The signs of fall are already beginning to appear across Door County. Monarch butterflies are gathering along the Lake Michigan shoreline before making their journey south. Trees are quietly storing nutrients and energy in preparation for winter, even while their leaves remain green. Bats are feeding heavily before migrating or settling into winter hibernation sites. For those who take the time to look, autumn's transition is well underway.
At Crossroads at Big Creek, many of this month's programs connect directly to these seasonal changes and the natural rhythms that shape life in Door County.
The week begins on Wednesday, September 16, with a unique opportunity to explore a hidden world beneath the Great Lakes. Crossroads will livestream freshwater filmmakers and explorers Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert (filmmakers of All Too Clear) as they partner with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Great Lakes Now for the first-ever live broadcast from Middle Island Sinkhole, an underwater time capsule located 80 feet below the surface of Lake Huron.
Using a high-tech remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the team will descend into the sinkhole, following advanced divers as they collect samples from the remarkable microbial mats that thrive on the lakebed. The livestream is expected to begin at 10 a.m. CST.
During Sinkhole Odyssey | Hidden Below, visitors will journey into an underwater environment that mirrors conditions on Earth more than 2.5 billion years ago. While wildlife above ground is preparing for winter, participants will discover the fascinating ecosystems that exist deep beneath the water's surface and gain a rare glimpse into one of the Great Lakes' most extraordinary hidden wonders.
While wildlife above ground is preparing for winter, participants can discover the fascinating ecosystems that exist deep below the water's surface.
Later that afternoon, Crossroads will host Wandering Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. As monarch butterflies continue their migration and hints of fall color begin appearing along trails and wetlands, participants can join a naturalist-led walk through the preserve to observe the season unfolding in real time. Easy walking and seasonal discoveries make this outing a favorite for visitors who enjoy experiencing nature at a slower pace.
The changing season is also a reminder of the people who help care for Door County's natural spaces. On Thursday, September 17, at 5 p.m., Crossroads will celebrate the volunteers whose dedication supports environmental education, habitat restoration, and community programs throughout the year. Volunteer Appreciation Night will offer an evening of dinner, stories, and fellowship as staff and volunteers reflect on another successful season.
As gardeners know, fall is a time of abundance. While trees are busy storing resources for winter, home gardens are producing their final harvests. On Saturday, September 19, from 9 to 11 a.m., gardener and educator Stacia Dick-Schuster will present Putting Up Your Harvest, a workshop designed to help gardeners make the most of their late-season bounty. Co-sponsored by the Door County Seed Library and the Door County Master Gardeners Association, the program will explore practical ways to manage and preserve fresh produce as the growing season comes to a close.
Fall's beauty takes center stage on Monday, September 21, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., during Let's Get Artsy! Participants will create clay leaf prints inspired by the colors, textures, and shapes that make autumn in Door County so memorable. As trees begin revealing the brilliant pigments hidden beneath summer's green leaves, this hands-on art program offers a creative way to celebrate the season.
The arrival of fall also signals a new season of exploration for Crossroads' youngest naturalists. Beginning Tuesday, September 22, at 10 a.m., Junior Nature Club invites children ages 3 to 5 and their adults to discover the wonders of fall through a six-week series of nature-focused activities while exploring their senses.
Visitors can also enjoy the changing season at their own pace through Crossroads' current Trail Tales Storybook Walk. Beginning at the West Trailhead and following the Meadow Trail, families can experience Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell, beautifully illustrated by her daughter Lizzy Rockwell. As pages of the story unfold along the trail, readers are invited to share the simple pleasures of spending time outdoors. With lyrical text and vibrant illustrations that practically leap from the page, Hiking Day is a perfect companion for a fall walk, encouraging children and adults alike to slow down, explore, and appreciate the natural world around them.
According to Crossroads new Naturalist Jess Poppie, autumn offers some of the best opportunities to observe nature in action.
"Many people are noticing monarch butterflies gathering along the shoreline right now," Poppie said. "Some of these butterflies will travel more than 2,000 miles to central Mexico. At the same time, trees, bats, birds, and many other species are preparing for winter in their own ways. It's a season filled with incredible stories."
Whether you're watching butterflies fuel up for a long migration, noticing the first hints of color in the canopy, preserving the harvest from your garden, or sharing a storybook walk with family, fall offers countless opportunities to connect with nature.
All programs are held at the Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, unless otherwise noted. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can offer free programming for all ages, and our trails are open to the public all day, every day, free of charge.
Upcoming Programs
Wednesday, September 16
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Live Movie - "Sinkhole Odyssey | Hidden Below"
Join a livestreamed exploration of one of the Great Lakes’ most extraordinary underwater environments and discover a world that resembles the Earth as it was 2.5 billion years ago. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
1:30 p.m. | Wandering Wednesday
Join a naturalist-led hike through the preserve. Enjoy easy walking and seasonal discoveries during this approximately one-hour outing. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash.
Registration is not required. This program is free and open to the public. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Thursday, September 17
5:00 p.m. | Volunteer Appreciation Night
We’ve accomplished some incredible things this year, and none of it would have been possible without our amazing volunteers! To show our appreciation for your time, energy, and dedication, we’d love to celebrate with you! Are you a Crossroads volunteer? Join us for an evening of dinner, stories, and community! Please RSVP 920-746-5895. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Saturday, September 19
9:00-11:00 a.m. | Putting Up Your Harvest: Education Series
Congratulations! Your vegetable garden has given you fresh produce, but what do you do with the bounty? Stacia Dick-Schuster will explain what to do with the garden as it ripens. This workshop, co-sponsored by the Door County Seed Library and Door County Master Gardeners Association, is free and open to the public. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Monday, September 21
1:30-2:30 p.m. |Let's Get Artsy!
Create make-and-take leaf prints with clay. All materials provided - just bring your curiosity! Free and open to the public. Please register at crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/lets-get-artsy/ or call 920-746-5895. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Tuesday, September 22
10:00 a.m. | Junior Nature Club
Six-week program for ages 3-5 and their adults, learning about observing nature with their senses. Drop in. Registration is not required. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Nature Center Closure
The Collins Learning Center at Crossroads at Bigg Creek will be closed to the public this afternoon for a special event. Trails remain open all day, every day at no charge.
