Collaboration is Key
National Reserves are areas of land and water containing nationally significant resources in which Federal, State and/or local governments combine efforts to manage, protect and interpret the valued resources. Ebey's Reserve is known for its significant resources, it also represents the vision that government and citizens can work together to manage these resources. Quite a task in an area with more than 400 National Register structures, three state parks, a unit of the National Park System, the historic town of Coupeville and many popular preserves, trails, parks and beaches. At Ebey’s Reserve, this collaboration occurs through a Trust Board representing four government partners: National Park Service, Island County, town of Coupeville, and Washington State Parks.
The Reserve exists because the four partners and other community stakeholders have worked together. This is the successful working example of a National Historical Reserve.