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Newport Wilderness Society
The Friends Group of Newport State Park
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Home » Newport News » Beth Bartoli: Dark Sky Interview on ‘Wisconsin Icons’
Newport News News from the Naturalist

Beth Bartoli: Dark Sky Interview on ‘Wisconsin Icons’

Newport Night Sky; © Denny Moutray
by Deb Ford|Published October 30, 2023

Park Naturalist Beth Bartoli recently spoke with Bob Dolan, host of Wisconsin Icons, about our iconic Dark Sky Park.


Top photo of the Newport Dark Sky © Denny Moutray

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Contact the Park

Newport State Park
475 County Road NP
Ellison Bay, WI 54210

Office Phone: (920) 854-2500

Newport Wilderness Society

4 hours ago

Newport Wilderness Society
If anyone has photos of Newport's amazing night sky, would you consider sharing them with the park? We're looking for some to submit with our annual report that has to be filed with DarkSky International. This report is filed in compliance with keeping our Dark Sky Park status. They will be used for the report only (unless specified otherwise) and you will get full recognition.Inquiries or photos can be sent to Beth at: beth.bartoli@wisconsin.gov. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

6 days ago

Newport Wilderness Society
So, a very exciting thing happened at our last dark sky viewing event. As folks were listening to the Erskine's talk about the cosmos and looking through our telescopes, I heard a man proclaim, "She said YES"! Unbeknownst to us, John proposed to Molly under the most beautiful Newport sky, and now, the rest is history! Read their story below, and send out a star filled, "Congratulations" to Molly and John!"John and I met on Hinged.com and went on a first date on 12/1/2022. We went out for ramen in Milwaukee, WI. We've been dating this whole time and have talked about marriage and becoming a family. I also have a 10 year old son from a previous marriage. John and I love Door County and hiking all over the beautiful state of Wisconsin. Last summer we went up to Door County twice but due to timing with work were unable to make it up to Newport state park to the dark sky area. We did hike in potawatomi, white fish dunes, peninsula state parks and cave point county park. We recently went to Sequoia national park in California and were able to see a guided nighttime tour of the stars. We vowed we'd make it to WI's only dark sky park! John planned to take me out to a romantic dinner in sister bay at the Waterfront restaurant and then we'd drive up to Newport to see the stars. A few weeks prior to our trip we discovered there was a dark sky event that Friday night as well! We were very excited to make sure and stop by the event. Unbeknownst to me, John was planning to propose and went down on one knee that night at the event! John is an arborist for the city of Milwaukee, and I am a social worker in Milwaukee. John is from Northbrook Illinois, and I am originally from Madison, WI. We loved the event and how welcoming and informative everyone was, and Door County will now always be a special place for us to come celebrate." ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

6 days ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Happy National Fossil Day! Here are some examples of some amazing fossils right here at Newport. These rocks are in the front garden by the office building, and what an amazing story they tell. Just another reason to get out and enjoy what nature has in store for you! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Now available at the park office!For the first time in 25 years, the Wisconsin State Park System has an Adventure Journal available for purchase. This journal-style guidebook is the perfect size to keep in the car to record your visits; it also makes a great gift!Features 125 properties including state parks, forests, recreation areas, trails and scenic watersIncludes a photo, a small map, four recommendations of things to do, an area to record the weather and date of visit, and space to write notes for each propertyFull color print, spiral-boundPurchase price: $15 ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

3 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Thank you, Jane Goodall. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society was attending an event.

4 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Dark Sky viewing tonight, starting at 7:30! ... See MoreSee Less
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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

4 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society

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Newport Wilderness Society is at Newport State Park.

1 month ago

Newport Wilderness Society
This great photo by Danny Kelly shows a monarch fueling up on a lone nectar source along Lynd Point. One of the super generation, it will be migrating to Mexico, following the Great Lakes migration route. Safe travels! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
And these are the four events (all free) that will be happening at day #2 of Newport Wilderness Days on Sunday, Aug 31. Please join us! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Newport Wilderness Days (an annual tradition since 1992) is this weekend at the park! Here are the four events (all free) that are happening on Saturday, Aug 30: ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
We have to cancel the Stargazing at Newport event for both Monday and Tuesday (the 25th and 26th). We are disappointed and apologize for any inconvenience. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Apologies for the late notice, but this afternoon’s Campfire/Pudgy Pie event has been cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience. ... See MoreSee Less
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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
And speaking of monarchs, this monarch mimicker hung around with us last night while at a friend’s house. We don’t see them nearly as much as their look-alike. Notice the black line on the bottom of the hind wings? Monarchs don’t have that. This is a viceroy butterfly. It mimics monarchs to show that it is unpalatable to predators. Caterpillars feed on Willows and Aspen, not milkweed. Adults prefer meadows, marshes and swamp areas with poplar, aspen and willow. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
The storms that came through yesterday have caused heavy damage to the south part of the Newport State Park. As noted on the map, all trails and campsites to the south are closed until further notice. Things are being assessed now to see how we will move forward. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society is attending an event.

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Keeping in the spirit of National Lighthouse Day, join park manager Brian Grube tomorrow, Aug. 8th, as he shares the rich history of Rock Island, home of the Pottawatomie Light House. He’ll be speaking in the Nature Center at Newport at 10 am. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

3 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society

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Newport Wilderness Society

3 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Attention all nature enthusiasts (especially master naturalists)! There are two great educational programs going on this week that you will not want to miss. Tuesday at 10 o’clock will be the secret life of ferns and Saturday at 1 o’clock will be a hands-on insect program. Both will be held in the nature center at the park. Check out our events listings for more information. ... See MoreSee Less
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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

3 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society

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Newport Wilderness Society

3 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
What a fortunate moment. I happened to see this weathered-from-life female monarch circling the swamp milkweed in the front of the office. I was able to capture the moment she laid an egg. If you look closely at the second photo, you can see the egg. The wonders of nature! ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact NWS

Newport Wilderness Society
P.O. Box 187
Ellison Bay, WI 54210

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