Plum Island: A Vulnerable Gem

Plum Island, a barrier island off Newburyport, Massachusetts, is facingmajor challenges. The inhabited northern part of the island hassustained serious coastal erosion, and some homes are in danger ofbeing consumed by the Atlantic. At the Parker River National WildlifeRefuge in the southern sector, federal officials are concerned thatclimate change might alter the environment and affect the health ofbirds that depend on the area as part of their migratory journey. Yet the11-mile island, with one of the most spectacular sand beaches in NewEngland, remains a very popular destination. Houses continue to bebuilt. Thousands visit each summer either as renting tourists orenthusiastic day trippers. It is the third most visited birdwatchingdestination in the country. In this book by award-winning journalistDyke Hendrickson, the history of the island is recounted and plans forimprovement are outlined. Offering more than seventy striking colorphotos, it is a well-researched account of the background and currentstatus of this cherished natural resource.