Community Leadership
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on Fox Island
John & Lise' Ohlson have been actively involved in working with Fox Island youth for over a decade, mentoring over 37 Eagle Scout candidates, leading and working with Girl Scout Troops, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, organizing community volunteers, and advocating the expansion of recreational opportunities for Fox Island residents.
Serving the youth of the Fox Island community is an important role for FICRA, and John has brought our children together to help serve the community in numerous ways.
Among the youth related accomplishments John has been involved in during the past 11 years:
o 2007 Boy Scout Troop 27 (Boys aged 11 to 17)
o 2010 ... Read More
Fox Island Nature Center
The History of the Fox Island Nature Center
By John Ohlson, FICRA Past President, 2000 - 2010
Summer of 2004
The vision to create a wetlands nature park from the property on 9th Ave began in the summer of 2004, when FICRA President John Ohlson drove past the Nature Center property on the way to FICRA meetings at the Nichols Community Center, often noticing a for sale sign had been posted for quite a while. It appeared that a few previous sales offers had fallen through over the past few months. Noting that the property was in close proximity to the Nichols Center, he decided to take a closer look, to see if FICRA could possibly purchase the property to expand the footprint of the Nichols Center, as a park. He presented the idea to the FICRA Board members at the August 2004 FICRA Meeting, and they agreed to pursue the purchase of the land.
On August 26, 2004, Officers of th... Read More
Community Involvement
What Has been done for FICRA and Fox Island Over the Years?
Whether helping raise the roof on the Nichols Center gazebo, raising walls at the new museum addition, installing new doors on the Nichols Center, or running games for the children or organizing the FICRA Fair from 2001 to 2011; John and Lise' have done it all around the Island.
Among the many accomplishments that have taken place during John Ohlson's tenure as FICRA President, are the following:
Community Leadership
Leadership of The Fox Island Community
While President of FICRA for 11 years, John has tirelessly advocated on behalf of the unique interests of Fox Island residents, and continues to do so.
This has been through holding public forum meetings, lobbying with National, State and Local officials to address local concerns, and being constantly on the lookout for issues that pertain to the residents of Fox Island.
In this scene from 2010, Fox Island Boy Scouts from FICRA's Troop 27 work to remove graffiti from the side of the Nichols Center, to prepare the center for an upcomning wedding rental.
This advocacy includes:
o Senator Derek Kilmer, Rep. ... Read More
Fox Island Nature Center
Fox Island association opens wildlife preserve
Brent Champaco, The News Tribune
Published: August 12th, 2005
It might have taken a year, but the Fox Island Community and Recreation Association finally will open its nature center and wildlife preserve Saturday.
The effort to preserve the 5-acre plot is a product of fundraising and sweat from residents, said John Ohlson, the association’s president.
The push started last summer, when the association raised more than $40,000 in three months to buy the land. Ohlson said it was one of the most successful campaigns in the island’s history.
Keith Buchanan, a Boy Scout with Gig Harbor Troop No. 282, earned his Eagle Scout by building a 60-foot-long footbridge over a stream and a few fallen trees that cut through the property’s trail and wetlands.
A ceremony is scheduled for noon Saturday in conjunction with the association’s fai... Read More
Fox Island Group Eyes Woods, Wetlands
Kris Sherman; The News Tribune
August 31st, 2004
Download full size image of article
Fox Island residents are hoping to raise at least $25,000 by the end of September to help buy a 5-acre parcel of deep woods and wetlands and preserve it as a shelter for animals and a sanctuary for humans.
The Fox Island Community & Recreation Association wants to buy the land, which lies on Ninth Avenue, 165 feet south of the Nichols Community Center, 'before someone bulldozes the property to build a home,' association president John Ohlson wrote in an e-mail newsletter to island residents.
Ohlson noticed the 'For Sale' sign on the property while driving to a recent association meeting.
'I thought, 'Hmmm, we should look into th... Read More
Community Involvement
FoxIslandWA.net - Fox Island Washington Community Website
Visit Fox Island's Community Website:
The source for Island Events, local news, information on Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts on Fox Island, local business directory and more.
FoxIslandWA.net