Wild Ones at Crossroads on May 17

On May 17 at 4 pm, Wild Ones of Door County will host a program called “Raising and Protecting Larvae to Support the Monarch Butterfly Population” at Crossroads at Big Creek. The guest speaker is naturalist Karen Newbern. She will discuss the purpose and results of raising monarchs and share techniques and precautions. This program is free and open to the public.

Thanks to generations of Door County kindergarten children (who enthusiastically plant Common Milkweed by blowing seeds from their pointed pods each fall), Crossroads has many milkweed plants at their Astronomy Campus. Unfortunately, there’s also litter. On May 16, 9 am – 12 pm, members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society have planned a clean-up day and they invite volunteers from the community to help. Work to be done includes raking gravel from the lawn around the new parking lot, weeding, repairing red solar lights at the entrance, completing the installation of the artwork and plaque at the entrance, sanding and painting. The Astronomy Campus is located at 2200 Utah St. at the Cove Road intersection. Turn onto the aptly named Stargazer Trail to reach the observatory grounds.

Also on May 16 at 8 pm, DPAS will open the freshly cleaned Astronomy Campus for an evening of Night Sky Viewing. If skies are clear, the gates open at 8 pm and all are welcome. If in doubt about weather conditions, check crossroadsatbigcreek.org for a cancellation notice.

On May 17 at 1 pm, join the naturalist for a one-hour ramble through the hemlock/cedar forest at the Ida Bay Preserve in search of spring wildflowers. Meet at Crossroads at 12:45 pm or at the Zenith Street Entrance at 1 pm.

Crossroads, located at 2041 Michigan Street in Sturgeon Bay, is open 2 – 4:30 pm daily and during scheduled activities. Trails are open to the public free of charge.