One travels through Big Valley in physical terms, but in metaphysical ways, the valley moves through you, transforming some of its inhabitants.

“The valley has changed this family,” attested property owner Mike Dale of Big Valley Road near Poulsbo.

When the 33-year old moved to this 15-acre farm with his wife, Ann, and two children, the thought that they would donate time, resources, and their future, to give back to the land was not part of the plan.

“I have fairly urban roots and we came here from old town Silverdale. It took a couple years to learn what there was, but soon we were sleeping out in our yard just to watch the stars and listen to screech owls. We found out bats were using our farmhouse to go through gestation and last year we counted over 100 young bats flying out of here! They must have been coming here for centuries,” contended Dale.

Beginning with a call to the county for a septic system malfunction, the Dales met with Kitsap Conservation District’s (KCD) Brian Stahl (337-7171 X-23) and discussed farm-operating plans and fencing to protect the stream from large farm animals, a part of the Dales future plans.

Soon the Dales were planning stream restoration and salmon recovery on their stream with KCD, area biologists, Paul Dorn, salmon recovery coordinator for the Suquamish Tribe, and Val Koehler, Kitsap County’s stream team coordinator.

The west fork or main stem of Dogfish Creek is a designated focal watershed for salmon refugia, a term referring to the relatively unimpaired ecological structure and function that supports a significant number of salmonid species and life stages. Focal watershed refugia include migration corridors, spawning and rearing habitat. Some off-channel wetlands still exist and this branch is hydrologically linked to Kinman Creek on the Hood Canal side of the peninsula, according to Dr. Christopher May, Kitsap Salmonid Refugia Study, 2000.

The Dale family was enthusiastic about opportunities to take part in a USDA wetland and conservation program sponsored by the KCD and eager to restore the stream habitat on their property. They removed 4 semi-truckloads of trash and debris that currently filled the area and will install large woody debris, and salmon spawning gravel.

“I think meeting and working with Brian was a blessing to me and my family. I’ve gained a friend and I feel like we can really reach the finish line turning this property back in time when the fish and wildlife flourished. That is the magic of Big Valley, that while I have been working with wood for my career, I have gained a respect and determination to preserve the last good places on earth,” said Dale.

Big Valley Painting & Cabinet Works (360-613-8406) featuring millwork, designer furnishings and cabinetry, is the family business and Dale prides himself on using environmentally responsible practices.

“Big Valley is the least development impacted area in Kitsap with real net gains in habitat protection compared to everywhere else showing higher impacts and encroaching development. There have been more than 20 property owners along Big Valley in the last quarter century to do what the Dales have done, and the Sutter family before them,” observed Dorn.

“With Cliff Dove’s pond, operated by Trout Unlimited, we should see 10,000 chum salmon return, an increase in Coho and Steelhead, with a good chance we’ll see historic levels in the near future returning to good quality habitat,” said Dorn.

In recent years, there has been an influx of people and new businesses, bringing with them fresh changes to the landscape while complementing its rural character and natural environment.

Manor Farm Inn was the first of these to invite guests to stay amongst the historic farms, fertile valley, and commune with wildlife at its edge. Others followed, with their own brand of economic innovation but steering away from the working farm and primarily agricultural function.

The Llama Rose Farm & Gardens, owned by Winifred Whitfield, was a successful llama-breeding farm until its gardens (and talented photographer owner) transformed it into a place to retreat, hold a wedding, or just be in such a beautiful place. While this took precedence over more traditional functions, the 6-acre spread has its own natural spring-fed bottom pond, surrounded by native plants at nature’s edge, while other exotics and diverse gardens offer refuge for birds, insects, and beneficial habitat for wildlife. Frogs ribbit, birds chirp, dragonflies cruise the ponds, and coyotes eerily howl at dusk.

“I have to maintain whole ecosystems in each of these garden environments,” chuckled Whitfield.

It’s no wonder then, that valley owners have taken pride in their environs and may be the first community that Kitsap county exercises the nuisance ordinance on one landowner trying to turn his property into a junk yard for old cars.

“It’s serious,” claims Dale, “I know the owner who moved out because he felt helpless to do anything about that neighbor.”

Yet the Valley ‘peer pressure’ flexed some muscle when over 200 people came out in opposition of any Washington State Department of Transportation plans that would include a North Kitsap bypass or widening of the Big Valley road to alleviate traffic congestion on Hwy. 3 — many of them not even residents.

“I’ve never seen a community get together like that!” exclaimed Dale.

It was representative of how most folks feel about the valley… and their pre-history inhabitants would agree as these owners welcome them back to protected habitats.