The potential for nature and development to live in harmony is well established. The Urban Land Institute (ULI), one of the nation’s leading land use research organizations, has acknowledged many developers nationwide who have built to a high level of environmental stewardship.

The ULI’s “The Practice of Sustainable Development” (2000) lists the following developments as examples of how planned communities and nature can successfully co-exist.

• Santa Lucia Preserve, Carmel, Calif. Designed in ecological clusters surrounded by a natural area, 18,000 acres have been preserved and restored. Extensive site analysis and computer modeling has provided the framework for sensitive design and long-term stewardship. Developers “marketed land stewardship as a primary lure for buyers willing to pay premiums to preserve open space and support sustainable practices in community and building designs” according to the ULI. www.santaluciapreserve.com

• Hidden Springs, Idaho. Homes in Hidden Springs were clustered to retain the hilly landscape as a visual and environmental asset. A working farm of 85 acres has been set aside, according to the ULI, which serves to “reflect sustainability principles and, not incidentally, provide residents with a distinctive and valued amenity.” www.hiddensprings.com

• Prairie Crossing, Ill. Wetlands filter stormwater and recharge aquifers while providing attractive views for nearby homes in this 667-acre development near Chicago. Notes the ULI book: “Prairie Crossing’s natural system of stormwater management reduced infrastructure costs by more than $1 million compared with a conventional curb, gutter and storm sewer system.” www.prairiecrossing.com

• Dewees Island, S.C. Dewees Island adopted rigorous restrictions on the form of development in order to protect the island’s nature features and qualities. “Dewees Island carefully preserves extensive salt marsh estuaries, freshwater lagoon and forests – all rich in wildlife – and substitutes nature for golf courses as the focus of development.” www.deweesisland.com

• Tryon Farm, Michigan City, Ind. Just one hour from Chicago, a significant portion of the 170-acre landscape is preserved as rolling pasture, meadows, woods and ponds. The ULI book says this “features clusters of housing among farmlands, woodlands and restored prairie, plus use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.” www.tryonfarm.com

While not mentioned in The Practice of Sustainable Development, River Run (1985) is a famous example of a Boise conservation community. Developers restored an abused section of the Boise River, improving habitat and building a neighborhood of enduring value. River Run received a ULI Award for Excellence in 1990.