NWS has long-recognized the need for improvements to Newport’s dark sky viewing area, located in the day-use venue adjacent to Lot 3. Our concerns with the current condition of the viewing area, especially when we host an educational or night sky viewing program, include: Over the past year, the NWS Long-range Planning Committee […]
Newport News
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Thanks to cooperative late-fall weather, our NWS master naturalists and volunteers have made significant progress on a new native plant garden at the entrance to Newport. A large patch of grass and weeds now supports three serviceberry trees, a variety of native grasses, some low-growing aromatic sumac, and a substantial amount of […]
Annual vehicle admission passes to Wisconsin State Parks and Forests will now be valid for 12 months from the time of purchase. (In other words, they are no longer restricted to ‘calendar year’ dating.) When you purchase a 12-month vehicle admission pass, it will be marked to indicate the month/year it […]
Perhaps you met Ken leading a Newport hike, or an interpretive program, or volunteering on one of our park work projects. His smile was infectious. His knowledge of fire safety and wilderness preparedness was a gift to so many program participants. Our sincere sympathy to Mary and the Foszcz family. Ken […]
A Special Announcement sent via email and newsletter to friends of Newport.(Edited Nov 21, 2024 to include extension of comment period by DNR.) NWS members and friends: Over the past year, the NWS Board of Directors has been developing a plan to enhance the dark sky viewing experience for visitors […]
Photo and text by Maureen Flatley, Master Naturalist As winter approaches and the temperatures gradually decline, it is time to burrow underground for this cold-blooded beauty, the American Toad. Choosing an area of soft ground, these tenacious amphibians dig backwards (using their hardened back feet) and gradually recede under the […]
During 2023 and 2024, Write On, Door County partnered with NWS to host the Four Seasons of Writing program at Newport. The goal of these free workshops was to engage people of all ages in writing about nature and the world around them. Sessions were led by Write On’s writers-in-residence Carlos Reyes […]
On September 24, 1964, our beautiful state park was formally established. It was known as Europe Bay State Park for 6 years; its name was changed to Newport State Park in August 1970. The original vision of how the park might be used, including the idea of a naturalist program, […]
NWS recently funded an upgrade to the ten stanchions located along the Poetry Trail. After 14 years of exposure to the elements, the frames in which the poems are displayed were showing their age. They have been replaced. The Poetry Trail was established at Newport during the summer of 2010, a collaborative […]
There are approximately 26 miles of wilderness, silent-sport (hiking, biking, skiing) trails at Newport. This is a significant area of public use in the park that needs to be monitored through all seasons. NWS now has a team of trail stewards who volunteer their time to keep an eye on […]
Text and photos by Deb Ford Newport has a very active bird feeding station and a newly-established songbird garden. They are located adjacent to the park office at the entrance to the park. These resources are supported and maintained by NWS volunteers and funding. We would like to purchase some additional […]
Newport State Park is not immune to the introduction and spread of invasive plant species. When invasives become established, they can quickly choke out native plant populations…out-competing them for space, sunlight and soil nutrients. Invasives are more problematic in areas of the park where humans (and wildlife) tend to travel: […]
NWS has learned of the recent passing of John C. Plume. Mr. Plume was manager of Europe Bay State Park in the late-1960’s. (Europe Bay SP was established in 1964 and became formally known as Newport State Park in 1970.) Mr. Plume’s obituary is available here. We are so very grateful […]
Information from News Release published by WI DNR on May 10, 2024 Dwarf Lake Iris (Iris lacustris) is a threatened species, preferring cool, moist, alkaline soil environments. The ditch area of Europe Bay Road is ideal for the plant due to the forest gaps and edges and presence of ditches with cool shaded areas. […]
The cloudy-plus-chance-of-rain forecast for the solar eclipse viewing event at Newport was SO wrong! We ended up with cloudless blue sky…and no one seemed to mind the slightly chilly breeze. (Which got a bit chillier as the eclipse progressed.) More than 200 people came to Newport to experience the eclipse. […]
Text by Maureen Flatley, Master NaturalistPhotos by Deb Ford A small group of volunteers (Deb Ford, Mary O’Grady, Kari Hagenow and myself) were scouting the trails of Newport State Park in search of invasive species on a cold sunny March morning. Garlic mustard and forget-me-nots were already greening up along […]
Friends groups like Newport Wilderness Society do not exist without the contributions of, well, friends. Today we want to recognize the extraordinary, ongoing support we receive from Carol and Chris Ash of Kick Ash Products in Ellison Bay. Where do we start?
A summary document prepared by the Wisconsin Policy Forum As you might imagine, this situation places increasing financial pressure on every state park property, park staff, and park-supporting friends groups like Newport Wilderness Society.
by Andy Orf President, Northern Door Astronomy Club The Great North American Total Solar Eclipse will occur April 8, 2024. A solar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. Astronomers call this an occultation – an interruption of light from a […]
If you consume fish from Wisconsin waters, you may be interested in the updated online publication of the 2024-2026 Choose Wisely booklet, which outlines guidelines for safe fish consumption. It is a publication of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Fish […]
Despite the removal of several potentially problematic snags and dying trees before construction on the Fern Trail boardwalk began, in early January a large tree fell and damaged a boardwalk section. The downed tree was removed quickly. Thirteen NWS volunteers took advantage of favorable weather in February to repair the […]
Our thanks to everyone who submitted feedback (Aug/Sept 2023) to the DNR regarding the Master Plan variance for the proposed development of horse trails in Newport State Park. (Backstory and NWS opinion on this issue here.) Synopsis of DNR Decision (Jan 5, 2024) The department has decided NOT TO APPROVE […]
Destination Door County/Door County Community FoundationState Parks Grant Initiative$50,000 Matching Grant In late 2023, Destination Door County, in partnership with the Door County Community Foundation, launched the State Parks Grant Initiative to improve and enhance Newport, Peninsula, Potawatomi, Rock Island, and Whitefish Dunes State Parks. This grant initiative is divided into three parts: Donations […]
This is the time of year when we come together to celebrate our wonderful team of volunteers and all of the work they have accomplished in support of Newport during 2023. Carol and Chris Ash once again opened up their beautiful space at Kick Ash in Ellison Bay for us to gather. Sixty-five […]
Each year in early December, Wisconsin state park annual vehicle admission stickers for the upcoming year becomes available for purchase. DID YOU KNOW that those stickers are designed by high school students chosen in a statewide contest? The design contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is […]
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
NWS board member Deb Ford has photo-documented some of the volunteer workday scenes from the newly constructed Fern Trail boardwalk. The collection includes images of the seasonal flooding that impacts the trail; the deconstruction of the former ground-level boardwalk; and the incredible hard work (and fun) that went into building […]
On Saturday, October 7, NWS board member Gene Kenny placed the final deck board of the new 1,800′ elevated Fern Trail boardwalk. Gene has guided this entire project from conception/design; DNR approvals; grant applications and funding; working with Custom Manufacturing to secure all the materials needed for the project; and, […]
Park Naturalist Beth Bartoli recently talked with 106.9 The Lodge about Newport and the (then-upcoming) fall color scene at the park. Learn about what makes Newport special and which trails she recommends for great color viewing.
You know those 700 trees we planted at the entrance to Newport in April?And then hand-watered over multiple weeks because…very little rain. Overall, they are doing great! Mark Glasser and Deb Ford recently walked the new tree field to remove the pink yarn markers from the tree-lings and tally the […]