Plants shape the character of Door County. From white cedars clinging to the Niagara Escarpment and sugar maples shading forest trails to native wildflowers brightening meadows and wetlands, plants provide food, shelter, beauty, and the foundation for every ecosystem. This week’s Summer at Crossroads theme, Plants, invites visitors to discover the remarkable lives of plants and the important role native species have played in Door County’s natural history.

The week begins with a Tale. At 2 pm on Monday, August 10, enjoy “Plants Can’t Sit Still,” written by Rebecca E. Hirsch and illustrated by Mia Posada read aloud. This engaging story reveals the surprising ways plants move, from sunflowers tracking the sun to seeds traveling on the wind, water, and wildlife. Through colorful illustrations and fascinating examples, readers will discover that plants are far more active than they might appear. For those unable to attend Story Time, the book will also be featured on our Trail Tales storybook walk all week long beginning at the West Trailhead.

At 1 pm on Tuesday, August 11, Journeys with Joan will explore Finding Fossils. Naturalist Joan Wilkie will guide participants in discovering how ancient plants and animals from a long-vanished sea became the fossils we find throughout Door County today. As participants learn about life hundreds of millions of years ago, they will gain a deeper appreciation for the historic landscapes that came before.

On Wednesday, August 12, at 1:30 pm, participants in Wandering Wednesday will join a naturalist-led hike focused on the plants that make Crossroads unique. August is an excellent time to observe native wildflowers, woodland plants, and wetland vegetation. Along the trail, hikers may encounter species such as goldenrod, asters, jewelweed, and native grasses while learning how these plants support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Participants will also explore how Door County’s soils, geology, and proximity to both Green Bay and Lake Michigan create conditions that support a rich diversity of plant life.

The week concludes with a special Thursday Talk at 2 pm on August 13. Dina Boettcher and Ruth Wasson of the Door County Master Gardeners Association will present Heritage Garden, a guided tour and discussion of the Heritage Garden at Heritage Village at Big Creek. Participants will discover how plants were traditionally grown and used by early Door County settlers for food, medicine, and household purposes. The program will highlight heritage plant varieties, period-inspired garden design, and the practical ways families worked with the land and seasons to sustain themselves. Through storytelling, gardening knowledge, and hands-on observation, visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for how plants connect history, culture, and sustainability.

Throughout the week—and all summer long—visitors can also enjoy Tinkers, our self-led, hands-on activities designed for curious minds. Guests can investigate seeds, leaves, flowers, and plant adaptations while exploring the many ways plants grow, reproduce, and interact with the world around them.

Plants may seem rooted in place, but they are dynamic and essential members of every ecosystem. They capture sunlight, produce oxygen, stabilize soil, provide habitat, and nourish countless forms of life. In Door County, native plants help define the peninsula’s distinctive landscapes, from shoreline bluffs and cedar forests to wetlands and prairies. By learning more about the plants that surround us, we gain a deeper understanding of the natural communities that make Door County such a special place.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can offer free programming for all ages, and our trails are open all day, every day, free of charge.

Monday, August 10

2:00 pm Tale: “Plants Can’t Sit Still”

Join us as our weekly story, Plants Can’t Sit Still written by Rebecca E. Hirsch and illustrated by Mia Posada, is read aloud.

You might be surprised by all ways plants can move. Plants might not pick up their roots and walk away, but they don’t sit still! Discover the many ways plants (and their seeds) move. Whether it’s a sunflower, a Venus flytrap, or an exotic plant like an exploding cucumber, this fascinating picture book shows just how excitingly active plants really are. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. 

Tuesday, August 11

1:00 pm Journeys with Joan – Finding Fossils

Join our naturalist, Joan Wilkie, for free family-oriented activities exploring nature!

Discover how plants and animals from an ancient sea transformed into the fossils we find at Crossroads. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to donors like you! Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. 

Wednesday, August 12

1:30 pm Wandering Wednesday

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

Thursday, August 13

2:00 pm Talk: Heritage Garden

Step back in time and discover how gardens once shaped daily life in Door County! Join Dina Boettcher and Ruth Wasson of the Door County Master Gardeners Association for a guided tour and discussion of the Heritage Garden at Heritage Village at Big Creek, part of the Door County Historical Foundation.

This special program will explore how plants were traditionally grown and used for food, medicine, and household purposes, offering insight into the practical and cultural importance of historic gardening practices. Dina and Ruth will highlight heritage plant varieties, period?inspired garden design, and the ways early settlers worked in harmony with the land and seasons.

Through storytelling, plant knowledge, and hands?on observation, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for how gardens connect history, culture, and sustainability. Whether you’re interested in gardening, local history, or both, this program brings the past to life through the plants that sustained it.

Join us for a stroll through history and discover how heritage gardens preserve stories, skills, and seeds for future generations. Meet at Heritage Garden at Heritage Village (across from the Collins Learning Center), 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.