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
7 p.m. — Fish Tales Lecture: How Did Pacific Salmon Find Their Way to the Door Peninsula
The retired Wisconsin DNR director of the Bureau of Fisheries Management will share firsthand accounts of how and why Pacific salmon were introduced in Wisconsin. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
Friday, Feb. 27
2 p.m. — School’s Out Excursion: Sliding
Conditions permitting, this will be an outdoor experience using sleds and kicksleds. Alternative indoor activities about the science of sliding (geared toward elementary students but open to all) will be offered in the lab. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
Saturday, Feb. 28
2 p.m. — Leap Year in Nature
Families will explore the math and folklore behind why February usually has 28 days and why we add an extra day every four years (the next leap year arrives in 2028). Participants will also examine how, in most wildlife species, males display and compete while females make the final choice. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
Monday, March 2
1:30 p.m. — Monday Movie Matinee: Aldo Leopold — Learning from the Land
A daughter recalls the story of the Leopold family and their Wisconsin “Shack” experience. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
5 to 5:30 p.m. — Volunteer Mixer
New and seasoned volunteers can learn about upcoming opportunities. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
Tuesday, March 5
3:30 p.m. — Nature Investigators: Predator/Prey Games
This after-school program will investigate predator-prey relationships through games and simulations. Geared toward elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
Wednesday, March 6
1:30 p.m. — Wandering Wednesday
Join a naturalist-guided hike through the trails of Crossroads. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
