Home Economy Natural Resources Audubon Society expands in R.I. with donated 305 acres

Audubon Society expands in R.I. with donated 305 acres

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01/29/2024

Congdon — AN ANONYMOUS donor recently donated Congdon Wood, a 300-acre densely forested parcel parcel that lies at the headwaters of the Saugatucket River in North Kingstown, to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. COURTESY AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND

SMITHFIELD – Audubon Society of Rhode Island has received a pair of land donations that expand the organization’s protected area across the state to 9,800 acres. The first is Congdon Wood, a 300-acre densely forested parcel that came from an anonymous donor and lies at the headwaters of the Saugatucket River in North Kingstown. The

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SMITHFIELD - Audubon Society of Rhode Island has received a pair of land donations that expand the organization’s protected area across the state to 9,800 acres. The first is Congdon Wood, a 300-acre densely forested parcel that came from an anonymous donor and lies at the headwaters of the Saugatucket River in North Kingstown. The area is mix of tree species, including old American beech, yellow birch and white pine that fill the landscape and also contains valuable wetlands and provides a protected home for native birds and wildlife. Owls, woodpeckers, warblers and numerous other bird species use the property year-round or on critical migration stopovers, while the wetlands and streams provide breeding grounds for the vulnerable dusky and two-lined salamanders and other aquatic species. “The size of this wildlife refuge and the fact that it connects to other protected areas explains the invaluable role it will play in Rhode Island conservation efforts,” said Audubon Executive Director Jeff Hall. “These large tracts of donated land are few and far between these days, but they leverage Audubon’s ability to improve the ecosystem for birds, wildlife and people.” The society will use the Congdon Wood property for research to monitor populations of threatened bird species and develop habitat management plans through their Avian Research Initiative. The organization will also engage graduate and undergraduate students on the property in the study of conservation management. “It’s a win-win situation when working with local students,” said Audubon Senior Director of Conservation Scott Ruhren. “We’re getting significant assistance with field work, monitoring and other conservation tasks, and in turn they are receiving the training that they’ll need in order to work as scientists in the environmental field.” The second donation was 5-acre parcel in Coventry donated by Beverly Gammell that will enable Audubon to enlarge its Perched Boulder Woods Wildlife Refuge to 58 acres. The donated land has been in Gammell’s family for generations. “This donation merges seamlessly with a wildlife refuge that Audubon already monitors and protects,” Ruhren said. “The donation is leveraging our abilities to conserve and protect critical wildlife habitat. … Every piece of land has its own story and history to tell through the people donating it, and every acre of land is critical to help Audubon protect the natural biodiversity of the state.”