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Places We Protect

Fogland Marsh Preserve

Rhode Island

A kayaker paddles along a shoreline with green shrubs growing up to the rocks at the water's edge.

Fogland Marsh defines a beautiful tidal estuary fed by Nonquit Pond and the Sakonnet River.

Viewing

Overview

Description

How to Visit

The best way to experience this watery preserve is to park on Pond Bridge Road and put in a kayak below the dam on Nonquit Pond. Paddle down Almy Creek past Ferolbink Farms into Fogland Marsh.

Salt water flows into this beautiful tidal estuary, a place where the ocean water mixes with fresh water, creating a habitat for a great wealth of life, from juvenile sport fish to marsh birds. Almy Creek and the tides of the Sakonnet River course through the property, feeding the marsh. Unlike other area salt marshes, Fogland Marsh remains primarily in its natural state because it was not drained for mosquito control.

Why TNC Selected this Site

Fogland Marsh complements the salt marshes at the State's Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's Emily Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, both a few miles to the north. Parts of the marsh are owned by The Nature Conservancy and the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife.

What TNC Has Done/Is Doing

The Conservancy was given 45 acres of the marsh and 3 acres of upland in 1967 by Earl Blough and Frani Muser, and in 1993 Elsie Carreiro donated a 2-acre parcel. In 1991, Hurricane Bob altered the landscape of the beach considerably, and its high storm tides floated two cottages into the marsh. The Conservancy removed one structure by burning it down with help from the Tiverton Fire Department.

 

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Highlights

Paddling, birdwatching

Explore our work in Rhode Island

There are no actual trails through Fogland Marsh, but you can walk along the beach for a quarter of a mile. If you venture deeper into the marsh, wear old shoes, and please step delicately. For your own safety, consult the daily tidal chart before venturing too far out into the salt marsh.

What to See: Plants

The ebb and flow of salt water creates a delicate salinity balance upon which the salt marsh's entire ecosystem depends. Frequency and duration of tidal flooding regulates vegetation. Salt-tolerant plants such as salt marsh hay and sea lavender (no collecting please) grow in the low areas; while shrubs such as marsh elder grade into the upland borders. Seaside goldenrod, beach pea, sea lavender and dune grass find their home on the narrow dune.

What to See: Animals

  • Birds: An abundance of herons and egrets stalk the flats and creeks, and the northern harrier frequently forages here.
  • Aquatic animals: The preserve is an extremely fragile nursery ground for fin- and shellfish. Alewives travel each year up Almy Brook to spawn above the dam at Nonquit Pond. Striped mummichogs, silversides and other minnows live in the marsh creeks throughout the year, while bluefish, flounder and scup feed in the waters adjacent to the marsh during summer months. In the spring, the three-spined stickleback lures mates with its bright red belly.

Preserve Guidelines

We hope you enjoy visiting our preserves in any season. We ask that you please observe the following guidelines:

  • Stay on the walking trails, using marked trails wherever they exist.
  • Respect preserve open hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). Overnight camping is not allowed.
  • Do not ride horses, bikes or any motorized vehicle through preserves or on the trails.
  • Do not disturb bird nesting areas. Between April 15 and September 1, nesting areas may be off-limits to visitors. People or dogs can easily destroy a nest with one misstep.
  • Leave your pets at home, for the safety of the fragile ecology of preserves and as a courtesy to other visitors.
  • Contact our office in Providence to visit those preserves that have restricted public access because of their very sensitive flora and fauna. These places deserve special respect and are best visited only on guided field trips.
  • Do not remove any living materials from a preserve or disturb any vegetation.
  • Remove any trash you create and, if possible, any garbage that you see left by someone else.
  • When visiting Block Island or Prudence Island in the spring, summer and fall, dress in long pants and socks to avoid deer ticks. After any walk on a preserve, it is a good idea to check for ticks when you return home.
  • Be careful! Your safety is your responsibility.

Thank you for your help.