Rivers of Sand: Exploring Barrier Islands.

More than three hundred barrier islands fringe the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Best known for their wide, sandy beaches, barrier islands also serve critical ecological functions: They protect the mainland by absorbing the direct onslaught of storms, provide refuge for migrating wildlife, and offer crucial nurseries for many marine species.

Offering a close-up look at the wondrous diversity of life on barrier islands, Rivers of Sand invites viewers on a walk across a barrier island to explore the different life zones--from the surf to the marshy bayside. The video also examines how these "rivers of sand" have been formed, and...