Save Mount Diablo is one step closer toward its goal of purchasing a portion of land considered by conservationists with the organization to be a crucial piece of the "Missing Mile" that would connect open spaces across the mountain and its outskirts.

The organization received a $50,000 grant from the private family Firedoll Foundation according to an announcement earlier this month, which alone accounts for 10% of the organization's $500,000 fundraising goal to purchase the Krane Property adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park, which has been eyed by Save Mount Diablo since its founding in 1971.

“Environmental conservation has been a priority for Firedoll Foundation from its beginnings more than 20 years ago, and so the Firedoll Foundation gladly supports the efforts of Save Mount Diablo in its mission to strategically acquire lands for conservation and preservation," said Stephen Hoeft, Firedoll Foundation Program Officer.

"The Firedoll Foundation and Save Mount Diablo have aligned goals to preserve for the future the natural environments here in Contra Costa County, a place where over a million people and numerous wild plants and animals all call home," he added.

Organizers with Save Mount Diablo have been eying the property closely since inception of the conservation organization, and hoping not to see it be acquired by developers as they raise funds to purchase the property and incorporate it into the open space in the state park and surrounding areas.

"... The Firedoll Foundation has long understood the importance of protecting at risk open space properties within Mount Diablo’s Missing Mile," said Ted Clement, executive director for Save Mount Diablo.

Clement added that Firedoll Foundation funding had been critical for funding conservation efforts for other portions of the "Missing Mile" properties sought by Save Mount Diablo.

"In 2016, the Firedoll Foundation provided funds to help us protect North Peak Ranch within the Missing Mile," Clement said. "Last year, we protected the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association land within the Missing Mile, also with Firedoll Foundation support."

The $500,000 sought in order to purchase Krane Pond consists of two $25,000 options that would hold the property and $50,000 for stewardship and transaction costs, along with $400,000 for the purchase of the property.

As Save Mount Diablo organizers continue to raise funds, they are currently surveying the property in preparation for maintenance and stewardship efforts upon planned acquisition.