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 are generally held at the Coupeville Library and workshops at the Fort Casey Conference Room. Regular meetings are streamed via Zoom video conference; workshops are held in person. 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 consult the agenda for a link. Please contact staff if needed. 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:
** Workshops are typically held the 2nd Thursday of each month, 3:30pm to 5:30pm, in the Law & Justice Conf. Room #131. There will be no workshop in December.
** Our November 2026 Trust Board meeting will be held from 3:00 - 5:00 on November 25th at the Coupeville Library. Our December Trust Board meeting will be held December 18 from 3:30 - 5:30 at the Coupeville Library. Regular Meetings are typically held the 4th Thursday of each month, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, at the Coupeville Library as space is available.
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 2025 Monthly Minutes
October | November | December | January | February | March
April | May | June | July | August | September
The Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is a 9-member board of individuals appointed by the four governmental Partners of the Reserve (National Park Service, Washington State Parks, Island County and town of Coupeville). 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 Vice Chair
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. 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.
Position 2 - Town of Coupeville
Lynda Austin, Trust Board Chair
Lynda moved to the Reserve in 1997. She lived in one of the turn-of-the-century officers’ quarters at Camp Casey for 10 years while raising her three daughters. In 2006, she was hired by the Trust Board of Ebey’s Landing NHR as the Office Manager. From 2008-2009, she was employed by the Trust Board as the Education Coordinator and worked with the Reserve Manager and Trust Board to develop, implement, and coordinate Ebey’s Reserve’s 30th-anniversary education program that became the Trust Board’s first annual conference on November 7 & 8, 2008. Lynda works for Island County and is the Director of Human Services.
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
Spencer Johnson
Spencer moved to Whidbey Island in 2014 after completing flight school with the U.S. Navy. He had the privilege of living and flying in the Pacific Northwest for eight more years before leaving active duty service in 2022. He and his wife fell in love with the region and have developed a distinct appreciation for the Reserve's scenic beauty and historic charm. They can often be found wandering the Kettles' trails with their two young daughters or working in the garden at home. Spencer's interests include running, mountain biking, mountaineering, home improvement, history, and ecology.
Position 5 - Island County
Jared van der Duim
Jared is a technology professional with years of experience in software engineering and product leadership across multiple industries. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science along with several technical and professional certifications. A longtime resident of Island County, he and his family live and work within the Reserve. With a deep commitment to community, stewardship, and sustainability, Jared is passionate about preserving the Reserve's unique cultural and historical landscape for future generations. He is particularly interested in the intersection of heritage conservation, public engagement, and long-term land use planning. Outside of work, Jared enjoys hiking, sailing, and gardening.
Position 6 - Island County
Georgie Smith
Georgie Smith is a 4th generation Ebey’s Prairie native and farmer. Born and raised in Coupeville, Georgie founded and ran the popular Willowood Farm of Ebey’s Prairie for 20 years. Passionate about farmer livelihoods and agricultural systems, Georgie now works as a writer and strategic communicator for national and international agriculture businesses and organizations. Georgie lives with her husband, cats, dogs and chickens in a renovated granary in the heart of Ebey’s Prairie.
Position 7 - Island County At-Large
Position is currently open
If you are interested in serving on the Trust Board in the At-Large position, please contact the office of Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon.
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 Island National Historical Park
Lex Fredy is Superintendent of San Juan Island National Historical Park and provides operational oversight for Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. Lex is the appointed representative the National Park Service on the Trust Board.
