Crossroads at Big Creek will bring together more than a dozen community partners for a morning of hands-on learning and celebration during its upcoming Discovery Day event.
The free, family-friendly event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will feature interactive exhibits from more than 15 local organizations, along with a student art show inside the Collins Learning Center showcasing fish-inspired work from Sturgeon Bay middle and high school students.
Executive Director Samantha “Sam” Koyen said this year’s event will take a more interactive, community-centered approach.
“We’ll be opening our trails in a more community focused way,” Koyen said. “People will be able to interact with and learn about all of these local organizations through our trails, throughout the morning at intermittent stations.”
Activities will include educational opportunities and demonstrations from a variety of partners, offering visitors a chance to explore nature, conservation and local resources in an engaging outdoor setting.
The event also coincides with a milestone anniversary.
“This is all associated with the Collins Learning Center turning 25 this year,” Koyen said
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In addition to the celebration, Crossroads announced that Program Director and Naturalist Coggin Heeringa will be retiring, though a specific timeline has not yet been set.
“Coggin has had her finger on the pulse in every organization you can think of,” said Koyen. “Crossroads would not be here without her, she amazingly continues to pour her heart into the organization and the community,” she added.
Koyen also revealed a donation match initiative from the Collins family, which will match contributions up to $25,000.
Crossroads at Big Creek was established in 2003, building on earlier efforts to expand environmental education in the Sturgeon Bay area. Koyen says Discovery Day reflects that ongoing mission by connecting residents with local organizations and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
The event is free and open to the public.
