Birds are no longer singing from the treetops, no longer proclaiming their presence and territory because their breeding season is over. Now, it’s the deer that are beginning to announce their presence to pre-register their territories.

Whitetail deer do not sing, but rather, communicate with odors. Deer have odor-producing glands on their foreheads… on their legs… near their ankles and between the the toes of their hooves. They also produce message-carrying urine.

All year long, but especially as their antlers are developing, bucks rub their heads on slender trees, usually pine or cedar with fragrant bark. Sometimes bucks strip the bark off the trees. In doing so, they leave messages for other deer.

This time of year, bucks start pawing the soil, making rather significant depressions in the forest floor. Then, they urinate or defecate in these “sign post” areas. The secretions from their feet combined with their potent urine, give off scents that are strong enough for even humans to detect. Other deer do more than just notice the odor.

The secretions and urine are filled with hormones and pheromones. Other bucks (and also does) often check the sign posts of others deer. From the scents, they can determine the gender, the approximate age, the health and the strength of the deer which made the mark. I like to think of this as pre-registering for the rut. By the time the breeding season starts in earnest, all of the deer in the area are well aware of the strengths and ambitions of all of the other deer. The rut is coming soon and bucks are signing up.

I mention all of this because we have several upcoming events at Crossroads that will also require pre-registration. During the final weekend of October, which is Fall Break for Wisconsin schools, Crossroads will offer two of our Cross-Generational Classes because:

• many youth prefer learning through “experience-based” activities,
• adults are willing to bring young people to educational events and
• learning together provides the highest level of “quality time” between a child and an adult.

Our cross-generational programming presents a genuine opportunity for meaningful learning.

On Friday, October 28, at 1:30 we offer a Photography Class: “Digital Nature.” Instructor, Stephen Kastner will show participants how to capture images of nature using digital photography and how to share the images using the Internet. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cameras. Kastner studied photography at the University of Illinois. In the 1980s he worked as a professional photojournalist for the New York Times papers in Florida and was sent on assignment to Cuba. In the mid 90s he made the leap to digital photography and in 2006 he expanded to “moving pictures,” working as a filmmaker while on a 6-month assignment in China. For the past 10 years he has been the editor and publisher of DoorCountyStyle.com where many of his photos are seen.

The “Trolley to The Escarpment” program is offered on Saturday, October 29, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Pairs of learners will travel by Door County Trolley from Crossroads to scenic sites in Northern Door County to learn some of the natural and cultural history of the Niagara Escarpment.

Cross-Gen classes are free, but pre-registration is required. And most importantly, one adult and one child (most appropriate for students aged 7-13) must come to learn together. For more information, or to sign up for a class, call Crossroads at 920.746.5895, leaving the names of the adult and youth, your daytime telephone number and the age of the young person. Space is limited, but if fewer than 5 pairs enroll, the class will be canceled.

Finally, on Saturday, November 19, starting at 1 pm, the Door County Historical Society will present a Benefit Antique and Collectibles Appraisal Event featuring Mark Moran of Iola, Wisconsin. Formerly senior editor of Antiques and Collectibles Books for Krause Publications, Mark has also been a contributing editor for Antique Trader magazine. Moran has served as editor of Antique Review East magazine. He has also been a guest expert on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow. He is the author or co-author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, including the 800-page annual Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles, now in its 45th edition.

This will be an entertaining three-hour show, divided into one-hour segments. A $3 admission fee will enable audience members to watch the proceedings. Those wanting to have their antique appraised will pay a $15 fee which covers the appraisal and a seat for the show. Proceeds from this event will be designated for the long term maintenance fund of The Historical Village at the Crossroads. Application forms, including lists of excluded objects are available by calling or stopping by Crossroads. Appraisals are limited to the first 40 applicants (first come, first served) with one object per person. Call 920.746.5895 for application forms.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported learning preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan Street just east of Sturgeon Bay, is open 2:00-5:00 daily and during scheduled events.

Sunday,October 23, 1:00
Green and Gold Week
Enjoy the Green and Gold in nature, hiking in the forests and fields of Crossroads for about an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Monday, October 24, 8:30
Buckthorn Party
Unless hard frost has ended the growing season, volunteers will be out in the forest pulling, cutting and treating these invasive species. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Wear long sleeves, long pants and work gloves.

Clark Lake Phragmites Workday:
For the 4th year now, the Clark Lake Association will be treating phragmites on the shoreline. We are still in need of help on Saturday September 10! Lunch will be provided. Meet at Schauer Park at 8 am. Contact Marne Kaeske for more information and sign-up by Thursday  September 8: 920.839.2802

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Phragmites at North Bay:
TNC is looking for help in treating phragmites on North Bay on September 6, 7, 9, 14 and 15. Meet at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall and then head to corner of Hwy Q and North Bay Drive. Contact Sam Lindquist for the time to meet: slindquist@tnc.org.

