Fire Island National Seashore, New York

Fire Island is a barrier island on the south shore of Long Island, New York. The island is partially developed, known for small exclusive communities mixed with federally managed national seashore. The island ecosystem hosts endangered birds, deer, fox, and seals. Fire Island experienced severe damage due to Hurricane Sandy (2012), which eroded beaches and dunes, and opened an inlet in the Wilderness area that has been left to naturally evolve since the storm. I was involved with research at Fire Island for 5 years through Post-Sandy recovery monitoring and modeling as part of a U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service research team.