Grass Pond Preserve

Ringed Boghaunter (Williamsonia lintneri) © Virginia Brown

Why You Should Visit
The ponds, wetlands, and wooded uplands provide habitat for a number of unusual dragonfly and damselfly species, including the rare Ringed Boghaunter.  A short loop trail passes a small woodland pool, goes through black oak-white pine forest, and then rises up to a high point amid rocky outcrops and dense shrubbery.

Access to the Pond itself and its wetlands is restricted due to the sensitivity of the animals, plants and natural communities.

Location
Richmond, in southern Rhode Island

Size
180 acres

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Preserve Visitation Guidelines

Trails
A short walking trail marked with yellow blazes loops through the northern portion of the preserve. The trailhead to the preserve begins at the preserve sign along an unpaved path located off  Wilbur Hill Road.  Follow this path then take a left onto the loop trail.

Directions

• From Providence, take Route I-95 south to Route 138 east (exit 3A)
• Travel east on Route 138 approximately 1.9 miles to the junction with Route 112
• Turn south on Route 112 about .5 miles
• Turn left on Wilbur Hill Road and go .5 miles
• Look for The Nature Conservancy's sign at the entrance to the preserve. You can park on the right side of the paved part of Wilbur Hill Road, before or after it takes a sharp left turn at the preserve sign.

What to See: Plants
Notable plants at Grass Pond include Atlantic white cedar, bog sedge and cranberry and globally-declining and state-endangered species such as horned rush.  Access to the Pond itself and its wetlands is restricted due to the sensitivity of the animals, plants and natural communities.

What to See: Animals
A number of rare insects include the Hessel's hairstreak butterfly in forested areas, dragonflies such as the elfin skimmer and ringed boghaunter in bogs and sedgy areas and two coastal plain damselflies, the pine barrens bluet and the New England bluet. Although these insects spend much of their time in the wetlands, keep an eye out for them along the upland trail as well.

Why the Conservancy Selected this Site
Grass Pond Preserve provides habitat for globally declining and state endangered plant and insect species. It also links together two large protected natural areas: the State of Rhode Island's 2,300 acre Carolina Management Area and the 1,800-acre de Coppet Estate.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
In 1986, Grass Pond was identified by the Rhode Island Natural Heritage Program as one of Rhode Island's top ten unprotected natural areas. By 1996, The Nature Conservancy, with support from the Champlin Foundations and private donors, preserved uplands and wetlands at the site. Today, one of the Conservancy’s goals is to continue to expand the size of the existing preserve. In June 2004, another 13 acres was added to the north.