Last Privately Held NYC Island Is for the Birds

Setting aside the absurdity of the profit made on the deal, the purchase of the last privately held island in New York City as a bird sanctuary makes sense.

Bought from the city for one crisp Alexander Hamilton in 1975, the island is now being bought by the federal government for $2 million.

But this type of land is indeed valuable, both to wildlife and the public. Set in one of the world's biggest, and growing, cities, sanctuaries such as this are increasingly important. For birds, particularly, this spot will help countless migrants flying from Canada to and from Latin America get where they're going. For resident birds in New York Harbor, it will be a sanctuary. For people, a respite of green in the gray landscape.

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