Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (R.I.)

Sachuest Point (SAT-choo-est) is a wildlife refuge in the southeasternmost part of the Town of Middletown, Rhode Island, on a peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound, the 242-acre (0.98 km2). It is visited by over 65,000 annual people each year. 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 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 visitor center continues to operate with reduced hours due to the 2013 federal budget sequestration.