The San Diego County Board of Supervisors gave preliminary approval Wednesday to purchase about 345 acres of open land west of Escondido for $4 million.
Supervisor Dianne Jacob said the acquisition would "help preserve important habitat" as part of the county's Multi-Species Conservation Program. "It will also provide a suitable connection for the trans-county trail and future trails for the city of Poway."
About 240 acres is in the Escondido Creek Preserve near Harmony Grove Road, which is part of a network of preserves that consist of about 1,400 acres.
The area is a California gnatcatcher habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bird as a threatened species in 1993 due to development of its habitat.
In addition to the purchase price, about $300,000 will be spent on surveys, installing signs, erosion control, vegetation management and staff salaries.
The rest of the open space, about 100 acres, is part of the Goodan Ranch Preserve, west of state Route 67 near Poway. The land was appraised at $810,000, and about a quarter of the cost will be covered by a state Habitat Conservation Fund grant.
The trans-county trail is a series of walking paths that run between Torrey Pines State Beach and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The county is working with five other agencies to connect the trail's various segments.
A final hearing on the purchases is scheduled for Dec. 3.
