FREELAND, Wash. - Jerry Lloyd proudly places another piece of green on the fund-raising thermometer.
After five months of bake sales, car washes and cold calls, he and other volunteers have helped raise more than $3 million to save Trillium Woods.
For Lloyd, it's personal.
"Six or seven years ago, I met a World War II fighter pilot and he started the M Bar C Ranch, and he and some of his buddies are the reason the trails are there and I made a promise to keep them here, and I'm trying hard," he said.
Lloyd and the community volunteers found the opportunity to make that promise last spring after a real estate developer backed out of plans to develop the 664 acres of lush forest land.
"This is just the perfect opportunity to protect what I loved so much as a child and I want to preserve it for my children," said volunteer Jessica Larson.
They're close, but not done yet. They have 7 days to raise $600,000 and they're pulling out all of the stops.
"One person has stepped forward and said she will match the first $100,000 that is given between now and the 10th of September," said Whidbey Camano Land Trust president Tom Cahill.
Cahill says the trust is also raising $50,000 to cover expenses for the upkeep of the land for the next 5 to 7 years.
"We have great partnerships with the county and we will remain partners because we will be holding the conservation easement."
Lloyd says they've conquered amazing feats in just five months. He's already looking forward to the celebration party and keeping his promise.
"A lot of it is just what Whidbey Island is historically about, the community gets together and get 'er done."
The deadline to raise the funds is September 10.
For more information go to http://www.savetheforestnow.org and Whidbey Camano Land Trust at http://www.wclt.org/
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