- Cypress Highlands Natural Area Preserve (dnr.wa.gov)
Located on the largest undeveloped island in the San Juan Archipelago, this preserve comprises 1,072 acres on Cypress Island and includes rare freshwater wetlands and native fescue grasslands on rocky balds. The preserve also protects natural forests indicative of the dry, “rain-shadow” location, including Douglas-fir, Pacific madrone, lodgepole pine, and seaside juniper.
- Port Orchard — Thumbnail History (historylink.org)
Port Orchard, located in south Kitsap County, was platted as Sidney in 1886 by Frederick Stevens, who wanted to name the future town after his father, Sidney Merrill Stevens. He chose a site on the southern shore of the Sinclair Inlet, part of Port Orchard Bay. Sidney quickly became became known for its lumber industry, pottery works, small businesses, and agricultural opportunities…