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Project EverGreen recently awarded Franklin, Tenn.-based Southern Land Co. with its 2006 Because Green Matters Award for its “enlightened attention to the role green space should play in real estate development.”
According to Den Gardner, Project EverGreen's executive director, “Southern Land Co. exemplifies the spirit and purpose of the Because Green Matters Award. This is easily seen in their philosophy for making landscaping and horticulture an integral part of planning and not just an afterthought. By doing so, they help ensure that both the homeowner and the community can reap the key environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits that well-planned green spaces can provide.” As an example of this, Gardner cites the company’s Westhaven project, a 1,500-acre traditional neighborhood development in Franklin which has 50 percent of its area set aside for green spaces, playing fields, walking trails and lakes.
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Tim Downey, Southern Land Co.'s chief executive officer was honored to receive the award. “From our company’s inception, the natural environment has been an essential component to our philosophy and development model," he says. "We greatly appreciate Project EverGreen’s recognition of our efforts and we pledge to continue preserving green space, trees and plants for many communities to come.”
Founded in 1986, Southern Land Co. has completed 17communities. “They are one of the few real estate development companies to maintain a full-time horticulture staff,” Gardner says. “As such, they are dedicated not only to innovative use of green spaces but to long-term involvement of residents in learning about and enhancing their landscapes.”
Presented last year to the University of Akron, the Because Green Matters award is open to anyone. Interested parties nominate themselves, their companies or other organizations. A group of independent industry experts judge entries and select the winners. To apply for the 2007 Because Green Matters Award, visit www.projectevergreen.com. Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2007. The winner will be notified in March 2007.