We have before us the rarest of opportunities: The opportunity to save for ourselves and future generations 664 acres of forest, forest that will only become better as the years pass, richer and wilder, offering a much-needed place to recreate.

We all need to contribute in order to make this opportunity a reality. Pennies from some of us, more from those who can give more but we all need to take part.

To those who say we can’t afford this, that taking this land from the tax rolls is something we can’t afford, I ask, “When has development paid for itself?” Development taxes all of us in terms of paying for infrastructure; water delivery, roads, schools, power, surface water management, an endless list of costs developers do not directly cover.

Please contact the Whidbey Camano Land Trust with your contribution (360-222-331, www.SavetheForestNow.org). Some of us can buy an acre, some a foot- print. This is a project we can all come together on, to save a parcel of land that is the heart of Whidbey Island.

Sharon Dunn

Greenbank