Happening at the Crossroads
November 20, 2006
As 2nd Grade visitors to Crossroads at Big Creek learned last week, red squirrels are busy harvesting spruce cones, “to safely gather in, ere the winter storms begin.”
On one field trip, children actually had a few cones dropped on their heads. Perhaps the squirrels chucked the cones in order drive the "intruders” from their territory or maybe one was merely busy nipping twigs. The students are convinced that the squirrel intended to hit them. But 2nd Graders are such moving targets!
For squirrels, late summer and fall is the time of gathering. Certainly, all squirrels collect food. Many species bury their finds, one nut at a time. But red squirrels create middens.
A midden is a combination of a food drier, a storage area, a dining room table and a solid waste disposal area all within a home - truly a harvest home.
Middens are damp. I had always wondered about the wisdom of storing food in a dank place like a forest floor. Turns out, this indeed is prudent. Dry cones open their scales and seeds drop out. By storing the spruce cones in only moist places, red squirrels ensure that each cone will contain a generous helping of seeds.
Squirrels also harvest mushrooms. Red squirrels collect a variety of mushroom species, some of which would be deadly to humans. They very carefully dehydrate these delicacies before storing them.
Truly industrious, red squirrels have safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin. It’s unlikely that squirrels grasp the concept of Thanksgiving, but the rest of us here at Crossroads are well aware that we have been blessed and we are very thankful.
We are thankful to the Friends of Crossroads, the Door County Historical Society, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society, the Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club and Master Gardeners, Wild Ones, Scout Troop 1022, Door County Fish and Game Club, Door Property Owners, and the Noon Rotary Environmental Committee. We are also grateful to the City of Sturgeon Bay and to Door County.
We are grateful to be associated with The Ridges, The Land Trust, The Clearing, and The Nature Conservancy. We are so thankful to teachers and parents (and grandparents), chaperons and youth group leaders from eleven area schools for their efforts to see that “ no child is left inside.”
We thank the researchers who have used the Crossroads facilities to improve water quality in the region.
And, we are especially grateful to all who serve on committees and the amazing Directors who make up the Crossroads Board. We are thankful to each and every donor, to foundations and organizations for grants, to guest speakers, and to those who organize programs and events.
We are grateful to the media…. the radio stations, magazines, newspapers and e-publications for keeping the community informed of our activities. And for the hikers and dog walkers who keep our trails clean.
The day after Thanksgiving last year, artist Patty Clark began work on the Wisconsin Wildlife Exhibit in the lower level of the Collins Learning Center. The mounts were donated by Joel and Jan McOlash. We are so thankful for this addition to Crossroads and love to share the exhibit.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a mission-driven,
donor-support learning preserve focusing on science, history and the environment. Naturalist programs and lecture
are free unless otherwise noted. The trails of Crossroads are free and open to the public. Pets (on leash and under
control) are permitted but owners are encouraged to help keep the trails clean. The Collins Learning Center is
open Monday, Thursday and Sunday, 1:30 - 5:00, and Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11:00 - 3:00 and during scheduled
events. Crossroads at Big Creek is located at the intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan Street in Sturgeon
Bay. For more information, call 920.746.5895.
