“Butterflies” is this week’s Summer at Crossroads theme, and this time of year, our meadows, gardens and open fields are alive with color and motion as butterflies move through one of nature’s most remarkable transformations—from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to winged adult. These insects are important pollinators, and their life cycles are closely tied to specific host plants and seasonal blooms.

For example, monarch caterpillars depend on milkweed species (Wisconsin is home to 13 native types), meadow fritillary caterpillars rely on violets, and black swallowtail caterpillars depend on plants in the carrot family, such as dill, carrots and golden alexander.

As these amazing insects mature into winged adults, their needs change, shifting their diet from their nursery plants to nectar-rich blooms. Examples of these include milkweeds, blazing star, coneflowers and bee balm.

The week starts with a Tale. At 2 p.m. on Monday, July 13, Door County Librarian will read the storybook The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies, written by Kay Barnham and illustrated by Maddie Frost. Perfect for curious young readers, this beautifully illustrated picture book explores one of nature’s most fascinating questions: How does a butterfly grow? Children will follow the remarkable transformation from a tiny egg to a crawling caterpillar, then to a resting chrysalis and finally to a graceful butterfly taking flight, all while discovering fascinating science facts along the way. (For those who can’t make story time, the pages of this book will be posted all week on our Trail Tales storybook walk, which starts at our West Trailhead.)

Journeys with Joan, our weekly family program, will explore Butterflies: Masters of Transformation at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. Naturalist Joan Wilkie will guide participants in understanding metamorphosis and encourage them to look for summer butterflies in Crossroads’ gardens, meadows and fields, discovering along the way how even small creatures play a big role in sustaining the mammals we share the landscape with.

Hikers participating in Wandering Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. will be encouraged to look for summer butterflies in Crossroads’ gardens, meadows and fields, where nectar-rich flowers attract a wide variety of species. From monarchs and swallowtails to painted ladies and sulfurs, each butterfly plays a role in pollination as it moves from bloom to bloom in search of energy-rich nectar.

For our 2 p.m. Thursday Talk on July 16, join Karen Newbern, nursery manager at Door Landscape & Nursery, for an inspiring program on creating a garden that truly comes alive. Karen will share practical guidance on designing a butterfly garden that supports both beauty and biodiversity, including how to select plants that attract butterflies throughout their entire life cycle—from egg and caterpillar to chrysalis and adult.

Participants will learn the difference between host plants, which caterpillars rely on for food, and nectar plants, which fuel adult butterflies, as well as how to plan for continuous blooms from spring through fall. Karen will also discuss how thoughtful garden design can provide the essential elements butterflies need—sun, shelter from the wind and access to water.

Drawing on her professional experience, Karen will offer tips tailored to northern Wisconsin gardens, including native plant recommendations, maintenance strategies and design ideas that work in spaces of all sizes, from small backyard plots to school gardens and larger landscapes.

Throughout the week—and the rest of the summer—stop by during open hours for Tinkers, self-led, hands-on activities designed for curious minds inspired by these winged pollinators.

Butterflies are not only beautiful but also biologically complex. Their wings are covered in tiny overlapping scales that produce color through both pigments and light refraction, and their long, coiled proboscis allows them to sip nectar from deep within flowers. Because they are sensitive to environmental changes, butterflies are also important indicators of ecosystem health.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Crossroads trails are open all day, every day, free of charge.

Monday, July 13

2 p.m. Tale: The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies

Join Door County Librarian Beth Lokken as she reads the weekly tale, The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies, written by Kay Barnham and illustrated by Maddie Frost. Perfect for curious young readers, this beautifully illustrated picture book answers the question: How does a butterfly grow? Children will follow the fascinating transformation from a tiny egg to a crawling caterpillar, then to a resting chrysalis and finally to a graceful butterfly taking flight. Packed with engaging science facts, this book is perfect for homeschool science lessons, life cycle unit studies or simply sharing the wonders of nature with a child. Free and open to the public. Meet in front of the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, July 14

1 p.m. Journeys with Joan – Butterflies: Masters of Transformation

Join naturalist Joan Wilkie for free, family-oriented activities exploring nature. Butterflies are masters of transformation. Look for summer butterflies in Crossroads’ gardens, meadows and fields. Suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, July 15

1:30 p.m. Wandering Wednesday

Join a naturalist-led hike. Easy walking. About an hour. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on a leash. Registration is not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Thursday, July 16

2 p.m. Talk: Creating a Butterfly Garden

Create a garden that truly comes alive with color and motion. Join Karen Newbern, nursery manager at Door Landscape & Nursery, for an inspiring program on designing a butterfly garden that supports both beauty and biodiversity.

Karen will share practical guidance on selecting the right plants to attract butterflies throughout their entire life cycle—from egg and caterpillar to chrysalis and adult. Learn the difference between host plants and nectar plants, how to plan for continuous blooms from spring through fall, and how thoughtful garden design can provide shelter, sun and water for these important pollinators.

With her professional background in nursery management and plant selection, Karen will also offer tips tailored to northern Wisconsin gardens, including native plant choices, maintenance strategies and design ideas that work in a variety of spaces, whether you’re planting a small yard, a school garden or a larger landscape.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this program will leave you inspired to create butterfly-friendly spaces that support pollinators and bring beauty right to your doorstep. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.