Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Ruth Wales DuPont Sanctuary
(Southampton Village)

The easternmost nature preserve of Long Island’s South Shore Estuary Reserve is the Ruth Wales DuPont Sanctuary. It protects woodlands, coastal wetlands and bay shore along a peninsula and creek at the east corner of Shinnecock Bay. It is the only part of the South Shore Estuary Reserve actually located on the South Fork of Long Island.

The South Fork Chapter of the Nature Conservancy has owned the 31.5-acre sanctuary since 1961. It is one of 31 Nature Conservancy preserves on the South Fork. Along with preserves owned by other groups, the South Fork has what may be the greatest concentration of nature preserves in the country!

This preserve is a true sanctuary in that it is surrounded by development on all sides. It covers half of Captain’s Neck, “one of the most productive shellfish and finfish bays on Long Island,” according to the Nature Conservancy’s Preserve Guide for the South Fork Chapter.

The preserve is a small oasis for birds and other wildlife. Inhabitants of the upland woods include raccoon, long-tailed weasel, red fox and eastern chipmunk. The preserve is also home to many kinds of shore birds, wading birds, ducks, geese and perching birds. When the tide is out, make sure to look for horseshoe crabs, fiddler crabs, and ribbed mussels on the wet banks.

The Conservancy’s Preserve Guide emphasizes the Sanctuary’s importance to the health and ecology of the bay. It is located in Southampton, where there is a relentless demand for shore front homes. The preserve’s marshes do their job in filtering runoff, and preventing wave and storm erosion of the shoreline. The marshes also provide food, shelter and nesting sites for wildlife and aquatic life.

In 1925, Henry DuPont bought this property to preserve the natural view from his estate across the bay on Southampton Beach. DuPont and his wife Ruth Wales DuPont donated the property to the Conservancy to preserve its natural state forever. Before you take your walk through this beautiful preserve, recall the lesson cited in the Preserve Guide. “Clearly there is more at stake here than the preservation of a scenic view. Think about this delicate balance as you enjoy the following walk.”

For information, contact the South Fork Chapter of the Nature Conservancy at (631) 329-7689, P.O. Box 5125, East Hampton, NY 11937.

How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east to Long Island’s South Fork. Cross over Shinnecock Canal. About 4.3 miles after the canal turn right onto Tuckahoe Road. (Look for signs for Southampton College.). Turn left on Montauk Highway (called Hill Street in Southampton). Drive two blocks and turn right on Captain’s Neck Lane. Just after Boysen Street, look for the sanctuary entrance on the left at the end of the block. Park on the shoulder next to the small entrance gate.

Waterproof boots or old sneakers are recommended for this walk. The 0.4-mile trail starts off in upland woods. You quickly descend to marsh level. Where you cross a boardwalk, little saltwater reaches this point, so black cherry and shadbush thrive. As you go further into the marsh, salt-tolerant plants appear such as groundsel bush, marsh elder, and seaside goldenrod. In the saltmarsh itself, salt hay, cord grass and spike grass grow with glasswort, coastal blite, and sea lavender. The trail ends at a little bay that splits the end of this peninsula. Return the way you came.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Ruth Wales DuPont Sanctuary (Southampton Village) The easternmost nature preserve of Long Island’s South Shore Estuary Reserve is the Ruth Wales DuPont Sanctuary. It protects woodlands, coastal wetlands and bay shore along a peninsula and creek at the east corner of Shinnecock Bay. It is the only part of the South Shore Estuary Reserve actually located on the South Fork of Long Island. The South Fork Chapter of the Nature Conservancy has owned the 31.5-acre sanctuary since 1961. It is one of 31 Nature Conservancy preserves on the South Fork. Along with preserves owned by other groups, the South Fork has what may be the greatest concentration of nature preserves in the country! This preserve is a true sanctuary in that it is surrounded by development on all sides. It covers half of Captain’s Neck, “one of the most productive shellfish and finfish bays on Long Island,” according to the Nature Conservancy’s Preserve Guide for the South Fork Chapter. The preserve is a small oasis for birds and other wildlife. Inhabitants of the upland woods include raccoon, long-tailed weasel, red fox and eastern chipmunk. The preserve is also home to many kinds of shore birds, wading birds, ducks, geese and perching birds. When the tide is out, make sure to look for horseshoe crabs, fiddler crabs, and ribbed mussels on the wet banks. The Conservancy’s Preserve Guide emphasizes the Sanctuary’s importance to the health and ecology of the bay. It is located in Southampton, where there is a relentless demand for shore front homes. The preserve’s marshes do their job in filtering runoff, and preventing wave and storm erosion of the shoreline. The marshes also provide food, shelter and nesting sites for wildlife and aquatic life. In 1925, Henry DuPont bought this property to preserve the natural view from his estate across the bay on Southampton Beach. DuPont and his wife Ruth Wales DuPont donated the property to the Conservancy to preserve its natural state forever. Before you take your walk through this beautiful preserve, recall the lesson cited in the Preserve Guide. “Clearly there is more at stake here than the preservation of a scenic view. Think about this delicate balance as you enjoy the following walk.” For information, contact the South Fork Chapter of the Nature Conservancy at (631) 329-7689, P.O. Box 5125, East Hampton, NY 11937. How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east to Long Island’s South Fork. Cross over Shinnecock Canal. About 4.3 miles after the canal turn right onto Tuckahoe Road. (Look for signs for Southampton College.). Turn left on Montauk Highway (called Hill Street in Southampton). Drive two blocks and turn right on Captain’s Neck Lane. Just after Boysen Street, look for the sanctuary entrance on the left at the end of the block. Park on the shoulder next to the small entrance gate. Waterproof boots or old sneakers are recommended for this walk. The 0.4-mile trail starts off in upland woods. You quickly descend to marsh level. Where you cross a boardwalk, little saltwater reaches this point, so black cherry and shadbush thrive. As you go further into the marsh, salt-tolerant plants appear such as groundsel bush, marsh elder, and seaside goldenrod. In the saltmarsh itself, salt hay, cord grass and spike grass grow with glasswort, coastal blite, and sea lavender. The trail ends at a little bay that splits the end of this peninsula. Return the way you came.