The recent deal the city of Thousand Oaks made to purchase most of the Mount Clef Ridge as open space is a great step, but it's not enough, say local open space advocates.

The agreement preserves three of four lots, or 18.7 of the total 26 acres, with a 600-footwide unrestricted wildlife corridor. The fourth lot would be developed into one single-family home by the property owner.

Members of Save Our Ring of Green, an open space advocacy group, want the fourth lot preserved, too. The challenge is a financial one that can be overcome, says Shari Czerwinski, Save Our Ring founder and cochair. Her group is seeking additional funding to buy the remaining property.

The city did consider purchasing the fourth lot, according to City Attorney Amy Albano, but the challenge of time and money prevented that possibility. The owners are already moving forward to obtain entitlements to develop the land, she said.

"I don't know that it's still for sale," Albano said.

The land is a key link between area mountain ranges that serve as a vital wildlife corridor.

"There is scientific proof that any further building in this small choke point between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Susana Mountains would promote the extinction rate of our native plants and animals," states a Save Our Ring of Green press release. "This small area cannot afford even one home built."

At about $129,000 per acre, the deal is the most expensive open space purchase in Thousand Oaks history, far above the $25,000 to $30,000 per acre the city has previously paid for open space.

Money earmarked for the proposed purchase is coming from several sources, including $1.65 million from the city's open space endowment fund. The fund has $3.3 million, but city officials have said they don't want to deplete the fund for one property when there are others that may come up for purchase.

The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency will contribute $100,000, and $500,000 was offered by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Save Our Ring of Green is seeking corporate donations, including a grant from Amgen, and plans to ask the city and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for additional funds to buy the fourth lot.

Czerwinski has urged the city to apply for Proposition 117 funding, the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990, which requires the state to spend at least $30 million a year on wildlife habitat protection. Only public agencies may apply for Prop.117 grants. City officials have told Czerwinski that applying for Proposition 117 funding could slow finalizing a deal.

"The city wants to get what it cannow before the end of this year," Czerwinski said. "The year-end deadline has never been explained very clearly other than a great desire to get through this."

For more information visit www.saveourringofgreen.com