The San Juan Preservation Trust has reached their $4.2 million goal for the Campaign for Mount Grant Preserve.

“We are all ecstatic,” said Barbara Courtney, the trust’s director of philanthropy. “We spent two years raising money for this and the community came out tremendously.”

More than 850 donors contributed more than 1,200 donations to the campaign, totaling $2.7 million, according to a press release. This includes $1 million to maintain the property, including building trails and other visitor amenities, said Courtney. The San Juan County Land Bank purchased half the property for $1.5 million and will now own and manage the property, while the trust has a conservation easement over it. The public will be included in the management plan.

“We will listen carefully and work hard to accommodate as many ideas and requests as possible,” said Doug McCutchen, preserve steward for the Land Bank.

The 141-acres provides native plant and animal habitat, old-growth Douglas firs, wildflower meadows and walking trails. From the top, one is rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views including Mount Baker and the Cascade Range, San Juan Valley and Lopez Island, and north to the Canadian Gulf Islands.

The Mount Grant Preserve gate is next open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 15 and Feb. 19. For information, call 378-2461 or visit sjpt.org/mountgrant.

Contributed photo/San Juan Preservation Trust staff archive