Newport Wilderness Days (Day 2 of 2)

Description

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 on Labor Day weekend, covering many areas of interest.

Sunday, Sept. 4

11 a.m. – Primitive Fire Building Workshop Test your skills at this informative fire building program led by expert Ken Foszcz. Ken is a retired fire chief, fire investigator, search and rescue volunteer and all-around outdoor enthusiast. He’ll talk about fire safety, prepping for fire building and demonstrate many ways to start a fire, including the use of a bow drill. Join him at the shelter building, a short walk from Lot 3.

1:30 p.m. – Mushrooms of Newport Come enjoy a PowerPoint presentation about mushrooms, the wondrous world beneath our feet, given by Charlotte Lukes, Door County’s leading fungi expert. To date, she has identified 179 different species at the park. Her presentation will feature 118 of those species. Meets in the Nature Center, parking Lot 1.

3:30 p.m. – History of Newport, Out of Wilderness into Wilderness It’s hard to picture quiet Newport State Park as a small bustling town, but that’s exactly what it was. Founded in the 1880s, the town of Newport had farms, a post office and general store, a sawmill and housed the lighthouse keeper. Park staff will be on hand to talk about the area's history, up to our present-day dark sky park status.