Kitsap County’s 2025 Earth Day Award recipients were announced April 11, highlighting the work of four individuals and two groups.

Each recipient and group was recognized at the April 14 Kitsap County Board of Commissioners meeting and received a one-of-a-kind award to honor their environmental achievements. This year’s award was designed and created by Melissa Pothier, a local Port Orchard artist.

John Mikesell

Mikesell has been a Kitsap County volunteer for 17 years. Upon Kitsap acquiring Chico Salmon Park in 2007, he began his quest to restore the parcel to what it is today. He has devoted nearly 5,000 hours leading restoration projects, educating visitors of all ages, and being a steward of the land, per a news release.

As a master gardener and native plants expert, Mikesell has personally labeled plants throughout Chico Salmon Park and Erlands Point Preserve and crafted trail signs to guide visitors. He has organized over 160 work parties and remains a driving force behind conservation efforts. His artistic touch can be seen in a hand-carved salmon sculpture at the park.

At 91 years old, Mikesell continues to be a familiar face at Chico Salmon Park as both a salmon docent and stream steward. During the fall salmon migration and Kitsap Salmon Tours, he dedicates seven days a week to educating visitors about the fish, water quality, and stream ecology, while also participating in Salmon in the Classroom activities. In addition, he leads an educational series at the Hansville Greenway, mentoring students from Catalyst Charter School.

“If you see a silver-haired individual picking up trash or caring for native plants, it’s probably John,” said Aaron Bartleson, Kitsap County Parks natural resources coordinator.

Jane Martin

Martin has been involved in waste reduction and community sustainability for over 14 years. As the leader of the Zero Waste Bainbridge Tableware Lending Library, she has helped prevent thousands of items from being bought or discarded, promoting borrowing over buying new. She advocates for reuse and reduction throughout the county by volunteering at Kitsap Fix-it Fairs as a jewelry fixer, serving as an ambassador at Zero Waste discard stations, hosting booths at farmer’s markets, and sorting metal bi-weekly.

For 12 years, Martin has led the Green Team at the annual Bainbridge Rotary Rummage Sale. She is also the co-founder of the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project, which began 20 years ago to repurpose donated jewelry. She sorts, repairs, and sells the jewelry to raise funds for women’s shelters. Additionally, her work provides jewelry to women in shelters, children, and theater groups.

Jon Almquist

Almquist is a volunteer in Kitsap County’s Adopt a Spot program. Since moving to Kitsap in 2021, he has been involved in the Adopt a Road program, which has since been rebranded as Adopt a Spot.

He has adopted 6.25 shoulder miles. Throughout his time, Almquist has submitted 104 cleanup reports, logged 215 hours, and collected 128 bags of litter, which amounts to an impressive 2,560 pounds of trash removed from his Hansville/Eglon neighborhood.

“My goal is to keep these roads the cleanest in Kitsap County,” he said. “Not seeing any litter on them while driving is reward enough for me.”

Dillon Corson

Corson is an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist and qualified tree risk assessor serving Kitsap County, and also owns Holistic Tree Care.

His tree preservation and sustainability work enhances air quality, strengthens soil stability, and supports local ecosystems and wildlife, per the news release.

Beyond his work in tree care, Corson contributes to the community by enriching public spaces, repurposing trees into wildlife habitats, and educating residents on the role of urban forestry in biodiversity.

Neurodiverse Students Conservation Corps

NSCC, led by Morgan Houk and Cody Ogren, provides neurodivergent high school students—an underrepresented group in the conservation field—with employment-based learning opportunities. Through hands-on conservation work in Bainbridge Island parks, participants gain outdoor education and job experience.

In 2024, the crew restored four parks, removed 60 yards of invasive species, identified over 15 plant species, spread 10 yards of woodchip mulch, and planted hundreds of native plants. Beyond ecological improvements, the program fosters teamwork, leadership, and real-world job skills.

Lost Creek Lane Road Committee

The committee, led by Monica and Eric Phillips, tackled a stormwater issue affecting Wildcat Lake.

Lost Creek Lane NW—an unpaved private road serving more than 60 land parcels—had been steadily eroding, sending muddy runoff into a nearby ditch. The runoff violated both Kitsap County Code and state water quality standards. Turbid (muddy) water doesn’t just reduce stream clarity—it also carries harmful pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and pathogens. These contaminants can degrade ecosystems and pose risks to public health.

Despite the challenge of coordinating with over 60 parcel owners, the committee successfully met all compliance deadlines, secured community funding, hired a contractor, and completed vital improvements—including paving the road, installing water bars, and reinforcing ditches.

Neurodiverse Students Conservation Corps

Dillon Corson

Jon Almquist

John Mikesell