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 hat makes Trustom Pond NWR truly unique is its 160-acre coastal salt pond,
the only one of its kind in Rhode Island that remains completely undeveloped.
Its value for wildlife is unmistakable. Bird species in the refuge alone
number almost 300 with at least 31 species of waterfowl and 20 species
of shorebirds. Observing birds from the two observation towers overlooking
Trustom Pond is most enjoyable and walking the well-maintained trails
is a joy in itself.
A fortuitous donation made the refuge possible. In 1974 Ann Kenyon Morse bequeathed her 365-acre holding, including Trustom Pond, to the federal government for use as a refuge. A 151-acre donation from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and other acquisitions have expanded the refuge to its present size of 777 acres including a conservation easement of 136 acres on private land. It is the largest refuge in the Rhode Island complex. A 1,290 acre expansion is proposed in the recently completed comprehensive plan for the refuge. Acquisition of land or easements from willing property owners would further protect the Trustom Pond watershed and coastal habitat important to migratory birds for breeding, foraging, and migration.
But the battle with invasive plant growth is being given the highest priority at this time. If phragmites were allowed to grow uninhibited, Trustom Pond would become inundated and the wildlife value would plummet. The plant, also called great reed, offers no nutritional value for wildlife and snuffs out other plant growth with its dense root system and thick vegetation. It thrives in wetlands and can survive in several feet of either fresh or slightly brackish water. Higher levels of salinity prevent its growth. The edges of Trustom Pond are a perfect breeding ground for this invasive plant, but not if Norma Kline has her way. “Invasives are a paramount threat to the biological integrity of these refuges,” says Kline, the senior refuge complex biologist. She is waging a three-year war on phragmites beginning with extensive spraying and mowing in the fall of 2001. Special amphibious equipment was used to reach the areas of Trustom Pond where the plant had intruded. After repeating these efforts in two succeeding years, Kline is expecting native cattails, rushes, sedges, and spartina to take hold. Kline says the secret to successful long-term management is to understand and to try to emulate the natural functions of the pond. She says past management practices may have actually helped the phragmites propagation. But keeping a watchful eye out for the exotic plants is important, too. Kline is, therefore, seeking to develop a survey and mapping method as well as control procedures based on examination of the vast body of knowledge that now exists on tested and viable techniques. She hopes to produce a management plant “template” that lists the array of considerations that will go into the development of invasives species management plans for each refuge in the complex and possibly for other refuges in the system as well. The work has progressed to the field testing stage and is being performed with the help of a contractor with grant funds administered by the Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island. On another front, Kline is engaged in a statewide effort to protect nesting piping plovers while refuge biologist Suzanne Paton is the hands-on program coordinator in cooperation with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The federally threatened bird nests on the beaches of both Trustom Pond and Ninigret NWRs and on up to nine other public and private beaches on the Rhode Island coast. Both on- and off- refuge components are included in the restoration plan for the piping plover population in Rhode Island. The added protection is made possible by donations from private individuals and landowners, an amount of up to $10,000, as well as support from the refuge friends group and the state of Rhode Island. The year 2001 was significant for several reasons; It marked the 10th year for the statewide plover restoration program when nesting pairs had grown to a record 40. The parent birds were successful at producing 63 fledglings, a dramatic increase above ten years ago when nine pairs fledge 16 birds. “A success story in endangered species management,” says Vandemoer. The success of the piping plover program is due in large part to the protection the birds are afforded. Enclosures are constructed around each of the nests allowing the adults to move in and out but preventing predators to gain access. The nesting beaches, including Moonstone Beach at Trustom Pond NWR, are also monitored daily to ensure no trespassing of closed areas and the absence of dogs and kites, both of which can be perceived as threats by the plovers. The intensive protective measures are only made possible by a number of volunteer workers assisting the federal and state biologists. Besides a wide variety of land and water birds, Trustom Pond NWR is documented to support 41 mammal, 10 fish, and 20 reptile and amphibian species. White-tailed deer are prevalent and coyotes, foxes, river otters, raccoons, mink, and opossums are regular inhabitants. Observant guest can not help but notice the insects and butterflies that make the refuge their home as well as the variety of wildflowers, shrubs, and tress that grow along the 3 miles of foot trails. Both the trail to Osprey Point and the one to Otter Point begin at the parking lot and visitor contact station. Both trails lead to fine observation decks that overlook a number of guided nature walks throughout the year. In addition to wildlife observation and environmental education opportunities, the refuge permits surf fishing on the Atlantic shoreline during the fall to spring state regulated season. Due to its size and to avoid disturbance to wildlife, Trustom Pond, however is closed to fishing. Hunting is not permitted. The refuge environmental education program involves over 2,000 school children from area school districts. The vulnerability of Trustom Pond was brought to light in January 1996 when an oil spill occurred in the ocean just opposite the refuge. Although the breachway on the barrier beach protecting Trustom Pond was wide open at the time, only breakers that washed over the dune entered the pond, sparing it from the worse damage that occurred up and down 12 miles of coast and the destruction of the state's lobster industry. Caring by Rhode Islanders for their refuges is evident from the advocacy given to them by the Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island. One would never know from its current actives, however, that its origins met with failure. “We had an abortive start,” says Jerry Morris, who has served as both chair and vice-chair of the group's board. Separate chapters for each of the refuges turned out to be an unworkable organization. Adopting the policy of thinking of the five refuges as one complex, concerned citizens formed the current friends group in 1997. One of its earliest involvements was the plover project already underway. Supporting both the biological and educational aspects of the project for four years, the group has helped with financing and volunteer recruitment and developed the Barrier Beach Curriculum for middle school children. The brainchild of member Carol Thompson, the curriculum is designed to promote barrier beach conservation. It involves field trips, and introduction to conservation careers, and opportunities for parents and children to volunteer for the plover project. One of the participating families donated a $100 reward for the apprehension of vandals who destroyed a protected nest! On the drawing board and fully paid for is an accessible observation platform at Sachuest Point NWR slated for construction in 2002. To promote the refuges, the Friends sponsor a series of lectures given by local experts at various locations throughout the state. Former Friends chair Fran Bodell says a secondary objective of the lectures is “getting the word out about the Friends.” Another recent new activity initiated by the Friends is an annual photographic contest. Wildlife photographer Karen Hollingsworth performed the judging in 2001. Morris says he was both pleased and surprised with the reception given the contest. “I didn't know this refuge exists,” said one contestant, “and I've been taking pictures for 20 years!”- Jim Clark Directions: From US-1 northbound in South Kingston, Moonstone Beach exit to Moonstone Beach Road, one mile south to Matunuck Road, west (right) 0.7 mile to refuge entrance on left. (US-1 southbound, u-turn across median (left turn) at Moonstone Beach sign and proceed north to exit.) Rhode Island NWR Complex P.O. Box 307 Charlestown, RI 02813 401.364.9124
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