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Newport Wilderness Society
The Friends Group of Newport State Park
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Newport Wilderness Society
The Friends Group of Newport State Park
  • Search
  • Visit the Park
    • Activities and Events
    • Resources for Your Visit
    • Dark Sky Viewing
    • History of Newport
  • News
    • All News
      • News from the Naturalist
      • News from the NWS Board
      • Visitor View
    • Subscribe to our Newsletter
    • Archived Newsletters
  • Support Us
    • Join/Renew Membership
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Volunteer
    • Newport Merchandise
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Board of Directors
    • Business Members
    • Reports & Publications
Home » Archived Newsletters

Archived Newsletters

Newport Wilderness Society publishes a (usually) monthly email newsletter, the North Star News. To receive it in your inbox, subscribe here.


  • April 2021 North Star News
  • March 2021 North Star News
  • Jan/Feb 2021 North Star News
  • Oct/Nov 2020 North Star News
  • September 2020 North Star News
  • July 2020 North Star News
  • June 2020 North Star News
  • May 2020 North Star News
  • April 2020 North Star News
  • Feb/March 2020 North Star News
  • Dec 2019/Jan 2020 North Star News
  • November 2019 North Star News
  • September 2019 North Star News
  • August 2019 North Star News
  • July 2019 North Star News
  • June 2019 North Star News
  • May 2019 North Star News
  • April 2019 North Star News
  • Summer 2018 Trillium
  • Spring 2018 Trillium
  • Winter 2018 Trillium
  • Fall 2017 Trillium
  • Summer 2017 Trillium
  • Spring 2017 Trillium
  • Winter 2017 Trillium

Contact the Park

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

Office Phone: (920) 854-2500

Newport Wilderness Society

6 hours ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Soon, a carpet of trillium will herald in spring with its much awaited return. Here’s an interesting article about this beautiful spring wildflower.Not to get all sciency on you this beautiful Friday, but senior fellow Dr. Stan Temple has gripping words to describe the crucial role (and essential drama) of annual trillium in Wisconsin’s woods. Since its time is now, we had to share: Among our showiest spring ephemerals (wildflowers that bloom briefly in early spring) are Wisconsin’s 4 species of trilliums. The large-flowered trillium (in the photo) grows on rich soil under a canopy of deciduous trees where they can be exposed briefly to early spring sunlight before the canopy trees leaf out. Their blooming is critically timed to take advantage of the brief sunny interval between when soil temperatures warm enough for the plants to break winter dormancy and when the tree canopy creates dense shade on the forest floor. The short-lived flowers are pollinated by early emerging insects such as bumblebees attracted to the plant’s pollen rather than nectar. After producing seed and storing enough solar energy as food for next year, the leaves wither, leaving only the plant’s underground rhizomes. The seeds are dispersed by ants in late summer and germinate only after experiencing winter chilling followed by a warm period, initially producing only a root. It has to experience another winter chilling before a seedling emerges from the soil.#PhenologyFriday ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 days ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Newport Wilderness Society is proud to be a supporter of the 2021 Every Day is Earth Day celebration coming up on April 22, 24, and 25. More info on Door County events is here: kresspavilion.org/ededfest/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

1 week ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Street and other outdoor lighting strategies that work best to protect our beautiful dark sky. Courtesy: International Dark-Sky Association. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

1 week ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Do you leave outdoor lights on? Are they bright white LED’s? Are they old fixtures lighting up the sky instead of IDA approved downlighting? Are they on unnecessarily? Most people aren’t aware that Newport has to take sky meter readings throughout the park a minimum of twice a year in compliance with our dark sky designation. Lights from surrounding areas do affect these readings (Sister Bay’s lit up buildings and street lights from their most recent road project are a prime example). Every light matters, especially if you live in a dark sky area.It may seem harmless, but light pollution has far-reaching consequences that are harmful to all living things. Learn more at www.darksky.org/. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

1 week ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Here you go, crafty star gazers! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

1 week ago

Newport Wilderness Society
The April edition of the North Star News, our e-newsletter, is published. Lots of great content, including what to look for in the April night sky! mailchi.mp/friendsofnewport.org/north-star-news-april-2021 ... See MoreSee Less

