Interpretive Program

Join arborist Donna Danielson and learn how to identify several common trees of the park as well as learn their life cycles and shared history with humans. This will be about a ½-mile walk.  Donna is retired from The Morton Arboretum where she did insect and disease research, worked in the Plant Clinic, and taught […]

Beautiful, diverse, and ancient, ferns reproduce in a mysterious alteration of life forms. Join Master Naturalist and horticulturist Holly Smith as she delves into fern evolution, life cycle, reproduction, diversity, and identification. This program is geared to adult participants. Meets at the Nature Center (Lot 1), with time at the end to look at some […]

Head out with the park naturalists and try your hand at Nature journaling. This is an activity designed for everyone, no matter your skill level. What nature journaling is: What nature journaling is not: Come with an open mind, an adventurous heart and a willingness to connect with nature! Materials provided, or bring your own. […]

This is a drop-in interpretive program. Get ready to fold and fly! Explore the four different major wing shapes of birds and how they affect their flight by crafting and launching paper airplanes. See flight adaptations in action with a visit to the bird feeders and bird garden outside Newport’s Nature Center and learn about […]

Join the park naturalist on this night hike. We’ll let our eyes adjust to the moonlight and hike the 1.75-mile Monarch Trail, watching and listening for the sights and sounds of the night. If needed, bring a flashlight or head lamp with a red lens. Meet at Lot 1. In case of rain, program will be cancelled. […]

Capture the different shapes and sizes of Newport’s leaves through the magic of cyanotype printing! Experiment creating sun prints using leaves collected from around the park while learning how and why trees change colors in the fall. Meet outside the park office, Lot 1. All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is […]