Editor,

On behalf of Friends of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, a local fundraising non-profit that supports the reserve, thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Feb. 24 article regarding “Town reconsidering how some funds are allocated.”

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, which consists of more than 17,000 acres in the heart of Whidbey Island, is a multifaceted entity and its role sometimes confuses folks.

Congress established the reserve in 1978 to “preserve and protect a rural community which provides an unbroken historical record from 19th Century… to the present time.” Besides the fact that 85 percent of the land is privately owned, it is unique in the sense that it was mandated that the reserve’s partners: National Park Service, Island County, Town of Coupeville, and Washington State Parks  of which there are two within the reserve — contribute to funding and managing its resources.

The Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is made up of representatives of those partners. By design, the reserve’s partners have contributed funding to the reserve since its inception. It should be no surprise that there is line-by-line budgeting, planning and record keeping that reflect where and how all of its money is spent. The reserve is a partnership containing local, state and federal governments.

The job the Trust Board and the Trust Board staff has managing our pristine resources and keeping the reserve a working, living cultural landscape takes a tremendous amount of planning, work and money, which has unfortunately been cut short due to the current economic climate. Friends of Ebey’s is grateful for the support that our community has given to help fund programming and preservation for the reserve that its partners are currently unable to provide funding for. We are most proud of our work with the community to raise funds for the Trust Board’s Ebey’s Forever Grant Program and its implementation. The grant program, with matching donations from historic building owners, has funneled over $800,000 into our local economy since its inception and saved dozens of historic buildings — keeping this landscape alive and well — as well as keeping visitors flocking to Whidbey Island to witness what we have here.

The reserve is made up of an extended community that understands its limitless value. A value that is not quantifiable.

However, what is quantifiable are the millions of dollars brought into Coupeville from people coming here to experience the sense of connection the reserve offers. The town benefits from being an integral part of the reserve — people come to live, work and visit this breathtaking place because of the way of life the reserve offers.

Thank you to our community along with the reserve’s partners for understanding your vital role in sustaining this remarkable place, which offers a glimpse of the history of humankind through its landscapes.

Alix Roos

Executive Director

Friends of Ebey’s