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The Nature Conservancy in Sakonnet
Fogland Marsh
Fogland Marsh defines a beautiful tidal estuary fed by Nonquit Pond and the Sakonnet River.
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Trail Overview
​There are no actual trails through Fogland Marsh, but you can walk along the beach for a quarter of a mile. If you venture deeper into the marsh, wear old shoes, and please step delicately. For your own safety, consult the daily tidal chart before venturing too far out into the salt marsh.
What to See: Plants
The ebb and flow of salt water creates a delicate salinity balance upon which the salt marsh's entire ecosystem depends. Frequency and duration of tidal flooding regulates vegetation. Salt-tolerant plants such as salt marsh hay and sea lavender (no collecting please) grow in the low areas; while shrubs such as marsh elder grade into the upland borders. Seaside goldenrod, beach pea, sea lavender and dune grass find their home on the narrow dune.
What to See: Animals
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Birds: An abundance of herons and egrets stalk the flats and creeks, and the northern harrier frequently forages here.
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Aquatic animals: The preserve is an extremely fragile nursery ground for fin- and shellfish. Alewives travel each year up Almy Brook to spawn above the dam at Nonquit Pond. Striped mummichogs, silversides and other minnows live in the marsh creeks throughout the year, while bluefish, flounder and scup feed in the waters adjacent to the marsh during summer months. In the spring, the three-spined stickleback lures mates with its bright red belly.
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PRESERVE GUIDELINES
We hope you enjoy visiting our preserves in any season. We ask that you please observe the following guidelines:
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Stay on the walking trails, using marked trails wherever they exist.
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Respect preserve open hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). Overnight camping is not allowed.
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Do not ride horses, bikes or any motorized vehicle through preserves or on the trails.
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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.
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Leave your pets at home, for the safety of the fragile ecology of preserves and as a courtesy to other visitors.
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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.
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Do not remove any living materials from a preserve or disturb any vegetation.
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Remove any trash you create and, if possible, any garbage that you see left by someone else.
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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.
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Be careful! Your safety is your responsibility.
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