Button Island (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Button Island is a tiny piece of land in Hingham Bay. This bay is part of the amazing Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The island belongs to the town of Hingham. Button Island is less than 1 acre (about 4,000 square meters) in size. It also has a much larger area of land that appears and disappears with the tides. This area is called the intertidal zone and is about 116 acres (0.47 square kilometers).
Button Island: A Tiny Treasure
Button Island is a small but interesting island. It was formed from material left behind by ancient glaciers. This material, called glacial till, makes the island rise about 10 feet (3 meters) above the sea. The town of Hingham looks after the island. You can only visit Button Island by using a private boat.
Nature on the Island
Even though Button Island is small, it has some cool plants. A very large oak tree stands out on the island. There are also several smaller oak trees. You can find cedar trees and sumac plants too. These plants cover most of the island.
Other types of plants grow closer to the ground. These include shrubs like bayberry and dewberry. In the intertidal zone, where the land meets the water, you can see different kinds of grasses. You might also spot sea-lavender growing there. This plant is special because it can handle salty water.
Visiting Button Island
Button Island is a quiet spot in the busy Boston Harbor. Because it is managed by the town of Hingham, access is limited. You cannot take a ferry or a public boat to the island. Instead, you need to have your own private boat to reach its shores. This helps protect the island's natural environment. It also keeps the plants and animals safe.
