Verandah in Fort Myers Wins Environmental (ENVY) Award

By Leanne Paynter | 3:05 PM on Oct. 4, 2006 | Florida Real Estate Blog

Verandah, a master-planned community located on almost 1,500 acres along the Orange River in Fort Myers, has won the 20th Residential Environmental Award from the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). The award, popularly known as the ENVY, was presented recently at FAR’s 90th annual Convention and Trade Expo in Hollywood, Florida.

“Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Florida Association of Realtors’ Environmental Award has become THE one to win for builders of high-quality, environmentally responsible communities in Florida,” said 2006 FAR President Mike Dooley, in presenting the award. “Today, the ENVY Award recognizes the one residential development -- Verandah -- that best preserves our state’s natural quality of life.

The Bonita Bay Group serves as developers for Verandah, which opened for sales in February 2003.

Judges praised this development for the efforts taken to preserve the area's natural elements, such as setting aside nearly 70 percent of its land for open spaces, including nature preserves, parks, lakes and a conservation buffer for the riverfront. Developers also designed Verandah to reduce its wildfire threat, and thus became one of the first developments nationally to receive a Firewise Communities USA designation.

"Verandah was created with a deep respect for the environment, and receiving the ENVY Award confirms what we do as a company -- build communities in harmony with nature," said Kitty Green, vice president of The Bonita Bay Group. "At Verandah, we created a strict plan for protecting the community’s delicate ecosystems -- from historic riverfront to upland and wetland preserves."

As part of the ENVY award criteria, a judging panel of planning professionals reviewed the development’s preservation of the land’s native flora and fauna, the blending of the community with its surrounding environment, common areas such as nature trails and playgrounds, family recreation and safety, streets, drainage, sanitation and marketability.

Judges noted that Verandah was the state's "pioneer" in demonstrating how a community can be planned and developed following environmentally sustainable and green building practices. It received Florida's first green development designation from the Florida Green Building Coalition, which recognizes the community's commitment to responsible site development, natural resource and wildlife conservation, and green building practices.

Realtors throughout Florida commend Verandah for demonstrating that high-quality, environmentally conscious development makes good business sense.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Florida Birds - Florida Audubon Society

By Leanne Paynter | 5:42 AM on Jun. 1, 2006 | Florida Real Estate Blog

There are many things that cause an average of 1,000 people per day to move to Florida.  Aside from our generally sunny days, I believe that one of the reasons that makes Florida living more enjoyable is the great outdoors or, more specifically, it's environment and wildlife.  If you share this belief and would like to learn more about Florida's birds, then you may want to visit the wonderfully informative website of the Florida Audubon Society.

While at the Florida Audubon Society's website you can learn about the various Florida waterbirds including a few of my personal favorites - the herons, egrets and ibis' - as well as one of the more interesting ones - the Florida burrowing owl, the mascot of my alma mater, Florida Atlantic University.  You'll also learn about the Florida Audubon Society's ongoing involvement in the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem, as well as Lake Okeechobee sanctuaries,  the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and the Florida Keys Environmental Restoration Fund which is used to restore, enhance and manage Florida Keys natural areas. 

• View past editions of Florida Naturalist - the Florida Audubon Society's signature magazine.
• Locate Audubon Chapters in Florida.