Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island protects a diverse coastal landscape along Ninigret Pond, including salt marshes, kettle ponds, freshwater wetlands, maritime shrublands, and forest across about 900 acres. The land first supported farming, then served a very different purpose during World War II as Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown, an auxiliary landing field for the United States Navy. The refuge began in 1970 with the transfer of 27.5 acres to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and later expanded through additional transfers and purchases. It is especially important for birdlife, with more than 250 seasonal species recorded, wintering waterfowl, migrating raptors, and a piping plover nesting program.

Quonochontaug, Rhode Island · USA