The Trust Board of Ebey’s Reserve
The mission of the Trust Board is to work through partnerships to preserve and protect
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve so it forever remains a living,
rural community with an unbroken historical record.
The Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve coordinates management of the Reserve on behalf of four partners who have an interest in the Reserve: The National Park Service, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Town of Coupeville, and Island County.
Trust Board Meeting Participation:
Public participation and attendance at Trust Board meetings is welcomed. Regular meetings and workshops will be held at the Pacific Northwest Art School (15 NW Birch St., Coupeville) and will also be streamed via Zoom video conference. Public comments are accepted during scheduled meetings as part of the regular meeting agenda. Persons wishing to comment should request the opportunity in advance. All persons wishing to attend the meeting remotely should contact Reserve staff to obtain Zoom login instructions. Comments provided in written form will be attached to the minutes of the Trust Board.
Meeting Schedule & Agendas
The Trust Board meets twice a month: the 2nd Wednesday, from 10am to 12pm, of each month is a workshop with no public comment and no business is transacted. The Regular Meeting of the Trust Board will be on the 4th Tuesday of each month, from 3pm to 5pm. Meetings are scheduled for two hours, however they may end earlier than noticed.
Trust Board Workshops are held at the Pacific Northwest Art School (15 NW Birch St., Coupeville). Trust Board Meetings are generally held at the Coupeville Library on Alexander Street and via ZOOM Conference Services. Please check the agenda for the location of the regular meeting.
Trust Board Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the current fiscal year Trust Board regular meetings and special meetings can be found below.
For prior years, please visit the ARCHIVE OF ANNUAL REPORTS & TRUST BOARD MEETING MINUTES.
FY 2024 Monthly Minutes
October | November | December | January | February | March
April | May | June | July | August | September
Trust Board Members
Members of the Trust Board are appointed by the four Partners of the Reserve (National Park Service, Washington State Parks, Island County and town of Coupeville). There are nine members, seven are volunteers. If you’re interested in joining the Trust Board, please contact the Island County Commissioner’s office or the town of Coupeville.
Position 1 - Town of Coupeville
Alix Roos, Trust Board Secretary
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 2 - Town of Coupeville
Position is currently open
This position is currently unfilled. If you are interested in representing the town of Coupeville on the Trust Board, please contact Town Hall at 360.678.4461.
Position 3 - Town of Coupeville
Jen Schmitz, Trust Board Treasurer
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.
Position 4 - Island County
Position is currently open.
This position is currently unfilled. If you are interested in representing the Island County on the Trust Board, please contact Commission Bacon’s office at 360.679.7354.
Position 5 - Island County
Jeff Sturm, Trust Board Chair
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.
Position 6 - Island County
Alan Hancock
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.
Position 7 - Island County At-Large
Heather McCoy, Trust Board Vice Chair
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.
Position 8 - Washington State Parks & Recreation
John Whittet, Central Whidbey Island Parks Area Manager
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.
Position 9 - National Park Service
Elexis Fredy
Superintendent of San Juan National Historical Park