The 810-acre Panfiglio Ranch is perched in an isolated area on Three Peaks, a 1,160-foot mountain formation visible from Inverness and the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Part of the Rancho Nicasio Mexican land grant, the mountain is among the tallest in the area and overlooks Tomales Bay, with views of Mount Tamalpais to the east.

The land trust purchased the development rights to the ranch as part of a $1.16 million deal announced this week to keep the land bucolic.

"Even in today's market, demand still exists for estate ranchettes and large-acreage holdings," said Robert

The state Department of Conservation provided a grant of $750,000 for the purchase. The remainder of the funds were raised from MALT members and supporters.

Located north of Point Reyes Station near Highway 1, the property links two other ranches protected by MALT easements, providing a permanent wildlife corridor. It becomes part of a continuous band of protected lands totaling more than 7,600 acres in the area.

The property also serves as the headwaters of Grand Canyon and Walker creeks.Ê

It's the latest deal the land trust has put together to keep West Marin green, while in turn boosting agricultural and staving off development.

Created in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists

MALT pays property owners for the development rights to their land. The land can be used for agriculture after the trust acquires rights, but it can't be subdivided. The restriction stays with the land when it is passed on by inheritance or sale.

The deals give ranchers cash to keep their property in agricultural production.

"This is going to help us," said rancher Joe Panfiglio. "In my opinion this is one industry no one takes care of in California, but they do a good job in Marin and you are starting to see these deals in Sonoma now, too. We will put a majority of the money back into our operation."

Brothers Dante and Carlo Panfiglio purchased the property in 1955 and raised Holstein heifers there. After Carlo died, Dante's son Joe and wife Karen purchased his uncle's share in the mid 1990s.

The sale of development rights to MALT enables the family to build up their herd and make infrastructure improvements. The Panfiglio's three adult children - son J.D. and daughters Christa and Carla - are all involved in agriculture in Marin and Sonoma counties and will eventually take over the ranch.

"We are pleased to be able to provide a conservation option to the sale of the property, to the Panfiglio family and help them keep the land in productive agriculture," Berner said.