Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Logo

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Reserve Information

Designated

1980

Lead Agency

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
(Visit Site)

Protects

4,332 acres

Located

12 miles north of Newport and 12 miles south of Providence, Rhode Island

Additional Information

Habitats within the reserve include salt marsh, eelgrass beds, rocky intertidal zone, pine barren, deciduous forest and coastal meadow. The Hope Island component is a major rookery for colonial nesting wading birds.

Biogeographic Region

Virginian

Tidal Range

N/A

About This Reserve

This reserve is located on three islands in the geographic center of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island: Prudence, Patience, and Hope. The islands contain diverse upland, aquatic, and estuarine habitats including coastal grassland, coastal shrubland, maritime forests, lowland streams, coastal marshes, cobble and rocky shores, and muddy bottoms. Both Patience and Hope islands are uninhabited; approximately 60 percent of Prudence Island is included in the reserve's boundaries. The reserve is surrounded by a small island community of summer and year-round residents.

Narragansett Bay Reserve, one of 30 areas in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, is protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. Daily management is provided by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management with assistance from local partners. NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management provides funding, national guidance, and technical assistance.

Reserve Location and Boundaries