The island has been gradually declining in size in recent decades owing to a combination of rising sea levels and erosion.
This has been attributed to a combination of erosion and sea level rise due to climate change.
[1] The island is located in the Chesapeake Bay in Accomack County, Virginia, slightly south of the state line with Maryland.
[3] From 1976 to 2019, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation conducted overnight educational programs on the island for schoolchildren.
[3] The Foundation abandoned the island in October 2019, citing danger to students from a decrease in protective sea grass and the waterlogging of several hiking trails on the island.