A 25-acre parcel that connects to the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Hodge Property is the most recent large-scale conservation purchase on Block Island. Conserved through a partnership of the Block Island Land Trust, Block Island Conservancy, the Town of New Shoreham, and The Nature Conservancy, it’s a great spot to view migratory songbirds, the state-endangered northern harrier, and the Block Island meadow vole. The meadow areas of the property have goldenrod, butter and eggs, and common aster; the maritime shrubland features bayberry, arrowwood, and black cherry. Occasionally a location for organized stargazing through the Oceanview Foundation, the Preserve has a small parking lot along Corn Neck Road. 

Like many of the conserved habitats on Block Island, the meadow is cut once a year in the spring. This prompts an explosion of wildflowers and encourages the woodcocks, which engage in their acrobatic, flashy, and vocal mating ritual at dusk — an evening performance of its very own. The coastal shrubland, with its dense milkweed, also is home to migratory songbirds and raptors.

But the relatively austere nature of the surrounding meadowland plays a strong second fiddle to the panoramic views that the preserve provides as you walk along a variety of trail options.

Straight ahead, Block Island Sound stretches out to the west toward Watch Hill and Connecticut. If you turn your attention left, the channel entrance to the Great Salt Pond is clearly visible, as are the immense bluffs overlooking the surf and rocks of the distant Grace’s Cove.

Along the highly recommended spur to the right, which provides impressive views at sunset, far over at West Beach one can see the National Wildlife Refuge and its dune recovery program, which remains the largest in Rhode Island. Middle Pond — the trail’s final destination — sparkles in the distance, and in spring and fall hosts egrets, herons and bitterns. Farther north, Sachem Pond and Cow Cove are visible, and off in the distance past North Light, mainland Rhode Island can be seen. To the southwest, are Montauk Point and Long Island. This is one of the most spectacular views on the island. 

Just off the south coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is a wildlife hotspot, providing habitat for many plants and animals that disappeared from the rest of southern New England decades ago. Today, nearly half of the island is permanently protected for people and nature. 

In 1991, The Nature Conservancy named Block Island one of 12 “Last Great Places” in the western hemisphere. This special designation highlights the island’s abundance of rare plants and animals and the community’s unique support for conservation. The Nature Conservancy set up a permanent field office on the island soon after, affirming its long-term commitment to the community. The Block Island Program manages over 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat, offers hands-on discovery programs, and supports groundbreaking scientific research in the Great Salt Pond.

Download the Block Island Trail System map from The Nature Conservancy.

Block Island is located in Block Island Sound approximately 9 miles south of the mainland and 14 miles east of Montauk Point, named after Dutch explorer Adriaen Block. It is part of Washington County and shares the same area as the town of New Shoreham. It is part of the Outer Lands region, a coastal archipelago.

Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination and is known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. It is also the location of Block Island North Light on the northern tip of the island and Block Island Southeast Light on the southeastern side, both historic lighthouses. Much of the northwestern tip of the island is an undeveloped natural area and resting stop for birds along the Atlantic flyway.

Popular events include the annual Fourth of July Parade, celebration, and fireworks. The island's population can triple over the normal summer vacation crowd. 

Running from east to west, the Hodge Preserve links with Clay Head Trail at Corn Neck Road just north of the main trail access point near the town’s Transfer Station. The preserve paths are grassy, and it is one of the easiest walks of all of Block Island’s many conservation areas. It is easily traveled by gadabouts of all ages.