Block Island National Wildlife Refuge

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map of the United StatesShow map of Rhode IslandBlock Island National Wildlife Refuge (the United States)Show map of the United States
Location	Washington County, Rhode Island, United States
Nearest city	New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Coordinates	41°13′25″N 71°34′31″W / 41.22371°N 71.57533°W / 41.22371; -71.57533
Area	127 acres (0.51 km)
Established	1973
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Block Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located approximately 12 miles (19 km) offshore on picturesque Block Island, the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge provides crucial habitat for wildlife, and a place for people to appreciate the natural environment of the island. The refuge was established in 1973 with the transfer of 28 acres (110,000 m) from the U.S. Coast Guard, and has grown to its current size of 127 acres (0.51 km) today.

Block Island 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, and is headquartered in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

Situated along the Atlantic Flyway, Block Island is one of the most important migratory bird habitats on the east coast. Many songbirds "overfly" the mainland and stopover on Block Island before continuing their migration. Hundreds of "birders" visit the refuge each fall to watch migration.

The refuge also provides habitat for the endangered American burying beetle, supporting the only population of this species known east of the Mississippi River. Piping plovers, a threatened species, occur in the refuge, as do four other state species of concern. The refuge is also home to the largest gull colony in Rhode Island.

References

"Block Island National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

v t e Protected areas of Rhode Island
Federal	Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Chafee National Wildlife Refuge Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge Touro Synagogue National Historic Site Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge Roger Williams National Memorial
State Parks	Beavertail Blackstone River Greenway Brenton Point Burlingame Colt Fishermen's Memorial Fort Adams Fort Wetherill Goddard Memorial Haines Memorial Lincoln Woods Pulaski Rocky Point Snake Den World War II Veterans Memorial
State Beaches	Charlestown Breachway East Beach East Matunuck Misquamicut Roger Wheeler Salty Brine Scarborough
State Forests	George Washington Memorial Lincoln Woods Wickaboxet
Wild and Scenic Rivers	Ashaway River Beaver River Chipuxet River Green Fall River Pawcatuck River Queen River Usquepaug River Wood River
Other protected areas	Arcadia Management Area East Bay Bike Path Ell Pond George Washington State Campground

v t e National Wildlife Refuges of the United States
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National Wildlife Refuges of the United States

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