This year,we hope to develop management plans for the Ida Bay Preserve and the Big Creek Cove property and this winter, we will also be setting our priorities in continuing the projects set forth in the Crossroads at Big Creek Master Plan.

Obviously, we will removing as many invasive species as possible. Invasives do not provide food and appropriate shelter for wildlife, but worse, they crowd out more desirable plants. That said, what are the desirable plants? Native plants? What is a native?

Using the Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records, which are available on line, we can determine what trees  grew at Crossroads in 1835, but  [understatement alert!] the environment has changed since European settlement.

We want to create a functional ecosystem in which  the soil is healthy and a  diversity of plants support a diversity of wildlife. Recently, we have become aware of the writings of Douglas W. Tallamy. In his book Bringing Nature Home, Tallamy explained, “…most insect herbivores can only eat plants with which they share an evolutionary history” and   “our native insects will not be able to survive on alien plant species.”

“If our native insect fauna cannot, or will not, use alien plants for food, then insect populations in areas with many alien plants will be smaller than insect populations in areas with all natives. This may sound like a gardener’s dream: a land with no insects! But so many animals depend partially or entirely on insect protein for food, a land without insects is a land without most forms of higher life.

“Even the most incorrigible antienvironmentalist would be hard pressed to make an attractive case for such sterility. Pure anthropocentrists should be alarmed as well, since the terrestrial ecosystems on which we humans all depend for our own continued existence would cease to function without our six-legged friends.”

Put simply: no caterpillars-no baby birds. No insects-no wildlife.

We at Crossroads will not be able to save the world, but we will be able to do research which will help us understand plant/insect relationships and we can begin—knowing full well it will take many years.—to  model responsible land stewardship.

As we select which  trees, shrubs, and flowers to add to our land, we will we look plants that are not just attractive and suitable for the habitat conditions, but specifically  for productive plants…for species which will support the food web.

We aren’t the only ones planning what to plant. Gardeners are notorious for spending their winters planning for the growing season. Those seed catalogs will show up in the mail any day now. But the members of the Door County Master Gardeners do not wait for the onslaught of catalogs. This group begins its lecture series at Crossroads with a with “What’s New for 2015.” Guest speaker Zori Zawojski of Sunnypoint Gardens will discuss what’s new and exciting for home gardeners in the coming year. Even those who do not plant flowers, but who are suffering from color deprivation, will enjoy her glorious slides of the flowers and foliage.  Refreshments will be served. The program is free and open to the public.

Lots of people enjoyed the trails at Crossroads during the Christmas week, but not on borrowed skis. Or snowshoes. But the green grass was pretty. As soon as we receive enough snowfall to create a base, the expanded Ski- For- Free program will get underway. Volunteers from the Door County Silent Sports Alliance will team with Friends of Crossroads to help visitors of all ages to select and put on winter sports equipment. The loaner  skis and snowshoes  must be used at Crossroads. The equipment loan program will run Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00-3:30 when snow conditions are adequate and when temperatures are above -13degrees F. This year, the skis and snowshoes are stored in the lower level of the Collins Learning Center.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor supported (thank you  2014 donors!) preserve, welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and then environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, is open daily 2:00-4:30 and during scheduled activities. Trails are free and open to the public. Ski trails are reserved for skiing only. Bikers, hikers, and pet walkers should use designated hiking trails. Snow shoes may be used anywhere…except the Ski Trails.

Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports will loan ski and snow shoe equipment free of charge over the holiday week. Equipment must be used at Crossroads. Come to the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center.