The Bainbridge Island Land Trust, with its partners, the BI Metro Park and Recreation District and the BI Parks & Trails Foundation, announced May 2 that the collaborative campaign has reached its goal of raising over $2.2 million to protect the 38-acre parcel at Grand Forest East.

The campaign was announced two months ago, following the announcement by the Bainbridge Island School District to surplus the property in February. The park district purchased the land, which will be preserved for recreation and conservation, per a news release.

The community responded with contributions from hundreds of supporters, including a gift from a private conservation fund established by an Island family, allowing the campaign to reach its goal in a short timeframe. The parcel has been managed as part of the Grand Forest parkland for more than 30 years, even though it was owned by the school district as a possible school site.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Bainbridge Island community for its overwhelming support for the Stand for the Grand Forest campaign,” said Cullen Brady, BI Land Trust executive director. “This collaboration has been a wonderful example of how we can come together to protect the Island’s most cherished places. This campaign demonstrated the strength and unity of this community by ensuring this land remains in public ownership.”

The property, which is part of the greater Grand Forest, serves as a critical wildlife corridor and habitat for numerous species, including the pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, and flying squirrel, per the release. The land will continue to be used by hikers, runners, cyclists, birdwatchers, and equestrians, who have long utilized the established trail network.