Ebey's Reserve is the first National Historical Reserve designated in the National Park system. Policy oversight is carried out by a nine-member Trust Board composed of local representatives from the town of Coupeville and Island County, and representatives from Washington State Parks, and the National Park Service. The Trust Board carries out specific duties on behalf of the National Park Service through a Cooperative Agreement. 
Photo courtesy of Lisbeth Cort. The National Park Service team is based out of the Reuble Farmstead. This team is responsible for maintenance, preservation and management of 413 acres of NPS-owned land including twelve historic structures, trails, landscapes, utility systems, and related assets. The team, in collaboration with the Trust Board, provides technical assistance to private landowners on historic preservation throughout the Reserve. Beyond the Reserve boundaries, the team provides training, technical help, and hands-on preservation assistance to other NPS units and various federal, state and local municipalities. The National Park Service business office is located at the Reuble Farm. Administrative Office & Pratt Cottage Visitor Center for Ebey's Landing NHR:The Pratt Cottage at Sunnyside 
Marie Shimada, Reserve Manager 
Josh Pitts has been a part of the Whidbey community since 2001. He is an aspiring photographer who enjoys adventuring with his wife and four boys. He has a dual BA in Environmental Studies and Law, Economics, & Public Policy, and an M.A. in Urban Planning and Historic Preservation from UW. With a passion to conserve the natural, preserve the built, and cultivate community, Josh takes great pride in stewarding Whidbey’s unique cultural landscape. 
Carol Castellano has been with the Reserve since 2012. During that time, she has managed office functions including providing administrative duties and bookkeeping for the Trust Board. Her position also welcomes visitors to the Reserve, providing publications, maps and other collaterals such as Junior Ranger Books. She provides logistical support for interpretive programs, manages the financials of the Ebey's Forever Grant program, and serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Volunteer-In-Parks program. Trust Board of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve The Trust Board of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is not a non-profit. It is a nine-member government body comprised of representatives appointed by the town of Coupeville, Island County, Washington State Parks, and the National Park Service (the four Partners). Members serve four year terms and represent all levels of state and local government.
Working with the Trust Board representatives, staff assists with outreach and education, as well as working with the four partners (town of Coupeville, Island County, Washington State Parks, and the National Park Service) on issues relating to historic preservation and protecting the cultural landscape within the Central Whidbey Historic District. The mission is to preserve and protect nationally significant resources in which Federal, State and local govermental agencies, along with the private sector, work together to manage, protect, and interpret the valued resources. Town of Coupeville Appointees:
Alix Roos - Position #1 Alix Roos (M.A. Ed.) is a 5th generation farmer growing Sugar Hubbard squash and pumpkins on Ebey’s Prairie. Her grandparents were one of a handful of multigenerational farming families in the Reserve that gave up development rights on their family's land to preserve and protect the agricultural landscape so many are lucky to enjoy today. Her greatest joy is sharing the many wonders of life in Coupeville with her family. Prior to becoming a farmer, Alix was the Executive Director of Friends of Ebey’s, witnessing the appreciation and participation of the greater community through their volunteerism, gratitude and generosity. She was especially honored to work alongside the Friends board, the public and the Trust Board to save dozens of historic structures within the Reserve through the Ebey’s Forever Grant Program. She’s passionate about participating in the preservation of all aspects of the Reserve including the parks, the Town of Coupeville, open spaces and agricultural land
Position is currently unfilled. Please contact the Mayor at the town of Coupeville office for information on how to apply for this open seat. 360.678.4461
Jen Schmitz - Position #3
Jen has over 17 years of water resources management, environmental science, and regulatory compliance experience encompassing a wide array of technical and project management expertise with both private consulting firms as well as state, regional, and local governments. Jen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology with a concentration in Ecology, and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Water Resources, as well as a number of certifications and other training. She is a resident of Coupeville, an avid gardener, and enjoys being both a foster and adoptive parent of rescue animals, including senior, hospice, and special needs pets. Island County Representatives:
Erin is a Washington state native with over 30 years of education, outreach, and research experience in the agricultural/biological sciences. She is presently a Farm Natural Resource Specialist for the Whidbey Island Conservation District. She is an avid outdoors woman and animal lover. Erin, her husband and their three children moved to Whidbey Island 15 years ago and enjoy growing fruit, vegetables, hay, and animals great and small on their farm. Having watched many formerly rural communities rapidly urbanize, Erin is passionate about maintaining the rural and historic character of this area.
Jeff and his family settled in Coupeville in 2018, having previously lived in Everett, Washington where Jeff retired from U.S. Navy in 2015. During Jeff’s 26-1/2 years in the Navy he was a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, serving on seven different ship types, including command of two Coastal Patrol class ships operating in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Post-retirement, Jeff and his family spent 2-1/2 years traveling full-time, visiting 39 states and over 102 National Park sites. Jeff and his family fell in love with Coupeville because of its friendly community, natural beauty, and significant history. With his small-town midwestern farming community roots, Jeff feels a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship to protect and preserve this beautiful and historic corner of Puget Sound. Jeff holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, an MBA from the College of William and Mary, and an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is currently a stay-at-home Dad.
Alan Hancock - Position #6 Alan Hancock was born in Coupeville and is the fourth generation to reside on the family farm, Aloha Farms, on Ebey’s Prairie. He served 32 years as an Island County superior court judge, retiring from his position, but not from life, in 2021. He and his wife, Elizabeth Hancock, were married in 1975. Their pride and joy is their family, son Benjamin Hancock and his wife Wendy, their grandchildren Terrence and Silas, and daughter Emily Hancock and husband Josh Kensok. Alan’s hobby is bagpiping and one of his major interests is the stewardship of the Reserve and the conservation of natural resources. 
Heather moved to Whidbey Island in 2020 and is the Executive Director of the Whidbey Island Conservation District. Prior to her arrival, she had a career in museum leadership in California, directing the education and exhibits departments of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and its marine science-focused sister institution, the Sea Center, before becoming the Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. For more than 20 years, her career has focused on connecting people with the natural world and inspiring stewardship of it. She values the natural beauty and historic importance of the Reserve and is thrilled to support its mission and contribute to the future excellence of this special place. When not working, Heather and her husband enjoy exploring the Island and renovating their 1947 home. Washington State Parks Appointee
John Whittet - Position #8 John is the Area Manager for the Central Whidbey State Parks. He has served the people of Washington State for 16 years as a WSPRC Park Ranger. The parks he has worked in include Fort Worden, Flaming Geyser, Alta Lake and Deception Pass State Parks. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Anthropology, with a minor in Environmental Studies, from John Muir College at UCSD. National Park Service Appointee
Appointed by the National Park Service Lex Fredy is Superintendent of San Juan Island National Historical Park and provides operational oversight for Ebey's Landing NHR. Lex is the appointed representsive the National Park Service on the Trust Board.
|
Last updated: April 17, 2024