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Newport Wilderness Society
The Friends Group of Newport State Park
  • Search
  • Visit Newport SP
    • Activities and Events
    • Resources for Your Visit
    • Dark Sky Viewing
    • History of Newport
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    • All News
      • News from the Naturalist
      • News from the NWS Board
      • Visitor View
    • Subscribe to our Newsletter
    • Archived Newsletters
    • Time Capsule: Newport in the News
  • Support NWS
    • Join/Renew Membership
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Volunteer
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    • 2022-2023 Fern Trail Boardwalk Restoration
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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

2 days ago

Newport Wilderness Society
The park office will be open tomorrow from 10-2 if you’re looking for new stickers! ... See MoreSee Less
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Newport Wilderness Society

4 days ago

Newport Wilderness Society
As of today, Europe Bay Trail, Hotz Trail up to the old cabin site, and Monarch Trail have been groomed and cleared of trees (except for one large tree still down on the west side of Europe Bay Trail south of Europe Bay Road. East side is clear). Precipitation and temps have been all over the place, so conditions will change day to day. ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

1 week ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Thanks to all the hardy folks that came out for the first day hike today. NWS volunteers put together a wonderful event! It was cold but beautiful in the woods, and the fires were a welcoming site, along with enjoying hot cocoa and cookies. If anyone happened to take any pictures today, please share! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Monarch trail was groomed today for XC skiing. Thank you, Maury Brancamp, who volunteers his time to take care of our trails! ... See MoreSee Less
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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society

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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

2 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society

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Newport Wilderness Society

3 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXCITING SUMMER ADVENTURE?Peninsula, Newport, and Rock Island State Parks are hiring seasonal positions for this coming summer! Apply now to become a Park Ranger, Park Tech, Visitor Services Associate, or Natural Resource Educator (affordable housing available). Check out the links below! BEAT THE APPLICATION DEADLINE OF JANUARY 20TH.wj.wi.gov/19585 (for 3 LTE Natural Resources Educator positions)wj.wi.gov/19554 (for LTE Park Rangers, Visitor Services Associates, Park Technicians) ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society updated their status.

3 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society

This content isn't available right now

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Newport Wilderness Society

4 weeks ago

Newport Wilderness Society
As we close out another year, we want to take this time to remind others of what exactly NWS does. Our love for Newport State Park drives all the ways we show our support. To all of you who are members of Newport Wilderness Society, we thank you for your trust and never-ending support. And if you are not member, consider joining and/or financially supporting this dynamic group. Check out this link for a recap of all NWS does. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

2025 NWS Recap and Annual Appeal

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Become a supporting member of Newport Wilderness Society or renew your membership for 2026. It is easy and secure to join or renew your NWS membership on our website. Follow this link:
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Newport Wilderness Society

1 month ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Don't forget to visit the park office tomorrow, Dec. 6th or next Saturday, Dec. 13th for their Holiday Open House. Enjoy some hot cider and cookies as you check out the great merchandise. There's lots to choose from, whether you are shopping for yourself or others. There are a nice selection of books and great stocking stuffers too. An annual state park sticker with the new WI State Park Adventure Journal makes the best gift of all! Open from 10-2. (Sorry, we are not able to ship things.) ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Though the park planned to have the office open tomorrow, they are having HVAC issues and there is no heat in the office building so it will be closed. They’re working on getting it fixed so we’ll keep you posted about December. ... See MoreSee Less
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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
And now, the rest of the monarch story. If you’ve been following the story of the monarch, you know that we had a very late monarch emerge at the end of October. It would not have survived if it was set free at the park, so our good friends and volunteers Andy and Cynthia took him all the way down to St. Louis. They were able to take a video of his release! Cynthia dubbed him “Ferdinand”, after Ferdinand Hotz of Newport fame. He was ready to go and seems like a strong flyer. We can only hope that he’ll make it all the way to Mexico! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Where has the season gone? Though the park is open every day, today is the last day that the office will be open on a regular basis.It will be open in November on these Saturdays from 10-4:Nov. 15, 22 and 29.It will also be open the first 2 Saturdays in December, our annual Holiday Open House Days: Dec. 6 and 13 from 10-2.So, mark your calendars to come on in for park merchandise, great books and other gift ideas, and park stickers, of course. We'll have cookies and hot cider! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
It was a beautiful day for our last hike of the season, the Halloween Nature Hike with Charlotte Lukes. We were in search of fun and spooky things, and here we are showing off dead man’s fingers. Xylaria polymorpha is a tough fungus that grows on decaying wood. Be on the lookout for it in the woods at Newport! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Monarch Story, Part 3.For all of you who have been patiently waiting:Our late-bloomer monarch made it safely to St. Louis, and when he was released, he flew right away up into a tree to get his bearings!I don't have any photos yet, but I am so happy to report such great news. Hope he's off to Mexico soon! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
Monarch story, Part 2. I knew if I freed it, the chances of this monarch surviving were about 0%. As fate would have it, I knew of some folks that were going back to St. Louis tomorrow. I asked Andy and Cynthia Orf, kind souls and NWS volunteers, if they would take him with them and release him down there. They instantly and wholeheartedly agreed, and off he went in his travel enclosure! It will at least give him a fighting chance of survival. And we're fortunate to still have some flowers blooming to send some along. Fair skies and prevailing winds to you, Newport monarch! ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

2 months ago

Newport Wilderness Society
What's wrong with this picture? Yes, it is a brand-new monarch and yes, the leaves are changing. Way too late for a monarch to be coming around.We found a caterpillar about a month ago as we were cleaning out the monarch garden. Knowing it was so late in the season and all the monarchs were long gone, we decided to take this one in to the enclosure in the Nature Center. On Oct. 27th, this male monarch eclosed. Stay tuned for the rest of the story... ... See MoreSee Less

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Newport Wilderness Society

3 months 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

3 months 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

3 months 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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Contact NWS

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

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