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Wild Heron Wins FAR's 2004 ENVY Award

ORLANDO, Fla., September 2004 -- Wild Heron, a new conservation community located on the beautiful Emerald Coast between Panama City and Destin, has won the 19th Residential Environmental Award from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). The award, popularly known as the ENVY, was presented recently at FAR’s 88th annual Convention and Trade Expo in Orlando. The ENVY award recognizes the residential and/or commercial developer who makes the most significant contribution toward building in harmony with Florida’s sensitive environment.

“The success of Wild Heron cannot be attributed to a single factor,” says Lundy Crabb, sales and marketing director for the community. “The philosophy of a community built around nature, family and friends along with an unbelievable setting along the shores of Lake Powell all contribute to making Wild Heron a desirable place to live."

As part of the award criteria, the judging panel of planning professionals reviewed the development’s preservation of the land’s native flora and fauna, the blending of the community with its surrounding environment, common areas such as nature trails and playgrounds, family recreation and safety, streets, drainage, sanitation and more. Judges praised Wild Heron for the care it has taken to preserve natural elements, such as keeping 55 percent of its acreage as open space and by incorporating natural features into the design of the community.

Located on 734 acres off Lake Powell, the community strives for a balance between design and nature. When it reaches build-out, Wild Heron will be home to fewer than 600 families. Along with stunning views and nature preserves, the development features an award-winning private golf course, Shark's Tooth, designed by Greg Norman, and numerous other recreational amenities.

To help preserve the lake and its surrounding wetlands, the development has collaborated with Gulf Coast Community College to underwrite part of the costs for a $20 million Environmental Education Center to be located just west of the community.

For more information on the project, call (850) 236-4672.

Realtors throughout Florida commend Wild Heron for demonstrating that high-quality, environmentally conscious development makes good business sense.

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its more than 110,000 members in 70 boards/associations.