Each Sunday that ski trail conditions are good,  volunteer members of Friends of Crossroads loan skis or snowshoes to people who visit  the Collins Learning Center between 1 and 3 pm. Occasionally, they run out of popular sizes, but usually the volunteers can accommodate all ages.

It’s usually pretty easy to recognize the beginning skiers. Unaware of  how warm one gets from this type of exercise, beginners arrive bundled up in padded down coats and snowpants. They are practically round, sort of  like the Pillsbury Doughboy… or a winter chickadee.

I always just assumed that chickadees get fatter in winter. Most birds do. But no, just like Crossroads visitors  in their winter coats, chickadees just appear chubby – because they fluff their feather. Makes sense! They are literally wearing down coats. Researchers tell us that birds have almost twice as many feathers in summer than in winter.

Even so,  if chickadees lack the fat layer which insulates and fuels the bodies of most  other winter birds, how do they survive the long winter nights?

It turns out that each evening, they go into a state of hypothermia. During the night, their body temperatures drop about twelve degrees Fahrenheit. By turning down their body thermostats, these birds conserve fuel. Is there a sustainability lesson here?

By morning, chickadees are decidedly hungry. And fluffy. And round.

On Friday, January 14 at 10 am Crossroads will host a Lecture: Make and Take Workshop on “Seed Eating Winter Birds.” After viewing the slide show, each participant will make a very simple feeder by recycling and re-purposing an empty pop bottle. The program and the materials are free.

Our friends at Sustain Door have provided more information about the film they will be showing on Wednesday, January. 12 at 7 pm. They write:

“In Transition 1.0” describes the Transition Town initiative currently unfolding in hundreds of communities around the world.  In these communities citizens work together to make their towns more resilient in the face of today’s challenges including higher fuel prices and reliance on distant transportation, manufacturing, and agricultural systems to meet the needs of daily living. Participants show that by sourcing food and goods locally, by relearning the skills of their grandparents, and by working together as a community, they can live comfortable, prosperous, exciting lives and be more secure while doing so.  Come join us to experience this video and a glimpse of a promising future we can create.

Crossroads is a donor-supported learning preserve focused offering experience-based programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan, just east of Sturgeon Bay, is open daily from 2 – 5 pm and during scheduled activities.

Wednesday, January 12, 7:00 pm
Film:  ““In Transition 1.0″   From Oil Dependence to Local resilience.”
Sustain Door presents this film which was compiled from footage sent in by transition initiatives around the world.  Transition is a movement of communities around the world responding creatively and proactively to peak oil and climate change, seeing them as an historic opportunity to build the world anew.”Free. Collins Learning Center .

Friday, January 14, 10:00 am
Lecture: Seed Eating Winter Birds
This lecture/ workshop focuses on bird feeding. After viewing a slide show, each participant will make a very simple feeder by recycling/re-purposing an empty pop bottle. The program and the materials are free. Meet in the Collins Learning Center.

Sunday, January 16, 1:00-3:00 pm
Community Ski
Friends of Crossroads invite the community to get in touch with nature by using our skis or snowshoes. Anyone can borrow equipment between 1:00-3:00. Skis are to be returned by dusk. There is no charge for this program. Collins Learning Center.

Consequently, we are paying particular attention to our winter birds and birds are easiest to watch  when they are at the feeder.

In almost any flock of birds, some individuals are dominant – some are subordinate. The phenomenon of aggressive birds (not to be confused with angry birds) is so well-known, that the term “pecking order” has become a part of our language.

Less well known is the fact that birds high in the pecking order tend to be fatter than subordinate birds. It’s obvious how this happens. Dominant birds eat first and they take more than their shares of the fat-producing foods.

In winter, fat means survival – at least for birds. Fat insulates the bird against the cold and is the stored energy that allows a bird to ride out a storm or prolonged cold snap. Eating and storing fat greatly increases avian survival.

But fat has a drawback – even for a wintering bird. A pudgy bird is not as agile or fast as a slender one. Admittedly, fat deposits tend to build up in areas of a bird’s body which are not directly involved in flight, but still, fat can… well, weigh down a high-ranking bird – and that can often be a serious downfall.

One way for humans to improve their fitness and agility is to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski. Crossroads recently received a generous grant from Ministry Door County  Medical Center for trail maintenance. When snow is adequate, Crossroads trails are groomed. Trails are designated for either walking or skiing (both classical and skate skiing).

On Sunday afternoons, the Friends of Crossroads sponsor a Community Ski. They will lend skis to anyone who comes to the door between 1 – 3 pm on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge. They do happily accept donations so they can replace damaged equipment and purchase equipment in popular sizes. They accept used skis as well if they have Salomon bindings.

Our program this week  is sponsored by Sustain Door, Inc. They will present the film “In Transition 1.0″  From Oil Dependence to Local resilience.” Promotional materials explain, “The video was compiled from footage sent in by transition initiatives around the world. Transition Towns is a movement of communities around the world responding creatively and proactively to peak oil and climate change, seeing them as an historic opportunity to build the world anew.”

Sunday, January 9, 1:00 – 3:00
Community Ski

Friends of Crossroads invite the community to get in touch with nature by using our skis or snowshoes. Anyone can borrow equipment between 1:00-3:00. Skis are to be returned by dusk. There is no charge for this program.

Monday, January 10, 1:00
Nature Hike: Visit to the Evergreen Forest

Join the naturalist on the designate hiking trail in a visit to our spruce and pine plantations and cedars, and a tiny remnant of boreal forest Meet at the Collins Learning Center. About an hour.

Wednesday, January 12, 7:00 PM
Film: “In Transition 1.0″ From Oil Dependence to Local resilience.”
Sustain Door presents this film which  was compiled from footage sent in by transition initiatives around the world. Transition Towns is a movement of communities around the world responding creatively and proactively to peak oil and climate change, seeing them as an historic opportunity to build the world anew.” Free. Collins Learning Center.