NEGSA Meeting - Fieldtrip
BryanOakley
Trip: Shifting sand: Barrier spit migration and science-based management: The Napatree Point Conservation Area
Leader(s): Bryan Oakley, Daniel Cole, Peter August
Description: The Napatree Point Conservation Area in Watch Hill, Rhode Island is an 86-acre welded barrier spit that partially encloses the Little Narragansett Bay estuary. The conservation area contains some of the rarest habitats in Rhode Island and has been named a globally important bird area by the Audubon Society. Napatree is owned and managed by the Watch Hill Fire District and the Watch Hill Conservancy, and is publicly accessible year round. The barrier spit provides an excellent example of migration via overwash and washover fan deposition as the barrier has migrated over 75 m north since 1938. The undeveloped barrier also provides an example of the resilience of these natural features following storm events. Participants will also discuss bluff erosion, the historic use of Napatree for summer cottages (destroyed in the Hurricane of '38), the former site of the ill-conceived Fort Mansfield and the dynamics of the 9-acre coastal lagoon on the western end. This field trip is intended to inspire students learning about coastal environments, and for all attendees to hear from the conservation area staff on the challenges of managing a popular coastal conservation area while keeping it (in the words of the former manager) from being 'loved to death.'
Considerations: This trip will involve a 1.5-hour trip from Hartford, and approximately 2 miles of hiking over sand. Some limited accommodations may be available via UTV. Food and Water are not available at the site. Bathroom facilities will be made available when arriving at the field site and when leaving. The trip will start Saturday morning in Watch Hill, RI. The trip will end around 2p to leave time to travel to Hartford for the conference opening.