Galilee Salt Marsh

Physical Characteristics

What happened to the salt marsh after the escape road was built?

As a result of the road being built, the salt marsh on the southern side of the Escape Road was cut off from tidal flow. The marsh became sick and overrun with a large reed known as phragmites.  The phragmites took over the habitat of the salt marsh plants.

As the marsh filled in, more birds made their homes here and the State of Rhode Island designated this 128 acre coastal wetland complex the Galilee Bird Sanctuary. It is owned and managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Our virtual field trip will begin on the healthy side of the marsh, a popular spot for hunting for shellfish.