This is the thirty-ninth diary in my “Expanding the National Parks’ series. Prior Diaries are linked at the bottom of the diary. Last time I was in Pennsylvania, this time I’m in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is the nation’s smallest state, covering over 1500 sq miles. Given its size, its not surprising that Rhode Island doesn’t have much federal land, at 0.4% of territory owned federally, Rhode Island is tied with Connecticut for the least amount of federal land within a state, in terms of percentage, in the country. Currently, Rhode Island has 5 wildlife refuges and 4 historic sites and other NPS Units. I will propose giving the state its first monuments.
Rhode Island
Total Area 1545 sq miles
Land Area 1034 sq miles
Water Area 511 sq miles
Coastline 40 miles
Additional Monuments -2
ADDITIONAL MONUMENTS-2
* Rhode Island Coastal Estimated area 50000 acres
Would conserve waters out to 20 miles from shore and include open spaces on the islands in Narragansett Bay.
* Anne Hutchinson Estimated area 50 acres ( in NY and RI)
Would conserve sites associated with Hutchinson in Portsmouth Rhode Island and in New York City as a monument to her memory. Hutchinson was one of the founders of Rhode Island and was banished from Massachusetts for her religious beliefs, which clashed with the Puritans. Hutchinson was killed in 1643 in an attack by the Sinoway Indians in what is now New York City.
EXISTING AREAS
WILDLIFE REFUGES-5
* Block Island Created 1973 Covers 127 acres
The Smallest of the states five refuges, Block island is located on the Atlantic Flyway and is home to 70 species of migratory birds. the refuge was creatred in 1973 by a donation of land from the Coast guard is gradually has had land added to the refuge since then.
* Chafee Established 1988 Covers 317 acres
Originally called the Pettaquamscutt Cove WR, the refuge was renamed in 1999 to honor late Rhode Island Senator John H Chafee. the refuge protects the largest number of black ducks in the state, and provides habitat for great egrets, plovers and herons.
* Ninigret Established 1970 Covers 900 acres
The largest refuge in the state, Ningret is named after Ninigret Pond, which the refuge borders. Prior to its creation in 1970, the refuge was used as a Navy Auxiliary landing field during World War II.
* Sachuest Point Established 1970 Covers 242 acres
located on a peninsula on Rhode Island Sound, the refuge protects the largest population of Harlequin ducks on the East Coast. Around 65000 people visit the refuge each year.
* Trustom Pond Established 1987 Covers 800 acres
The Second largest refuge in the state, the refuge incorporates Trustom Pond, the only undeveloped Salt pond in the state. Over 300 species of birds visit the refuge each year, along with 50000 people. The Refuge is in the process of expansion.
HISTORIC SITES AND OTHER NPS UNITS-4
* Blackstone River Valley NHP Established 2014 Covers 30000 acres (in MA and RI)
The newest and largest protected area in the state, the NHP protects several areas within the Blackstone River Valley, including the Blackstone Canal (10500 acres) The Blackstone River and its tributaries, Blackstone River State park in Rhode Island, the historic districts of : Ashton (61 acres), Hopedale Village (8040 acres in MA), Old Slater Mill (4.23 acres), Slatersville (310 acres) and Whitinsville (2500 acres in MA). the borders of the park are not set yet, other areas in the Heritage area could be added.
* Narragansett Bay ERR Established 1980 Covers 3944 acres
Created in 1980 by the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Reserve protects nearly 4000 acres of labds and water in Narragansett Bay and on Hope, Patience and Prudence Islands. the treserve is one of 28 nation-wide and 4 in New England.
* Roger Willliams NM Established 1965 Covers 4.5 acres
Located on a small lot in the oldest part of providence, the memorial honors the founding of Rhode Island in 1636 by Williams who founded the colony on the basis of freedom of religion, and majority rule. the memorial was designated by Congress in 1965/
* Touro Synagogue NHS Established 1946 Covers 0.23 acre
Protects the oldest existing synagogue in the US, which was built in 1763, and is the last surviving synagogue built before the Revolution. It was designated as an historic site by Congress in 1946 and today is an affiliated area of the Park Service- that is, its not counted as an official unit.
This concludes my trip to Rhode Island. next time I’ll be in South Carolina, exploring Fort Sumter. As always Comments, feedback and input are Welcomed. See you in the comments!
Prior Diaries
1.Alabama www.dailykos.com/...
2 Alaska www.dailykos.com/...
3 Arizona www.dailykos.com/...
4 Arkansas www.dailykos.com/...
5 California www.dailykos.com/...
6 Colorado www.dailykos.com/...
7 Connecticut www.dailykos.com/...
8 Delaware www.dailykos.com/...
9 Florida www.dailykos.com/...
10 Georgia www.dailykos.com/...
11 Hawaii www.dailykos.com/...
12 Idaho www.dailykos.com/...
13 Illinois www.dailykos.com/...
14 Indiana www.dailykos.com/...
15 Iowa www.dailykos.com/...
16 Kansas www.dailykos.com/...
17 Kentucky www.dailykos.com/...
18 Louisiana www.dailykos.com/...
19 Maine www.dailykos.com/...
20 Maryland www.dailykos.com/...
21 Massachusetts www.dailykos.com/...
22 Michigan www.dailykos.com/...
23 Minnesota www.dailykos.com/...
24 Mississippi www.dailykos.com/...
25 Missouri www.dailykos.com/...
26 Montana www.dailykos.com/...
27 Nebraska www.dailykos.com/...
28 Nevada www.dailykos.com/...
29 New Hampshire www.dailykos.com/...
30 New Jersey www.dailykos.com/...
31 New Mexico www.dailykos.com/...
32 New York www.dailykos.com/...
33 North Carolina www.dailykos.com/...
34 North Dakota www.dailykos.com/...
35 Ohio www.dailykos.com/...
36 Oklahoma www.dailykos.com/...
37 Oregon www.dailykos.com/...
38 Pennsylvania www.dailykos.com/...