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Putney Woods (Goss Lake)
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Status |
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Protected in 2003
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Location |
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South Whidbey Island, northwest of the Town of Langley
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Acreage |
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600 acres
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Public Benefits |
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Non-motorized recreational trail system, mature forest, rare plant community, wildlife habitat, watershed protection
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Description |
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In 2003, Putney Woods (formerly known as Goss Lake Woods) was on the approved and funded Trust Land Transfer (TLT) list and appeared to be on its way to permanent protection. But, at the last minute, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust learned that the State was considering either not transferring the property at all or only placing a 30-year timber reservation on the land. The timber reservation option would have meant that after 30 years, Putney Woods would again face the threat of logging, subdivision and development. Within days of the Land Trust sounding the alert, more than 150 emails and letters from concerned citizens supporting permanent protection of the property, flooded Olympia. As a result, the forest was transferred in whole to Island County and saved for both current and future generations.
Putney Woods is connected to the Metcalf Reserve and the 118-acre Saratoga Woods Preserve county park. It includes mature forest and rare plant communities recognized to be of state importance. The Friends of Goss Lake Woods were not only instrumental in getting the property on the TLT list, but also built and maintain the popular trail system on the property.
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Download a trail map. |
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