Newport Wilderness Days | Day 1

This event at Newport State Park was started in 1992 as a way for the members of Newport Wilderness Society, the park’s official friends group, to showcase their beautiful wilderness park. Volunteers lead hikes and programs Labor Day weekend, covering many areas of interest.

Saturday, Sept. 2^nd

8:30 am Coffee on the Beach donated by Carol Ash, NWS board member and owner of Kick Ash Coffee, Ellison Bay.  What a great way to start your day with a hot cup of locally roasted, thoughtfully sourced coffee on the beach at beautiful Newport State Park. Meet at the picnic area, Lot 3. In case of rain, this will be held at the shelter building, Lot 3.

10 am Mushroom Foray with Charlotte Lukes  Door County’s mushroom expert will lead us through the fascinating world of fungi. Charlotte has been studying wild mushrooms for over 40 years. This hike is for those who want to learn about all aspects of fungi and is not intended to be an edible foraging hike. Meet at Lot 3.

11 am – Forest Past and Present Tour; Upland Trail Master Naturalist volunteers Mary O’Grady and Lynn Reuter will lead you along the Upland loop. You’ll be led through an open meadow, beech/maple hardwood forest, and areas of thick cedar. The stations along the trail will help with identification. This moderate, two mile hike has varied terrain. Meet at the office building, Lot 1.

2 pm – The story of the Trees 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 1/2 mile walk. Donna is retired from The Morton Arboretum where she did insect and disease research, worked in the Plant Clinic, and taught Botany for 16 years.  She also teaches entomology at the College of DuPage. Meet at the Sugarbush Trail, Lot 4.