Inaugural event, Breazeale Interpretive Center

Edna Breazeale and Don Moos

Edna, state Rep. Joan Houchen and U.S. Rep. Al Swift

State Dept. of Agriculture Director Don Moos

Governor John Spellman

Edna and U.S. Congressman Al Swift

It was a day of dignitaries in 1980 when Edna Breazeale took center stage at an inaugural public event at the new Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Skagit County. Evidence of the significance of the Breazeale Family contribution to this reserve was attendance (and speeches) by elected leaders including Governor John Spellman, U.S Congressman Al Swift, state Director of Agriculture Don Moos, state Rep. Joan Houchen and a smattering of city and county representatives. The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was created by the Washington Legislature and U.S. Congress in 1980, boasting the largest contiguous eelgrass bed in the lower 48 states. The Breazeale family was instrumental in protecting Padilla Bay. John Henry and Anna Marie Breazeale had worked a farm on the shore of Padilla Bay in 1897, raising their three children with a strong conservation ethic. Because of this, Edna, Marcellus, and Fred developed a relationship with nature that later fueled efforts to protect Padilla Bay. “We’d all grown up in the area and had enjoyed being children here,” said Edna. “We wanted it kept this way so others could enjoy it. So many places are closed now — there are signs everywhere saying keep off the beach, keep off this and that. But there should be places where children can see how things grow naturally.” The state Department of Ecology is responsible for administering and managing the Reserve, dedicated to research and education about the Salish Sea. Click here for more information. (Photos by Steve Berentson)