Save Mount Diablo fulfilled a 38-year-old wish by purchasing the 165-acre Viera North Peak parcel, formerly known as the Viera Family Ranchland, on Sept. 4.

Viera is located on the eastern slopes of North Peak and crossed by Perkins Canyon. The plot comes complete with two creeks that ultimately flow into Marsh Creek.

“We’re moving quickly in spite of the state’s budget crisis,” said Ron Brown, executive director for Save Mount Diablo (SMD). The property is described as high elevation with views that stretch more than 200 miles. The selling price was $975,000. A down payment of $175,000 came from the Mary Bowerman Fund, SMD’s co-founder and botanist.

This amount, as well as the balance, needs to be paid by March 4. SMD plans a range of fundraising activities.

“We are very excited about this property,” said Julie Seelen, SMD’s development director. “Fundraising activities will include asking individuals for their support and writing grants to foundations. By letting county residents know about the property, we hope to get donations from both current and new supporters. We will be leading tours for potential major funders on the property as well.”

Save Mount Diablo made its first formal offer to acquire the property in 1986, without success, noted Seth Adams, director of land programs. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know this should be a part of the Mt. Diablo State Park,” he added. Owned by a longtime ranching family, the Azevedo-Vieras, the property was placed on the market in 2007 after family matriarch Lucy Viera died in 2002.

The 2,300-foot elevation property, on the slopes of Diablo’s North Peak east of Clayton, is one of the two highest elevation private properties remaining on Mt. Diablo and one of three highest left in Contra Costa County. The property has views to Lassen Peak, the Sierra, Half Dome and Mt. Whitney.

The Viera North Peak parcel is a hot spot for biodiversity, with as many as 50 rare plant species expected or recorded, in addition to a number of rare animal species. Diverse soil types exist due to the complicated geology of the area, along with elevation changes of 1,300 feet.

Botanist Heath Bartosh of SMD’s Land Committee began a botanical survey in May to augment those done over the years. “It has some of the finest serpentine habitat yet to be protected,” he said. “High diversity and many transition zones all packed into 165 acres. I’m predicting we find 50 different rare plant species there.”

The threatened Alameda whipsnake and mountain lions already have been sighted in the vicinity.

According to Seelen, payments may be pledged over three years, 2009-’11.

“The current economic climate means that we will not be able to receive any state funds at this time,” Seelen said. “We are confident that there are many individuals who love this area for the beautiful natural lands who are still able to donate, even if it is less than they were able to a year ago. Moreover, many small donations can make up the large amount needed to fund the acquisition.”

Seelen also has a Plan B: “The Bowerman Fund can provide additional loans to pay for the property by March 2010. Those loans will be paid off once pledged donations and/or grants are received.”

Save Mount Diablo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) conservation organization preserving land on and around Mt. Diablo since 1971, as well as providing education programs to the public.

One of the recent purchases was the Irish Canyon plot in November 2007, part of the Mt. Diablo/Black Diamond Mines Open Space Corridor. Also in 2007, SMD published “Mount Diablo, Los Vaqueros & Surrounding Parks Featuring the Diablo Trail.” It’s the most accurate and up-to-date map of Mt. Diablo’s protected land, now in excess of 90,000 acres.

For additional information, call 947-0642 or visit www.savemountdiablo.org.