Prudence Island

In addition to its human inhabitants, Prudence Island supports one of the densest herds of white-tailed deer in the northeast.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

The vegetation on Prudence Island reflects the extensive farming that took place in the area until the early 1900s.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

This small, 91-acre island lies 1.5 miles west of southern Prudence Island and 3 miles south of Patience Island.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

Approximately 60 percent of Prudence Island is included in the reserve's boundaries.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

Fauna: White-tailed deer inhabit the island, part of the shared population with Prudence Island.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

This 207-acre island lies to the west of northern Prudence Island.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

Dyer Island is a low-lying 28-acre island situated approximately halfway between Aquidneck Island and the south end of Prudence Island.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

Between September and May, Prudence Island is also used as a haul-out site for harbor seals.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

Prudence Island has been sheltered from the impact of the large population densities normally associated with coastal New England, largely because it has always remained comparatively inaccessible and because commercial development has been actively discouraged by its residents.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007

Prudence Island has benefited from active conservation measures.

Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rhode Island 2007