Green Communities
Welcome to the Green Communities home page! The communities of Harmony (Central Florida) and Madera (Gainesville, Florida) were designed with the idea that people and nature can coexist. Residents have many opportunities to learn about and explore their environment. For example, with lakes and natural areas nearby, one can hear and see a variety of wildlife species. The connection between humans and nature is an important one. Our economy, culture, and even politics are closely tied to the environment. Many Floridians wish to preserve our natural heritage and conserve natural resources for future generations, and each person can make a difference.
The goal of this website is to provide environmental information so that each homeowner can make informed decisions and take action. Many features in Harmony & Madera make them one step closer to becoming a community that conserves natural resources (e.g., water, energy, and wildlife). Construction of energy-efficient homes and buildings, preservation of open space, landscaping with native plants, and conservation of natural areas and wildlife are just a few ways the Town of Harmony & Madera Neighborhood have become such unique places to live.
However, in order for Harmony & Madera to function as “green” communities, each resident must make a conscious effort to environmentally manage their homes, yards, and neighborhoods. We invite you to learn more – please use the links below to visit each community.
Are you a developer and want to build a green community? Here is an excellent resource guide and checklist from the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Interested in international examples of urban communities that conserve biodiversity? A symposium was held at the international conservation biology conference in Auckland, New Zealand - December 7, 2011. The symposium was titled Conserving Biodiversity in Urban Environments: Engaging Policymakers, Developers, and Citizens. Please check here for links to case studies, policies, and working examples where communities have implemented ways to promote urban biodiversity conservation.
Location: http://yourdomain.edu