The Pacific Rim Institute of Environmental Stewardship secured enough funding to purchase the 175-acre property in Coupeville it has leased since 2009.

The Christian-based, nonprofit environmental institute raised enough of its fundraising goal of $443,000 to buy the property from the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies.

It will continue to raise funds to cover some urgent repairs to the property. However, the most pressing matter was to reach a December deadline to take ownership of the land.

Contributions from several individual donors, a no-interest loan from one individual and a steeply discounted price from the Au Sable Institute made the Dec. 15 purchase possible, said Holly Syreen, development director of the Pacific Rim Institute.

“We’re extremely grateful to all the contributors from Whidbey Island and beyond who’ve helped make this possible,” said Robert Pelant, the institute’s chief executive officer.