Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a

National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge System is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the system of public lands and waters set aside to c ...

complex in the state of

Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...

. Its headquarters is in

Charlestown, Rhode Island Charlestown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 7,997 at the 2020 census. History Charlestown is named after King Charles II, and was incorporated in 1738. The area was formerly part of the town ...

. Dotted along the Rhode Island's Atlantic coastline, the five refuges that make up the complex (Ninigret, Trustom Pond, John H. Chafee at Petaquamscutt Cove, Block Island and Sachuest Point) offer a wide variety of natural settings.

History and Wildlife

All National Wildlife Refuges were established to conserve habitat for wildlife, but Rhode Island's five refuges were established specifically for migratory birds. Over 400 species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors use the refuges to rest and feed during spring and fall migrations. Year-round resident birds, as well as seasonal visitors such as the federally threatened piping plover, nest in the shelter of the refuges. Birds are not the only attraction of Rhode Island's refuges. Uplands, lowlands, and coastal environments provide a home for many species of animals and offer any outdoor enthusiast a richness of plant life to explore. These protected lands are critical as increasing development encroaches on local, natural spaces.

Refuges within the complex

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Located approximately offshore on picturesque Block Island, the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge provides important habitat for wildlife, and a place for people to appreciate the natural environment of the island. The refuge was established i ...

* John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge *

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge The Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge situated along the shore of Ninigret Pond. It is characterized by salt marshes, kettle ponds, freshwater wetlands, maritime shrub lands, and forests, and it is seasonally inhabited ...

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge Occupying a peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound, the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is a very popular site for the over 65,000 annual visitors each year. It is located in the southeasternmost part of the Town of ...

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge Trustom Pond is a closed lagoon in South Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. It is one of nine coastal lagoons (referred to as "salt ponds" by locals) in southern Rhode Island. It has a surface area of , and is the only unde ...

References

Complex website
National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island Charlestown, Rhode Island Protected areas of Washington County, Rhode Island {{RhodeIsland-protected-area-stub