Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Rhode Island
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| Location | Newport County, Rhode Island, United States |
| Nearest city | Middletown, Rhode Island |
| Area | 242 acres (0.98 km2) |
| Established | 1970 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge |
The Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is a special place for nature located in Middletown, Rhode Island. It sits on a piece of land between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound. This refuge covers about 242-acre (0.98 km2) of land.
Many people visit Sachuest Point each year, over 65,000! They come to enjoy the outdoors and see the amazing wildlife. The refuge has a modern visitor center and more than 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of nature trails. There are also special platforms where you can get great views. Volunteers are often there to help visitors and manage the area.
Sachuest Point is famous for its excellent saltwater fishing. It's also home to the largest group of harlequin ducks that spend the winter on the East Coast. This area has a rich history. It was once used for horse racing, then as a Navy communication site, and now it's a protected wildlife refuge.
The refuge has many different natural areas, from salt marshes and beaches to bushy uplands. Over 200 types of birds have been seen here! Sometimes, rare visitors like the peregrine falcon, northern harrier, and even the snowy owl stop by.
Sachuest Point is one of five National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island. They are all managed by the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This group has its main office in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
The refuge had to close after Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012 because of storm damage. It reopened on May 1, 2013. For a while, the visitor center had shorter hours due to government budget changes.
The History of Sachuest Point
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1970. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island donated 70 acres of land to start it. Today, with more land added from the Navy, the refuge is 242 acres. It's an important resting and winter home for birds that travel long distances.
This area was also used by the military in the 20th century. During World War I, two large guns were brought here. They were meant to protect against German submarines. The guns were removed in 1919.
In World War II, the United States Navy set up a communication station and a rifle range here. You can still see parts of the old rifle range today. The communication station was closed and taken down in 1973. The United States Army Coast Artillery Corps also built tall towers at Sachuest Point. These towers helped guide guns that protected the Sakonnet River. They were removed in the late 1970s.
