Plum Island

Plum Island, a barrier island off Newburyport, Massachusetts, is facing

major challenges. The inhabited northern part of the island has

sustained serious coastal erosion, and some homes are in danger of

being consumed by the Atlantic. At the Parker River National Wildlife

Refuge in the southern sector, federal officials are concerned that

climate change might alter the environment and affect the health of

birds that depend on the area as part of their migratory journey. Yet the

11-mile island, with one of the most spectacular sand beaches in New

England, remains a very popular destination. Houses continue to be

built. Thousands visit each summer either as renting tourists or

enthusiastic day trippers. It is the third most visited birdwatching

destination in the country. In this book by award-winning journalist

Dyke Hendrickson, the history of the island is recounted and plans for

improvement are outlined. Offering more than seventy striking color

photos, it is a well-researched account of the background and current

status of this cherished natural resource.