North Star News - April 2021

mailchi.mp

Hello Newport Wilderness Society! It’s been a pleasure getting to know and working with the board and all the partners and volunteers since I joined the DNR in November of 2020. I look forward to meeting everyone outside of this temporary virtual world and seeing more than the upper half of everyo...
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Newport Wilderness Society

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Perfect Spring day at Newport today. Tomorrow looks pretty good too! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
We are really excited to let you know that Kick Ash Door County is roasting a new coffee, Dark Sky Roast, and that 100% of the profits from the sale of these beans will go to support the work of Newport Wilderness Society at the park. How cool is that? You can purchase Dark Sky Roast at Kick Ash Coffee in Ellison Bay (conveniently located on your way to the park!) or online (www.kickashproducts.com/shop).Many, many thanks to Carol Fitzgerald Ash for her amazing and generous support of NWS. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Though we're currently not doing any programs, Newport is still a great place to view the depths of our universe on a dark night. You can find more information about our dark sky park at friendsofnewport.org. Check out IDA's site about why dark skies are important, good lighting practices and what you can do to help.idsw.darksky.org/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=34ccf996-b071-42dc-aba1-26216b17deb1 ... See MoreSee Less

Home | International Dark Sky Week

idsw.darksky.org

It may seem harmless, but light pollution has far-reaching consequences that are harmful to all living things. Effective outdoor lighting reduces light pollution, leading to a better quality of life for all. The dark sky movement is working to bring better lighting to communities around the world so...
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Newport Wilderness Society

3 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that native plant sales are blooming across the state through April. By planting native plants, you can support the entire ecosystem by providing food for insects, birds, small mammals and other wildlife.Check the link below:dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants.html ... See MoreSee Less

Plant native plants to help nature | Wisconsin DNR

dnr.wisconsin.gov

Plant native plants to help nature American goldfinch on native sunflower. Native plants support the entire food web by providing food for insects, birds, bats, small mammals and other wildlife. This is particularly important now that scientists are documenting global declines in insect populations....
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Newport Wilderness Society

1 month ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Check out this interactive page and brush up on your bird songs. Spring will come eventually! ... See MoreSee Less

Minnesota Bird Songs | Minnesota Conservation Volunteer

www.dnr.state.mn.us

This interactive illustration will help users identify and listen to 24 birds common to Minnesota.
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Newport Wilderness Society

1 month ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Are you interested in rare native plants? Here's an opportunity to learn about training to become a rare plant monitor, joining with others in the state to identify and protect rare native species. wiatri.net/inventory/rareplants/volunteer/about.cfm ... See MoreSee Less

About volunteering - Rare Plant Monitoring Program

wiatri.net

To participate in the Rare Plant Monitoring Program you must attend one of the formal training sessions normally held each spring or watch a series of training videos and successfully complete a quiz on the material covered. Trained volunteers have access to precise information on rare plant locatio...
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Newport Wilderness Society

1 month ago

Newport Wilderness Society
The March North Star News, the NWS newsletter, is available. Stories about our upcoming April workday, information for volunteers, a history of the Fern Trail boardwalk project, and a poem from the Poetry Trail are included. If you'd like to receive it directly, subscribe here: friendsofnewport.org/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/ ... See MoreSee Less

North Star News - March 2021

mailchi.mp

On Saturday, April 24th, we are planning a Spring "work day" at Newport State Park. There will be a lot of different things to do including cleaning, trail work, campsite work, gardening, or anything else you might think of that can be done.  
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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Another beautiful day of skiing in the park, brought to you by volunteer trail groomer Maury Brancamp. Thanks Maury! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society is at Newport State Park.

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Join Beth as she visits the Poetry Trail today. It’s a beautiful winters day! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society is at Newport State Park.

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Dale says the conditions are great. The Oracle knows! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society is at Newport State Park.

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Beautiful day for skiing at Newport. The trails are waiting! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Sharing a fun fact, and a reminder that summer will come.Monarch caterpillars "see" the world primarily by touch and smell--pretty amazing! #FunFactFriday#MLMP #Monarch ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
What a cold and glorious morning at Newport! Need your park sticker? Drive up window open 10-2 today. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
More great info from WGLBBO!Despite the very cold temperatures today, who has started making gardening plans? Here is a list of plants that will not only add beauty to your garden, but will also bring multiple benefits to butterflies and other pollinators! They are all native to Wisconsin and they are easy to grow. Many of these will be available at our upcoming native plant sale! ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact NWS

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

Email NWS

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