Interpretive Program

Join the park naturalist and learn all about the Monarch Butterfly's amazing life cycle, including migration. She will also talk about Newport's Monarch monitoring site, and how you can monitor your own milkweed or pollinator garden. Meets in the Nature Center, Lot 1. All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required […]

Dave LaLuzerne was born with a green spark in his heart. (Interestingly, his last name is the French word for alfalfa.) Nurtured through pharmacy school and many years as an herbal pharmacist in his own herb shop, he now finds his passion is educating people about the numerous and wondrous ways to use herbs for […]

In celebration of Moth Week, get your hands dirty gardening for our mysterious nocturnal pollinators. Learn about creating and protecting moth habitats and why nocturnal pollinators require dark skies while making moth-friendly seedballs. Meet in the Nature Center, Lot 1. All programs are free, but a state park admission sticker is required on all vehicles. […]

Discover what moths are fluttering under Newport’s night skies! Aided by a black light and a white sheet, we will get an up-close look of the exquisite beauty and diversity of moths found in Door County. Park naturalists will share more about what makes moths so magnificent, and the importance of reducing light pollution so […]

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. […]

Join Brian Forest for an engaging exploration of the rocks beneath our feet and the forces that shaped the landscape of Door County. We’ll discuss the three basic rock types, how they form, and what they reveal about the ancient environments in which they were created. Discussion will also examine the county’s unique hydrogeology and […]

Insects are an underappreciated, yet a very important part of our ecosystem.  Retired arborist and educator Donna Danielson will help you learn more about the importance of insects, their life cycles, anatomy, and more. We will use microscopes and magnifiers to look at them up close.  Don't worry, they will all be dead when we […]

Combine Newport’s beauty with the joy of painting to create a plein air masterpiece! Join the naturalists and talented volunteers to explore outdoor painting techniques using watercolors. Artists of all skill levels are welcome. Bring your own art supplies or supplies will be provided. Look for the table set up in the picnic area, Lot […]

Explore, rediscover and connect with the plants of Newport guided by the book, ‘Let’s Botanize!’. Join the park naturalist on an exploratory walk as we follow a selection of prompts ranging from comparing leaf vein patterns to hunting for lichens. Come with an open mind and a curious spirit as we spend time growing our […]

This is a drop-in interpretive program. Grab a magnifying glass and start your search! Freely explore the miniature world beneath your feet or complete a family-friendly scavenger hunt for tiny treasures in the woods and along the beach. No need to bring anything but your sense of adventure! Look for a table in the picnic […]

From shimmering fish scales to vivid bird feathers, structural colors change how we see the world around us. Learn how structural colors work and common examples at Newport while experimenting with interference acrylic paints. There will be a washable paint option for younger artists. Located in the Nature Center, Lot 1. All programs are free, […]

This is a drop-in interpretive program. Have you ever looked at the clear waters of Lake Michigan and thought you could be somewhere tropical? Invasive mussels around the size of your fingernail are partly responsible for the lake’s color shift. Stop by to learn about the difference between native and invasive freshwater mussels and try […]