8Plum 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.