Leadership Kitsap Project Impact Interview with Mr. Victor Ulsh, Illahee Stewardship Committee Member
1. What was the project? Illahee Preserve: Promote Access & Awareness of a Heritage Park
The Leadership Kitsap Class of 2012 graduates Zeb Breuckman, Doug Campbell, David Dinkuhn, Jessica Guidry, and Debbie Robinson teamed up with the Illahee Stewardship Committee to increase awareness and access to over 400 acres of community land in the Illahee Preserve. The Leadership Kitsap team made the Illahee Preserve a more user-friendly facility with recycled composite trail markers and using GPS created a map of trails that matched the trail markers. There was an open house and Poker Walk with prizes and hotdogs on May 5, 2012. Festivities were open to the community to create awareness. 
Brief History about the Illahee Preserve: From the “Illahee Preserve” Brochure
“Preserve lands were protected over the years by challenging topography and the fact that a major portion was set aside in 1889 as school trust land.
For nearly 25 years local residents led efforts to protect the area, eventually resulting in Kitsap County purchasing the last 352 acres of school trust lands in 2001.
Since then, the Preserve has grown to over 440 acres through acquisitions and the donation of the 104-acre Rolling Hills Golf Course in 2010. Total acreage now approximates at 572 acres.
The community has targeted an additional 100 acres with the goal of ultimately protecting nearly 700 acres of pristine forest and a major portion of the salmon-bearing Illahee Creek watershed.
Scientific studies have shown that Illahee Creek is being impacted by development which has reduced water levels and caused heavy storm water surges. Both are adversely affecting fish. These studies emphasize the need to continue to protect, preserve, and restore this unique area.”
2. What was your role in the project?
I worked with the Leadership Kitsap team along with Jim Aho as part of the Illahee Stewardship Committee. We coordinated the work on the installation of the trail markers and helped print the brochures. Primarily we served in a supportive role, as needed, for such activities as hosting the Poker Walk and festivities on May 5, 2012, but the Leadership Kitsap team truly provided the leadership to make it successful.
3. What impact did the Leadership Kitsap group have on the project and what was the best outcome?The Leadership Kitsap team made a huge impact in implementing trail markers and a user- friendly map of the trails. Awareness and usage of the Illahee Preserve trails increased significantly since the completion of the project. I was impressed with Leadership Kitsap which previously had not been involved with the Illahee Preserve. The team identified a need, analyzed the need, interviewed trail users, and completed the project successfully. One of the fond memories I have of the Poker Walk and Prizes Community Event Fundraiser was “Illahee Preserves;” the preserves were scrumptious strawberry and raspberry jams.
4. Was the project sustainable? If not, what needs to be done in order for the project to be sustainable
The benefit of the trail markers and trail map carries on. Prior to the trail markers and map, many users would avoid using the trails for fear of getting lost. In order for the map and trail markers to continue to be used and to be accurate, the Illahee Preserve needs two new trails added to the current map. All the current and new trail markers will need to include GPS coordinates in accordance with Kitsap County Parks Department’s new trail requirements. Currently, we have a plan in place for the new trail markers for the new trails and for GPS coordinates to be added to all the trail markers. We have an important need for updating the Illahee Preserve brochure with a revised map including the two new trails.
5. What do you want people to know about Leadership Kitsap?
Leadership Kitsap provides our community with leadership to engage individuals who will look for a need in our community, research it, and coordinate with other community members to efficiently accomplish a project that is beneficial to all in the county. I was very impressed and pleased with what the Leadership Kitsap team in 2012 did for the Illahee Preserve.
6. What would be most beneficial to the maintenance of the project?
The Illahee Preserve has a strong need for a dedication wall or walkway to recognize significant donors and individuals who have helped secure the land now comprising Illahee Preserve. This would be located at the main Almira Drive parking lot and would recognize those parties who have donated and made the Illahee Preserve possible for all to enjoy. It would also help encourage others to get involved and become Illahee Preserve stewards.
Some of the current potential needs at Illahee Preserve include the following:
Complete redesign/overhaul of the website for Illahee Preserve and plan for capable/competent on-going maintenance of the website thereafter; design and create a new updated trail map and brochures; design and create a handicapped interpretative trail; add lighting and security features to the main parking lot; create trails in the newly acquired Timbers Edge portion of Illahee Preserve; Create a trail along the power line section of Illahee Preserve; Consider design and installation of appropriate and attractive native plantings within the Rain Garden at the Almira parking lot. There is potential for a foot bridge over short sections of headwaters run-off of Steele Creek. If you enjoy the outdoors and want to get your hands dirty, then Illahee Preserve can use help pruning and maintaining trails year round. Contact us for more information on how you can participate.
If anyone is interested in attending or helping the Illahee Stewardship Committee, we currently meet the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Pavilion. For additional information, please contact either Jim Aho at (360) 479-1049 [email protected] or Vic Ulsh at (360) 479-6900 [email protected].
Currently, the Illahee Preserve trail map can be found through the website at www.illaheecommunity.org.
Interviewed by Marie Singleton, Leadership Kitsap Alumna, May 2018