Hot Green Virginia News

September 04, 2008
Green Sustainable Communities in Virginia

As one of the originally and oldest settled areas within the United States, the State of Virginia has a special legacy to uphold in not only preserving its heritage but also working to create the best environment for its citizens in the future.  Because the state has so many environmentally conscious residents who have worked diligently in several areas to work towards green sustainable communities, positive change is being realized in Virginia.

It is vital to understand what it means to build green communities or eco friendly homes.  In green communities, citizens strive at all times to minimize their impacts on the environment through every decision they make.  When building eco friendly homes, environmentally conscious citizens look for green builders who follow the standards of LEED certification.  LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, sets principles to be followed by builders to ensure that their efforts lead to the development of sustainable communities.  Within a sustainable community, it is not enough to simply have builders constructed by green builders within green standards.  These communities must be designed to be able to provide for all needs of all citizens through well designed infrastructure and balanced components of economic, environmental and social issues.

In Virginia, several communities already exist that are striving to become sustainable.  One is called The Quarries, and it is located in Schuyler, which is equidistant from Charlottesville and Lynchburg.  Five hundred and eighty acres of mostly wooded land is contained within The Quarries community, and is divided into forty-three lots owned by like minded individuals with the common goal to create a sustainable community where citizens can enjoy nature while taking steps to preserve the area for the enjoyment of future generations.  Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the citizens of The Quarries are reminded daily of the beauty of nature.  Among their community covenants is the goal of preserving this natural beauty through the use of indigenous technology and materials whenever possible.  The community also seeks to utilize eco builders who incorporate nature into every aspect of building designs.

Another area striving to build a sustainable community within the State of Virginia is called EcoVillage.  EcoVillage is located in Loudon County, which is in the northern area of the state.  Close to Leesburg as well as Washington, D.C., the planners behind EcoVillage are striving to create an eco friendly community that is in complete harmony with Earth.  Not only do they strive to provide the groundwork for the next generation of inhabitants, but they also seek to repair the impact of prior generations on the local environment.  Based upon models of collaboration and cooperation, EcoVillage invites all community members to participate in all aspects of community life.  With both ecological and social goals, EcoVillage looks to attract more citizens through affordable housing prices built by green builders and the promise of inclusion in a community that can create a lasting impact on the environment.

Author:  Ty

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