In mid-July, 2006 a local citizens group called Save The Trees sprang into action when a “For Sale” sign went up on South Whidbey’s Wilbert Trail. The well-used trail crossed a privately-owned 7.3-acre parcel adjacent to South Whidbey State Park. This parcel contains a critical portion of the Wilbert Trail, leading to an ancient cedar tree within a protected old growth forest inside the State Park.

Save The Trees galvanized local citizens to save the trail and parcel. They point out that if a buyer developed or clear-cut the parcel, it would compromise the trail, pose a threat to the edge of the old growth forest and potentially damage the ancient cedar as wind patterns change with nearby logging.

Because of the parcel’s significance, within days of the property going on the market, a local conservationist quickly stepped forward with a purchase offer in order to take it off the market. The buyer specified that this move was to give the Whidbey Camano Land Trust time to help put solution together.

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust brought our expertise in land conservation strategies, knowledge of potential funding sources and objective position to this issue. We worked with local and state partners to put together the following solution that led to permanent protection.

In October 2006, the property was added to South Whidbey State Park. Island County holds a conservation easement on the property. All passive recreational development, maintenance and operation costs are incurred by State Parks.

The purchase price of the unprotected parcel was $383,000. The Whidbey Camano Land Trust and Save The Trees worked with Washington State Parks to secure the State’s commitment to pay up to half of the appraised value of the property. Similarly, the Island County Commissioners approved $187,000 in Conservation Futures funding to match State Parks. 

Washington State Parks received the results of an independent appraisal they were required to obtain prior to acquisition. Unfortunately, the appraisal valued the Wilbert trail parcel at less than the purchase price and the amount that State Parks can legally pay to acquire the parcel. 

Thanks to more than 50 generous donors, all funds needed to acquire the trail parcel were raised and the well-loved trail is now part of South Whidbey State Park

Hiking the Wilbert Trail
Seattle PI names Wilbert Trail "Hike Of The Week: Simple pleasures in beautiful settings on Whidbey Island".

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Wilbert Trail Renamed in Honor of Activists
Acting on a request by Save The Trees, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission recently named 7.4 acres of South Whidbey State Park the Ryan Addition, after Whidbey conservationists Al and Maurine Ryan.

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