Sachuest Point
Occupying a peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island sound, the 242 acre Sachuest Point National Wildlife refuge is a very popular site for the over 65,000 annual visitors each year.
The refuge sports a newly renovated visitor center, over 2.5 miles 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 are is steeped in history.
From saltmarsh 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, are administered by the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, headquartered in Charlestown, RI.
In Charlestown, the Service is constructing a new headquarters and visitor center, scheduled for opening in 2004, which will celebrate Sachuest Point and the other four Refuges in Rhode Island. This facility will include interactive exhibits, displays, a sales area, and knowledgeable people where visitors can come and explore the refuges and learn about the wildlife and coastal environments of each refuge.
Directions
The refuge is located in Middletown, Rhode Island. Take route 1 South to route 138 East, over the Newport Bridge. Take the Newport exit and pass through downtown Newport on route 138A. Once through the downtown, you will pass First (or Newport) beach. Just past First beach, take a right onto Purgatory Road. Take a right onto Sachuest Point Drive and follow to the end, which will bring you directly into the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge parking lot.
More info at http://www.recreation.gov/detail.cfm?ID=53543
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