We are well into meteorological spring, and this week we celebrate the Vernal Equinox—the astronomical first day of spring.
While spring green-up and wildflowers are still weeks away, at Crossroads we will spend the week exploring one of the most important processes of the spring season: the activity taking place below the surface. Soil, soil organisms, and groundwater recharge quietly shape the health of our landscapes long before leaves appear on the trees.
As the ground moves through its late-winter freeze and thaw cycles, important changes occur underground. Ice expands and contracts, opening tiny pores between soil particles. The hard seed coats of many plants are weakened by freezing and thawing so they can germinate when conditions are right. At the same time, countless soil organisms—from microbes to invertebrates—begin stirring just as snow melts and spring rains become more frequent. As with everything in nature, these processes are closely connected.
What happens to the water that arrives on the landscape in early spring? Sometimes it rushes across frozen ground, carrying valuable topsoil with it. At other times it slowly seeps into the soil, replenishing groundwater or collecting in wetlands where it can be stored and released gradually through the growing season.
Several Crossroads programs this week invite the public to explore these seasonal changes. The Afterschool Nature Investigators program on at 3:30 on Thursday, March 19 will look at how the lengthening daylight and the changing angle of the sun influence temperature and weather in our region. The Saturday Science program—geared for school-aged learners but engaging for all ages—will explore the formation and value of wetlands in a program called Where Water Meets Land.
The Monday Movie Matinee will feature the documentary The Beaver Believers, which shows how beavers help create and restore wetlands that store water, support wildlife, and strengthen natural ecosystems.
On Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m., the Door County Master Gardeners Association and Wild Ones–Door Peninsula will host Certified Soil Scientist Jamie Patton at the Collins Learning Center. Patton will explain that soil is not simply “dirt,” but a living system filled with communities of organisms that help keep gardens and landscapes healthy and properly hydrated.
Early spring is often damp, muddy, and unpredictable. At Crossroads, we see the season as an opportunity to better understand how water moves through the landscape—and how healthy soils and wetlands help make the most of the precipitation we receive.
And while it is not a Crossroads program, we also encourage the community to learn more about suckers from researcher Karen Murchie during Door County Science on Tap at Bridge Up Brewing Company at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.
Thursday, March 19
3:30 PM – Nature Investigators: Day Length
Geared for school-age kids, this program will explore how day length and the angle of the sun affect nature. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
6:00 PM – Door County Science on Tap: “Suckers” with Karen Murchie of Shedd Aquarium
Bridge Up Brewing, 129 N Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay. Stop by Bridge Up Brewing to learn about the fascinating spring migrations of suckers and the research being conducted to better understand them. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, March 21
10:00 AM – Science Saturdays: Where Water Meets Land
Learn about wetlands through a variety of interactive activities. This weekly family program is intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.
Monday, March 23
1:30 PM – Monday Movie Matinee: The Beaver Believers
The Beaver Believers is an award-winning feature documentary sharing the urgent yet whimsical story of an unlikely cadre of activists: five scientists and a sassy, spicy hairdresser who recognize that North America’s most industrious rodent may hold the key to restoring wetlands, storing water, and reviving damaged ecosystems. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay
Tuesday, March 24
6:30 Master Gardener/Wild One Lecture: Soil Science in the Garden
Discover the bustling world beneath your feet! Soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a vibrant, living ecosystem teeming with activity. Every choice we make in the garden, from spring bed prep to the final harvest, shapes the underground communities that keep our soils healthy, resilient, and productive.Join Jamie Patton, Certified Professional Soil Scientist and lifelong soil enthusiast, as she brings more than 30 years of experience exploring the hidden wonders below ground. Together, we’ll dig into the fascinating lives of soil organisms and learn practical ways to nurture this “living underground” while growing delicious fruits, hearty vegetables, and beautiful ornamentals. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay
