Napatree Point

<h4><strong>Ecology and Stewardship of a Pristine Coastal New England Ecosystem</strong></h4><p>The Napatree Point Conservation Area is an 86-acre nature preserve on the southwestern tip of Rhode Island. Designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society because of its importance as a migratory stopover Napatree is a breeding and foraging site for a number of endangered species including Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) and American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliates). The habitats on Napatree-maritime shrubland maritime herbaceous dune and maritime beach strand-are the top-ranking habitats of greatest conservation need in Rhode Island.</p><p>The conservation area is heavily used by visitors. On a warm summer day over 1000 people enjoy the 1.1 mile-long beach. Public access is ensured by the conservation easement over Napatree held by The Watch Hill Conservancy. In 2022 there were over 44000 visits to the site.</p><p>Since 2013 The Watch Hill Conservancy has published an annual State of Napatree report that contains monitoring data on its fauna flora and geology. This comprehensive overview represents a decade of monitoring stewardship and public education programs on Napatree.</p><p></p>