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National Tree Preservation Awards Received by NAHB Members

The annual awards are sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with NAHB and Firewise Communities.

“Trees clean the air, reduce soil erosion, protect rivers and streams, and improve energy efficiency in homes,” said NAHB President Bobby Rayburn. “By preserving trees and planting new ones, these builders and developers have enhanced the beauty and character of their communities, and we congratulate them for their outstanding conservation efforts and commitment to the ideals of green building.”

At the foundation’s national conference in October, the awards will be presented to NAHB members in the following categories:

• Residential, two to 25 lots — Mitchell & Best Homebuilders LLC, Rockville, MD, won for Endicott Hill, Bethesda, MD, which is comprised of eight homes distributed over six acres of forest. Homes were planned in pockets where few trees grew, which helped to preserve the denser forestation. A common driveway for six of the eight homes was installed to minimize paving, and preventing yard expansions through forest understory landscaping also helped preserve trees in this project. Surveys of prospective home buyers found that the trees were a strong selling point.

• Residential, 26-100 lots — Mitchell & Best Homebuilders LLC also was recognized for its Bancroft development in Sandy Springs, MD, where 70% of the development’s 100 acres was left untouched. Ensuring preservation of trees on the site required extensive coordination of efforts from the developer, subcontractors, local utilities, the county government and excavators. Bancroft was named the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association’s 2003 Environmental Development of the Year.

• Residential Attached Housing — This award was given to Residential Development Group, Crystal Lake, IL, for Tall Oaks Townhouses, an eight-lot community built on a five-acre site where all of the existing oak trees were preserved. Reduced lot sizes and shorter front yards, limited sidewalks and the installation of private roads were instrumental in saving the trees. The developer also worked with utility companies to locate easements in areas that would not affect additional trees.

• Mixed Use — Baldwin Park Development Company was honored for Baldwin Park in Orlando, FL. The company worked with a tree expert to evaluate and catalog more than 600 trees, identify those that were viable and protect and relocate them during the redevelopment of this former training center for the Navy. The developer worked with the Audubon Society in planning parks and enhancing existing lakefront wetland areas. After the project’s initial phases, 150 trees were pruned and transplanted, more than 2,000 new trees were planted and barriers were installed to preserve an additional 20 trees.

A panel of experts and professionals in urban forestry and planning, home building and commercial development selected the award winners.

For additional information, e-mail Edward Tombari at NAHB or call him at 800-362-5242 x8309.

Mark Your Calendar for the 2005 National Green Building Conference

The 2005 National Green Building Conference is scheduled for March 13-15, in Atlanta. Click here for more information.

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