Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
| Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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 Map of Rhode Island
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| Location | Newport County, Rhode Island, United States |
| Nearest city | Middletown, Rhode Island |
| Coordinates | 41°28′47″N 71°14′28″W / 41.47982°N 71.24115°WCoordinates: 41°28′47″N 71°14′28″W / 41.47982°N 71.24115°W |
| Area | 242 acres (0.98 km2) |
| Established | 1970 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge |
Occupying a peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound, the 242-acre (0.98 km2) 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 Middletown.
The refuge sports a newly renovated visitor center, over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of nature trails, viewing platforms, and a number of Refuge volunteers present to help visitors and to help in management of the refuge.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is renowned for its fantastic saltwater fishing, and the presence of the largest winter population of harlequin ducks on the East Coast.
Once a horse racing area, then a Naval communications site, and now a National Wildlife Refuge, the area is steeped in history.
From salt marsh and beach strand habitats to upland shrub dominated lands, the refuge supports over 200 bird species, with such notable occasional visitors such as the peregrine falcon, northern harrier, and the snowy owl.
Sachuest Point, along with the four other National Wildlife Refuges in the State, is administered by the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, headquartered in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was closed following Hurricane Sandy due to damage from the storm. The refuge reopened on May 1, 2013. As of September 2013, the visitors center continues to operate with reduced hours due to the 2013 federal budget sequestration.
In 1970, a 70-acre donation from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island led to the establishment of Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. Today, with land transfers from the Navy, the Refuge totals 242 acres that provide an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds.
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Wikipedia