With the supervisors' approval, the Open Space District will now match the Marin Community Foundation's $1,050,000 contribution toward the $2.1-million sale.

"This is the most excited I've ever been about an Open Space District purchase," said Supervisor Gary Giacomini.

Supervisor John Kress added, "It's a magnificent parcel. This is a great day for the Open Space District, and a great day for the county."

The acquisition is the largest Open Space District purchase ever.

Although the appraised value of the property exceeds $4 million, developers Dennis Horne and Sid Hendricks agreed to the $2.1 million price during the roughly 10 months of negotiation.

The Skye Ranch sale, when combined with 400 acres of existing open space on the western ridge above Lagunitas, will create a 6.5-mile stretch of open space from Cascade Canyon in Fairfax to Samuel P. Taylor Park.

Developer Horne explained that 28 Skye Ranch lots are not included in the deal. Those lots are all on the edge of existing towns, including the 16 lots in Woodacre's Bates Canyon, which already have been developed with roads and utility hook-ups.

"This purchase creates a bridge between Central Marin and the Western Parklands," said Kinsey, who called the acquisition "a lifetime dream of the San Geronimo Valley."

Berensmeier also lauded the supervisors' decision, commenting that the purchase will protect at least three species of rare plants not mentioned in the original Environmental Impact Report for the Hendricks-Horne subdivision.

Skye Ranch also contains the world's largest grove of dwarf Sergeant Cypress trees.