Area 128 ha | Established 1988 | |
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Location Washington County, Rhode Island, United States Nearest city Narragansett, Rhode Island Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge Address Boston Neck Rd, Saunderstown, RI 02874, USA Management United States Fish and Wildlife Service Similar Ninigret National Wildlife R, Block Island National, Sachuest Point National, Trustom Pond, Haines Memorial State Park | ||
Located within the picturesque Narrow River on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island, the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge is comparatively small in size, but big in protecting the unique features of this area.
At 317 acres (128 ha), the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for the largest American black duck population in Rhode Island, and is recognized under international agreements as a critically important area for this species. The scenic vistas offered by the refuge and surrounding areas is well noted and attracts people from throughout the region.
Originally named the Pettaquamscutt Cove National Wildlife Refuge in 1988, it was renamed the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge in 1999, in honor of the late Senator who was a leading conservationist in the nation, and a strong supporter of the Refuges in Rhode Island. It is located in the Towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown.
This unique National Wildlife Refuge is administered as part of the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex which manages all five of the National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island, headquartered in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
The refuge contains expansive salt marsh habitats and adjacent uplands which teem with a variety of wildlife including great egrets, herons, and several species of plovers and other shorebirds.