A Reserve of knowledge
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve celebrates its 25 birthday this year.
Bob Merrick will speak about the reserve’s first quarter century and its next 25 years when Whidbey Audubon meets at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The church is at Highway 525 and Woodard Road in Freeland.
Merrick is a member of Whidbey Audubon Society and Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve board.
“In Ebey’s Landing, you can see the outlines of European settlement,” Merrick said. “Roads trace the boundaries of original donation land claims.
The reserve’s purpose is to preserve the prairie’s cultural landscape — its farms and homes that reflect early settlement,” he said.
Merrick explained that the reserve ‘s scenic value will be protected as will family farms that he calls “the heart and soul” of Central Whidbey.
Ebey’s Landing preserves open spaces and views that otherwise would be turned into “trophy homes,” Merrick said.
“I feel a tremendous feeling, standing at Sunnyside Cemetery and seeing landscape that hasn’t changed significantly in 150 years,” he said.
“Being on the Reserve’s board is rewarding. I’m prepared to work to preserve what would be developed.”
Whidbey Audubon welcomes everyone to their meetings. There is no requirement to explain the difference between a harrier, a harlequin duck and a hooded merganser.
