The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The ponds, wetlands, and wooded uplands of both Grass Pond and Pasquiset Pond Preserves provide habitat for a number of unusual dragonfly and damselfly species, including the rare Ringed Boghaunter. © Virginia Brown

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

While hiking see if you can spot some of Grass Pond's unique plants and animals. View All

Plan Your Visit

Follow our preserve guidelines and your visit will be pleasurable. View All

Get Directions

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

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.

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.
Map of the Grass Pond Preserve

Things To Do

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.

Plan Your Visit

We hope you enjoy visiting our preserves in any season. We ask that you please observe the following guidelines:

• Stay on the walking trails, using marked trails wherever they exist.
• Respect preserve open hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). Overnight camping is not allowed.
• Do not ride horses, bikes or any motorized vehicle through preserves or on the trails.
• Do not disturb bird nesting areas. Between April 15 and September 1, nesting areas may be off-limits to visitors. People or dogs can easily destroy a nest with one misstep.
• Leave your pets at home, for the safety of the fragile ecology of preserves and as a courtesy to other visitors.
• Contact our office in Providence to visit those preserves that have restricted public access because of their very sensitive flora and fauna. These places deserve special respect and are best visited only on guided field trips.
• Do not remove any living materials from a preserve or disturb any vegetation.
• Remove any trash you create and, if possible, any garbage that you see left by someone else.
• When visiting Block Island or Prudence Island in the spring, summer and fall, dress in long pants and socks to avoid deer ticks. After any walk on a preserve, it is a good idea to check for ticks when you return home.
• Be careful! Your safety is your responsibility.

Thank you for your help.
Preserve Visitation Guidelines

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.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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