In 2003, Putney Woods was on the approved and funded Trust Land Transfer (TLT) list and appeared to be on its way to permanent protection. But, at the last minute, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust learned that the State was considering either not transferring the property at all or only placing a 30-year timber reservation on the land. The timber reservation option would have meant that after 30 years, Putney Woods would again face the threat of logging, subdivision and development. Within days of the Land Trust sounding the alert, more than 150 emails and letters from concerned citizens supporting permanent protection of the property, flooded Olympia. As a result, the forest was transferred in whole to Island county and saved for both current and future generations.
This 600 acres of forst land provides the following public benefits: non-motorized recreational trail system, mature forest, rare plant community, wildlife habitat, and watershed protection.
Putney Woods is connected to the Metcalf Reserve and the 118-acre Saratoga Woods county park. The Friends of Goss Lake Woods were instrumental in getting the property on the TLT list and have been active in building and maintaining the popular trail system.