New York's Disappearing Sunken Forest | Atlas Obscura

[@zorroscuro]

The existence of this remarkable place provided a rallying point for those who wished to protect Fire Island from the plans of Robert Moses, who tried to build a highway along its length. The road would have led to development and destruction. It is the nature of barrier beaches to change and drift with occasional breaches that open and close. Development on these islands causes people to interrupt the natural movement of sand as we attempt to protect structures from natural erosion.

[@skysthelimitvideos]

zorroscuro Someone just introduced a bill to rename Robert Moses State Park on fire island because it shouldn’t be named after a racist who tried to destroy it. I agree with this because if had been successful the house my parents met in wouldn’t exist and I never would have been born.

[@belizeguy]

An excellent reminder to visit places like this before they are gone. Thanks

[@peruprofundodance]

One day in the future, 50 years from now, this video will pop up in someone’s recommendation. That viewer will think to themselves, wow I never knew that existed...

[@anthonypicco7811]

Or 8 minutes after you posted... "wow I never knew that existed"

[@RinLockhart]

I sure didn't.

[@SSArt98]

And by then it won't be in existence.

[@martinezfamily005]

I sure didn't know lol

[@stephenbogert2109]

The Sunken Forest boardwalk thru the woods is the attraction at the Sailors Haven Park, unless you have your own boat most people will visit by ferry from Sayville on Long Island. I love walking there, a nice loop is to take the boardwalk in the woods oneway and then return walking along the ocean beach.

[@fionajohnson8996]

You should check out the island along Beaufort NC and the wild horses on them.

[@madampince61]

they're beautiful, Fiona! We vacation on the Outer Banks every year and use binocs to look for the horses.

[@ChileThailandtravel]

Very good informative video. I have subscribed.. good job..

[@georgestradtman346]

I am sad to know that this treasure is disappearing, like so many other natural wonders that have fallen victim to humans. On the other hand, I'm grateful to know that someone is trying to preserve what's left.

[@skysthelimitvideos]

Wow I’m been there a million times I had no idea it was disappearing. Really sad to hear a piece of my childhood is literally drowning and being eaten alive.

[@supernannoe44]

NO, it is going naturally through it's life cycle!!

[@vildanmuhtesip4110]

Gratifying

[@SalesForceEffectivenesBrazil]

Cool!

[@ECsponger2]

Sea level rise is VERY real and evident in many places along the US east coast.

[@twistedpeople8363]

Love your channel!!!

[@muhammadismailcareertips3158]

great nice video tips

[@mrcheaspk3173]

good video i like 1+

[@kanani7410]

What does it look like in the winter? Snow capped would be lovely. I visited over the summer and it was one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen. Hardly seemed like it was in the USA.

[@Jacob-gy9ki]

I saw it in the winter, but there was no snow. It was the most beautiful biome of all time!!! Wood with eye-patterns, lianas, and muted green leaves, and on its border with the beach it are these bushes that look like miniature landscapes.

[@nacaa8206]

Can we have a transcript please?

[@supernannoe44]

exactly, this is a NATURAL "evolution " of life cycles.. LEARN SOMETHING FROM IT> !!

[@isleofnewyork]

Why do rising sea levels (the salt water ocean and bay) cause rising groundwater, which I thought was fresh water from aquifers or other sources below the sand/soil? I have seen the rising (fresh) water table in Sunken Forest, but it seemed separate from the ocean and bay. Also, according to NOAA numbers, the ocean seems to be rising only a few millimeters a year, while groundwater seems to be getting worse much faster. Can you explain the connection?

[@ErikAndersonNorthStar]

Time to open the island for periodic hunting to keep the deer population in check.

[@route99]

The hunters would cause more destruction trampling through this narrow patch of forest than conservationists selectively culling the deer population.

[@SebastianATaylor]

I swear to the almighty I will do what I can to insure places like this are saved

[@guidoferri8683]

So how was the forest like hundreds of years ago? Was the local eco system more balanced?

[@zorroscuro]

Before human impact overwhelmed the natural balances achieved by Nature there would have been predators to limit the deer population.

[@donttalkcrap]

Slow down and A-N-N-U-N-C-I-A-T-E your words. In the first two seconds I thought you said... atlasobscura

[@FoulUnderworldCreature]

"But the island is only accessible by boat." No shit? I was planning to walk there.

[@anthonypicco7811]

Some islands have bridges... as an example, I live on Manhattan island. Three tunnels and at least 7 bridges

[@skysthelimitvideos]

There actually is a bride to fire island it’s just far away from the Forrest and not pedestrian accessible.

[@zorroscuro]

There are bridges that cross to both ends of Fire Island, but Sunken Forest is located near the center, and can only be reached by ferry or private boat during most of the year.

[@saschamajcenic6119]

Most islands in the US are accessible via bridges you genius. Even this one, it's just that on this section of Fire Island cars are not allowed (unless they're from the Park Service).

[@philtripe]

ive noticed many islands have airstrips on them so planes can land

[@elmermt]

AMERICAN WILL MAKE HUD HOUSES AND MAKE IT IN TO A VACATION PLACE.

[@skysthelimitvideos]

There are lots of vacation spots elsewhere on the island. Lots of cute towns all without cars. Fire Island is actually the most populated place in the country without cars.

[@philtripe]

waterfront is for rich only in America...that way they get tax dollars to rebuild...billions more than gets spent on all of HUD...get a brain dummy, look around you...you never see tiny, affordable houses on waterfront