Rachel Beason, Director of Food Services at Kitsap Community Resources, leads the "Farm to Freezer" program, transforming surplus and imperfect food that would otherwise go to waste into frozen, prepared meals.

These meals are distributed to local food banks and the Meals on Wheels program, keeping thousands of pounds of good food out of the landfill. In 2024 and 2025, Rachel and her team rescued 44,160 pounds of edible food, distributed 11,040 pints and meal trays, and educated 135 adults on food waste prevention and healthy eating.

Rachel is committed to creating culturally informed meals that meet the diverse needs of the community. She also helps people incorporate healthy food into their daily lives.

At the center of her work is collaboration. She partners with AmeriCorps members, the Kitsap Conservation District, and Kitsap Harvest; through these strong community connections, the "Farm to Freezer" program thrives.

Rachel is making a meaningful impact by reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity in Kitsap County.

South Kitsap resident James Heytvelt has dedicated over 37 years to leading community cleanups at the Harper Estuary and Park in Port Orchard.

Rain or shine, he walks the park and estuary daily, collecting litter and connecting with community members. In addition to his hands-on work, James has successfully advocated funding for an upcoming bridge replacement. He continues to work closely with state and county officials to improve the Harper area.

Through ongoing outreach, including the Friends of Harper Pier Facebook group, James inspires community involvement and hopes to pass his efforts on to future generations. His long-standing dedication and commitment make him a highly respected and valued member of the Kitsap community.

Jerry King is a dedicated litter cleanup volunteer in Kitsap County's Adopt a Spot program.

Since joining in July 2022, he has completed 29 cleanups, contributed 109 volunteer hours, and has collected over 262 bags—totaling more than 5,240 pounds of litter cleaned up.

In addition to his volunteer work in Kitsap County, Jerry participates in Pierce County's Adopt a Road program. In 2025 alone, he completed 52 cleanups, collected 482 bags of litter, and covered approximately 400 road miles across Kitsap and Pierce counties.

His exceptional dedication continues to make a meaningful impact to the beauty of the Kitsap Peninsula.

The Anchored 4 Life Club at Hilder Pearson Elementary School in Poulsbo created the city’s first pollinator pathway.

In 2024, student leaders in grades 3 through 5 partnered with the City of Poulsbo, local organizations, and advisors to design and install a thriving pollinator habitat at American Legion Park. Students planned the landscape, selected native plants, improved the soil, and installed mason bee houses and nesting tubes.

In 2025, returning students expanded the project by mentoring younger peers. Together, they maintained nesting tubes, care for overwintering bees, and plant native species.

Students also built marketing skills by designing and selling pollinator-themed stickers to local businesses. This year, the club is collaborating with the community to seek sponsorships to support future bee populations, raising both funds and public awareness.

Their enthusiasm, creativity, and civic engagement make them outstanding environmental stewards of Kitsap County.

Friends of Miller Bay is a North Kitsap grassroots nonprofit dedicated to preserving habitats within the Miller Bay watershed. Its mission focuses on environmental sustainability, community engagement, and education.

Since 1989, the group has protected critical acreage that supports ecosystems, water quality, and aquifer recharge. In 2025, the group planted 200,000 oysters to help restore historic oyster beds and improve habitat conditions. This project involved 112 volunteers who contributed more than 2,000 hours of service.

To date, the organization has raised more than $800,000 to protect more than 450 acres within the watershed. Through partnerships with local organizations, Friends of Miller Bay continues to demonstrate a meaningful, cross-generational commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Newberry Hill Heritage Park Stewards are a dedicated group of volunteers maintaining the 1,082-acre park in Silverdale.

In 2025, the stewards held 115 work parties and contributed 5,764 hours to improving habitat and safety conditions.

Since 2009, their work has included invasive vegetation removal, trail maintenance, culvert replacement, forest inventories, and large-scale cleanup efforts.

Their success is made possible through strong community involvement, including weekly work parties led by the "Over the Hill Gang" and the "Applesauce Gang," and partnerships with local organizations, schools, and service groups. Together, they support habitat restoration, expand public access, and ensure the long-term stewardship of the Newberry Hill Heritage Park.