Conservation Efforts

Managing habitats for rare species often has multiple goals, expectations and challenges. Improving existing conditions, while reducing overabundant and invasive species, is a common strategy the Audubon Society of Rhode Island uses to increase population sizes of desired species.

Bringing back early successional habitats, also known as young forest, increases habitat diversity in maturing landscapes. Commonly, the perception in Rhode Island is that rabbits are plentiful. However, most sightings throughout New England are eastern cottontails. Many people are surprised to learn a rare rabbit exists in Rhode Island. New England cottontail rabbits historically ranged over most of New England and eastern New York until the 1960s. Early successional habitats and young forests are the quintessential habitats for these rabbits, a species that thrives in dense vegetation. Ideally, this vegetation provides both cover and food throughout the year.

Though the New England cottontail is the focal species, these young forest restoration projects are beneficial to many animals. The open canopy, felled trunks and crowns and new stem growth of shrubs and forbs benefit a unique subset of the young forest community including American Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, eastern hognose snake and Ruffed Grouse. Audubon strives for this multiple species benefit as we provide critical habitat for an extremely rare species.

Ongoing public outreach and education about the New England cottontail and the need for habitat restoration is crucial for these restoration projects largely because introduced eastern cottontails are so abundant regionally and physical distinction is difficult.

Birds that nest in grasslands are the fastest declining group of North American birds. Audubon protects native grasslands on our refuges and manages them to enhance these communities, support nesting birds and nurture pollinators.

Audubon also protects coastal habitats throughout the state. Critical salt marsh habitat is threatened floods due to higher tides, coastal storms and sea level rise. Furthermore, runoff from streets and developed areas bring pollutants to these fragile habitats. Salt marsh species, such as the salt marsh sparrow, are increasingly vulnerable. Audubon and its partners are tracking this threatened species in Rhode Island and monitoring salt marsh plants as well.

Audubon refuges also are home to other rare and endangered insects, freshwater mussels, and many species of plants. Some of these species are globally rare.

Image by Joel Eckerson