Learning

Official Description (from location's homepage)
The Queen’s River preserve is a wonderful place for an easy stroll along forested pathways to one of Rhode Island’s, and southern New England’s, most pristine streams. The Queen's River, a cold, largely forested stream with headwaters in West Greenwich, forms the western boundary of the Queen's River Preserve. The river flows southwestward through the tiny villages of Liberty and Usquepaug before finally tumbling into the Pawcatuck River in South Kingstown.

Official Description (from location's homepage)
The ponds, wetlands, and wooded uplands provide habitat for a number of unusual dragonfly and damselfly species, including the rare Ringed Boghaunter. A short loop trail passes a small woodland pool, goes through black oak-white pine forest, and then rises up to a high point amid rocky outcrops and dense shrubbery. Access to the Pond itself and its wetlands is restricted due to the sensitivity of the animals, plants and natural communities.

Official Description (from location's homepage)
This is the Rhode Island Chapter's largest nature preserve. Its oak forests, pine barrens, wetlands, and fields support numerous plants, animals, and natural communities, most notably a rare pitch pine/scrub oak barrens, vernal pools and a sizeable grassland. Kiosks located at the trailheads greet visitors with information about the preserve including visitor guidelines and what to see. There, visitors can pick up a trail map, a self guided hike, and a bird checklist available to the public at the kiosks. Visitors have a choice of hiking the wide Narragansett trail that leads to the grassland or hike on the narrower woodland trail which meanders through the heart of the property. In addition, the preserve is now open to horse back riding on specified trails. We have expanded our parking are at the Old Mill Road entrance to accommodate horse trailers and we have also installed a manual water pump to provide water for horses.

Official Description (from location's homepage)
Two distinct forest types - old and young - tell the story of this land. Large oaks, tulip poplar, and white pine that have stood for several generations speak of the past. Other areas of the preserve were more recently cleared for agricultural use, causing a young forest of mixed hardwoods and evergreens to spring up. Streams and wetlands are scattered through the forests. In places the terrain is steep and rocky, and the downslopes are littered with large boulders, so wear sturdy hiking boots. Use caution and wear orange if walking the preserve during hunting season. Some hunting activity has occurred in recent years even though The Nature Conservancy prohibits hunting on this preserve

Officially located within Ninigret NWR, the Kettle Pond Visitor's Center is a real gem. Plenty of parking, clean restrooms, two educational rooms (one for activities and another showcasing wildlife from the area) and a convenient gift shop make this a wonder place to begin exploring Ninigret. The trails leaving the visitor center are a pleasure to hike, and the wildlife was abundant. There are even binoculars, wildlife guides and checklists available free at the visitor center! All told a wonderful place to take the kids for a walk to learn about or just enjoy the outdoors.

Trustom Pond is one of the most enjoyable places we've found to visit. The trails are easy, the bird life abundant, and the views of the coastal pond very relaxing. There are a few benches on which to sit and enjoy the views, and even a pair of telescopes at one dock that you can use to get a better view of the birds on the pond. A great place for a walk or just to enjoy the views.

What a beautiful place to walk and enjoy the birds! The refuge is situated on a peninsula, with a large field in the middle ringed by a trail along the outer edge. The birds in the field are incredibly abundant, as were the different flowers and bushes. In addition there are multiple benches along the trail where you can sit and enjoy the view of the bay.

Parking is ample if not abundant, and the visitor center is beautiful and clean. All in all a fantastic place to spend an afternoon.

Official Description (from location's homepage)
Named after one of the original chiefs of the Narragansett Indians, the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island in the Town of Charlestown, Washington County.

Official Description (from location's homepage)
Located within the picturesque Narrow River on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island, this Refuge is comparatively small in size, but big in protecting the unique features of this area. Exceptional viewing of the refuge can be had from the Sprague Bridge in Narragansett on Boston Neck Road, or on Middlebridge in Narragansett.