Difference between revisions of "Assateague Island" - New World Encyclopedia

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==References==
 
==References==
 
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*''National Park Service''. [http://www.nps.gov/asis/ Assateague Island National Seashore] Retrieved December 6, 2008.
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*United States, and William Hopkins Amos. 1980. ''Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia.'' Washington, D.C.: The Division.
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*Wroten, William H. 1972. ''Assateague''. Cambridge, Md: Tidewater Publishers. ISBN 9780870331688
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
*[http://www.nps.gov/asis/ Assateague Island National Seashore]
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All Links Retrieved December 6, 2008.
*[http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html Assateague State Park]
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*Amrhein, John. [http://www.thehiddengalleon.com/ Assateague's most famous shipwreck] ''The Hidden Galleon.''
*[http://www.chincoteague-island.net/ Chincoteague Travel Information]
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*''Chincoteague-Island.net.'' [http://www.chincoteague-island.net/ Chincoteague Island Tourism]
*[http://www.thehiddengalleon.com/ Assateague's most famous shipwreck]
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*Glass, Gary. [http://www.shutterglass.com/gallery/839364 Photography of Assateague] ''ShutterGlass.com.''
 
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*''Maryland Department of Natural Resources''. [http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html Assateague State Park]
 
 
 
 
==Photos==
 
*[http://www.shutterglass.com/gallery/839364 Assateague]
 
  
 
{{coord|37.976409|-75.304756|display=title}}
 
{{coord|37.976409|-75.304756|display=title}}

Revision as of 06:37, 6 December 2008

Aerial view of Assateague Island. Ocean City Maryland is visible in the far distance at top. View is to the north.

Assateague Island is a 37 mile long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia. It is best known for its herds of wild horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse. Bridge access for cars is possible from both Maryland and Virginia, though no road runs the full length of the island.

Protected areas

File:20060727 18-24-29chincoteaguedeer4print.JPG
A deer walks along the Snow Goose Pool in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague, Virginia, 2006-07-27
Monument sign at entrance from Chincoteague

There are 3 agencies on the island, Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park in Maryland, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. The Refuge was established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds, primarily snow geese. Assateague Island National Seashore was established in 1965 to preserve the barrier island, surrounding waters, and provide recreational opportunities. The United Nations has designated Assateague as a World Biosphere Reserve. The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated it a National Natural Landmark.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Assateague Island National Seashore is a unit of the National Park Service occupying much of Assateague Island along the Atlantic coast of Maryland and Virginia. It is a barrier island shaped by stormy seas and gentle winds. It lies adjacent to Assateague State Park and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

In the 1950s, some 5,000 private lots comprising what is now National Park Service land were zoned and sold for resort development. The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 halted the plans for development. The Nor'easter destroyed the few existing structures on the island and ripped roads apart. In 1965, Assateague became a National Seashore.

Bands of feral horses freely roam among plants and native animals that have adapted to a life of sand, salt and wind. Special thickened leaves and odd shapes reveal the plant world's successful struggle here. Ghost crabs buried in the cool beach sand and tree swallows plucking bayberries on their southward migration offer glimpses of the animal world's connection to Assateague.

Assateague State Park

Assateague State Park is a public beach and state park of Maryland that lies at the northern end of Assateague Island. Reachable via Route 611, across Sinepuxent Bay via the Verrazano Bridge (not to be confused with the Verrazano Narrows Bridge), Assateague State Park offers beaches and campsites to the public for a fee. The park lies adjacent to Assateague Island National Seashore which is run by the National Park Service.

Assateague Island National Seashore offers a guarded beach, public bathrooms, showers and concessions. It also offers public campgrounds, available on a reservation basis.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is a 14,000 acre wildlife preserve operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It is primarily located on the Virginia side of Assateague Island with portions located on the Maryland side of the island as well as Morris Island and Wildcat Marsh. The refuge contains a large variety of wildlife animals and birds including the Chincoteague Pony.


Human Use of the Island

The National Park Service allows Off-road vehicles with permits in certain areas. Car camping sites are available in both the National Seashore and Assateague State Park by reservation. Backcountry sites are also available from the National Seashore. There is no camping available from the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Pets are prohibited in all areas except certain parts of the National Seashore. Check with each agency to find out the specifics. Kayak touring is a popular way to see the wildlife, especially on the calmer bay side. The best time to backcountry camp is in the spring and fall. Summer months are known for heavy mosquito populations, particularly on the bay side.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge with Chincoteague Lighthouse in distance

Assateague State Park comprises almost 800 acres and lies in Maryland within the National Seashore. The state park is the most developed area on the island with 350 campsites. Most of the water around the island is within the boundaries of the national seashore. The island has a land area of 63.21 km² (24.4 sq mi) and has no resident population in either Maryland or Virginia, though a few retained rights properties existed until 2006. These were mainly hunting camps.

The Wild Horses of Assateague Island

Feral ponies on Assateague Island

The horse species is commonly subdivided into horses and ponies. This distinction, made both on per-breed or per-individual bases, is sometimes a matter of disagreement. Though commonly called "Chincoteague Ponies", these animals are arguably horses. The National Park Service provides information about these animals through brochures and internet. Made famous by Marguerite Henry in her book Misty of Chincoteague, generations of visitors make the pilgrimage each year to see these wonderful creatures. The Maryland horses are owned and managed by the National Park Service who have carefully followed the population over generations. In Virginia, these horses are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. Once a year in July, Salt Water Cowboys round up the Chincoteague Ponies for auction on Pony Penning Day. The Maryland and Virginia horses are kept apart by fencing at the border between the two states.

The National Park Service no longer refers to the island horses as feral, meaning they are descendants of domestic animals, rather than wild horses. Although the horses are descendants of domesticated animals, their behaviors are consistent with their ancient ancestors.

To keep their numbers under control on the Maryland side, a federal contraceptive program has been in place since 1994.[1] In Virginia, the auction keeps the horse population at levels required by agreement with the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

Wildlife

Egrets in Assateague's marshes

Large populations of birds also inhabit the island, including American Oystercatcher, Great Blue Heron, and Snowy Egret. There are over 320 species that are known to inhabit the island during some portion of the year. These include gulls, terns, and other shorebirds along with raptors, waterbirds, and waterfowl.

Notes

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • National Park Service. Assateague Island National Seashore Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  • United States, and William Hopkins Amos. 1980. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia. Washington, D.C.: The Division.
  • Wroten, William H. 1972. Assateague. Cambridge, Md: Tidewater Publishers. ISBN 9780870331688

External links

All Links Retrieved December 6, 2008.

Coordinates: 37°58′35″N 75°18′17″W / 37.976409, -75.304756

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