Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge covers 787 acres of various wildlife habitats, including the only undeveloped coastal salt pond in Rhode Island. Over 72,000 visitors walk the trails of Trustom Pond each year. Many rare birds frequent the Refuge and bird watchers visit, from around the world, to photograph migrations and seasonal nesters. At the Visitor Contact Station, a native plant demonstration garden was created. The 2,700 square foot garden contains over 39 species of Rhode Island native plants. 

The University of Rhode Island Master Gardener Program and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have partnered to restore habitat by replacing invasive plants with RI Native Plant species. Together, our mission is to create awareness of the importance of native plants in habitat rehabilitation. Our goal is to implement USFWS’s long term habitat restoration plan. Each year we expand biodiversity by introducing thousands of native plants at the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.