A state grant is going to help finalize the seven million dollar purchase of a wildlife corridor of largely undeveloped land on Highway 101 between Thousand Oaks, and Calabasas.
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Los Angeles County have been working on a plan to buy, and preserve Chesebro Meadow, 71 acres of land just north of Highway 101 on the Liberty Canyon area. The Conservancy pledged $2.55 million dollars, and LA County $1.1 million dollars.
Now, the State Wildlife Conservation Board approved the final $3.35 million dollars needed for the purchase. The money came from a state bond issue approved by voters in 2002.
What makes the acquisition especially important is its proximity to a proposed Highway 101 wildlife overpass, which would allow mountain lions, deer, and other animals to safely cross between the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area, and the Simi Hills. A private fundraising campaign is underway for the project, which if completed would be the largest wildlife crossing in the world.
