William Forward Wildlife Management Area contains salt marsh and upland habitat from sea level to 45 feet. This area is approximately 700 acres of upland surrounded by more than 1,300 acres of salt marsh. The uplands are predominately mixed oak and white pine woodlands with mature stands of red pine and spruce. Old fields have been taken over by white cedar. There are also approximately 60 acres of open fields maintained under cooperative agreements with local farmers. An additional 20 acres are maintained in an early successional stage for purposes of biodiversity management. Marsh grasses dominate the marsh acreage.

The main entrance can be reached by taking Boston Road to Hay Street from US-1. A second parking area and canoe access is directly off US-1 on the south side of Parker River.

The wildlife area has excellent bird watching from brackish pools and tidal creeks along US-1. Kents Island attracts migrating birds during Spring and Fall. Furbearer populations appear low but numerous non-game species are present including several species of song, shore, and wading birds.