Buckthorn on Whitefish Dunes Creek:
Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) international students will be working at Whitefish Dunes State Park to curb the buckthorn that is expanding around Whitefish Creek. Come and join us Wednesday, September 14 from 5 – 7 pm. Meet at the gated parking lot on Cty WD. Snacks to follow! Contact Marne for more info: marne@ridgessanctuary.org

Barberry Pirates:
The Ridges Sanctuary’s weed crew meets every Tuesday morning at 9 am. In the next coming weeks we will be hiking out to Pickerel Pond to treat phragmites. Please, let us know if you would like to be added to our e-mail list to be informed about our weekly plans for where and when to meet and what to be prepared for. Pirate appropriate snacks! Contact Marne: marne@ridgessanctuary.org

Bjorklunden Phragmites:
If you have a few hours and are interested in helping us bundle phragmites at Bjorklunden, give us a jingle: Call Marne at 920.839.2802

Time to put on the flannels, get outside and go after invasive shrubs like buckthorn, exotic bush honeysuckle, japanese barberry and autumn olive. There will be one more DCIST work party this month taking place at the new Kreuter Preserve in southern Door (see calendar below). This is an excellent opportunity to learn how to properly identify and control woody invasives – not to mention the good work you will be doing to help restore some breathtaking Lake Michigan shoreline!

Scotch Pine

And don’t forget to cut yourself an invasive scotch pine for a holiday tree, wreaths and boughs. Scotch pine are weedy and aggressive, crowding out native pines while sometimes helping to harbor and spread pine disease. Unlike our native white and red pines, the habitat value of scotch pine is limited and its wood has little commercial value. The good news is scotch pine is just about the easiest non-native plant to remove – just cut it off low enough (leave no green growth) and no herbicide is necessary.

Wisconsin’s DNR provides four new online videos that can help landowners and others identify and control three of Wisconsin’s most common and problematic invasive plants. The videos, all of which are under 3 minutes in length, can be found on the Take Action on Invasive Species Webpage.

In addition to a general video, 3 other videos focus on buckthorn, garlic mustard, and honeysuckle – invasives that are particularly problematic in Wisconsin. These invasive plants compete for water and nutrients with trees and native plants, often crowding out desirable growth and negatively affecting wildlife. The videos help viewers identify the invasives and demonstrate the safe use of herbicides to rid an area of the invasive plants.

A big thanks… goes out to all of you who, through your hard work controlling invasives and diligent record keeping, have helped DCIST to successfully match our 2008-2009 state grant funding. This grant cycle is coming to end and we will be able to close yet another successful chapter. Thank you for ALL your actions and support! You Are DCIST! Your consistent efforts have helped the Door County Conservation Department receive another 2-year Aquatic Invasive Species Grant, so look forward to a continuation of activities through December 2011.

Please come to Crossroads on Monday December 14 and share some well earned Holiday cheer and camaraderie at the DCIST Holiday Social. Bring a snack or beverage to share and enjoy a Native Landscaping Presentation by expert Native Landscaper Cliff Orsted.

DCIST Events Calendar:

Monday, December 14, at 3 pm (not the usual 2 pm start!)
Natives To The Rescue! Establishing Native Plants Following Removal of Invasive Species by native landscape expert Clifford Orsted
at Crossroads At Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay

Join us for Holiday cheer and well-earned camaraderie after a busy year tackling invasives. If you feel so inclined, bring a snack, beverage or holiday treat to share. Enjoy a presentation by Cliff Orsted who will discuss enhancing biodiversity on your property and will share practical, effective strategies and considerations to guide you in successfully re-vegetating sunny, shady and wetland areas of your landscape with natives following removal of invasive species. His slide show includes fantastic Door County natives that are unknown to many of us or often overlooked. Cliff will also share his gardening history from growing up as a farm boy through the establishment of his landscape and nursery business.

Cliff Orsted operates Door Landscape & Nursery, specializing in sustainable landscaping with native plants, many of local genotype. He is also Education Chair and Membership Coordinator for the Door County Chapter of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, a national nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization (www.for-wild.org).

Thursday, December 17 (bad weather date: Friday, December 18) 1pm – 4pm
Stewardship opportunity ~ Southern Door Glossy Buckthorn Workparty:
DC Land Trust Kreuter Preserve, Lake Michigan shoreline

South Lake Michigan Drive: From Sturgeon Bay, take County U south of 42/57 to intersection of Mt. Lookout Rd (east) and County OO (west), turn left (east) on Mt. Lookout, drive to S. Lake Michigan Dr, turn left, and meet at the parking area in the open field.

Learn how to ID and treat woody invasives. Join the Door Stewardship Alliance and DCIST to tackle glossy buckthorn and some shoreline exotic bush honeysuckle on the new Kreuter Preserve located on S. Lake Michigan Drive. This is a golden opportunity to get to visit and help start the restoration process at one of the Door County Land Trust’s premiere properties. DCIST will provide the necessary tools, including the Shrub Grubber, a new shrub removal shovel. This new device is still in the testing phase. We are seeking user feedback. . . come and give it a whirl.

Dress for the weather, wear gloves, hats and sturdy shoes/boots. Questions? Contact Bob Bultman 920.421.2283.

Volunteerism, donations and grant dollars sustain the DCIST effort. DCIST generally meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2pm. To make a donation, set up a training session for your association or group, inquire about our Equipment Loan Program, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact the coordinator: dcist1@gmail.com or phone 920.746.5955. Please visit the Door County Invasive Species Team Website for an ongoing schedule of events.