To the editor:

Time is running out. The Whidbey Camano Land Trust has only until June 10 to raise $4.2 million to preserve the 664-acre Trillium land.

Once forest land is developed — paved and parked out — most changes are both irreversible and detrimental to the long-term needs of a community.

Economic studies between 1989 and 2009 reported by the Trust for Public Land show that providing infrastructure to housing developments almost “always costs more than the community expects to gain in taxes and other benefits.” Septic systems, roads, water, electricity, telephones, fire service and police protection require an enormous amount of our tax dollars. And we pay far into the future.

On the other hand, healthy forests provide numerous benefits that don’t cost us one penny: forests contribute to clean air and water, offer recreational opportunities (hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, hunting), provide wildlife habitat and attract tourists.

Here we have a chance to do things right. If this forest is left as forest rather than turned into housing sprawl, we can protect open space and be better off economically.

It’s not too late to contribute and help save the largest undeveloped piece of land left on Whidbey Island — visit savetheforestnow.org for more information. They aren’t making forests anymore — we better save the little bit we have.

Diane Stone

Clinton