Newly-Certified Audubon International Gold Signature Member Protects the Cahaba River

Jan. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- While The Shops of Grand River is only the first phase of a large, mixed-use project, the eco-development principles of the Signature Program are already being applied at this unique outlet mall.

“USS Real Estate, Daniel Corporation, and Audubon International have worked cooperatively to skillfully blend the economic needs of the local community with the needs of the environment to maintain the integrity of a very sensitive river area of Alabama,” said Nancy Richardson, Director, Audubon International Signature Program.   “Grand River has created wildlife habitat, protected water quality, and provided a cohesive educational program aimed at local residents, guests to the area, and mall patrons.”

Situated along the I-20 growth corridor between Birmingham and Atlanta in historic Leeds, Alabama, the Grand River project will eventually be a 6,500-acre master-planned community. The project will feature residential neighborhoods with shopping, entertainment, business, commerce, and world-class sporting and recreation, all nestled among lush parks and green spaces set against the picturesque landscape of the Cahaba River Valley.  As such, managing water on the site is a critical goal for the project.  All storm water flows into bio-swales or is piped away from the river across the site into wetlands on the opposite side of the site.  

The development's location near the banks of the Cahaba River made adopting standards such as those required through the Audubon Signature Program a necessity, according to Beth Stewart, Executive Director of the Cahaba River Society.  “The river comes within 200 feet of where the grading was done in some places for this project,” according to Stewart.  She went on to say that the work of Audubon International on the project was visible, particularly when it comes to environmental education throughout the process.  “We would love to see this replicated with other major construction projects.”

Additional phases of the project, including a residential component, will evolve in the years to come.  As they do, the eco-design and development principles put into place with the outlet mall component will be carried throughout the project.  To read a complete case study on The Shops of Grand River, visit: www.ecodevelopmentinitiative.com.  For more information about the Audubon International Signature Program contact Nancy Richardson, Director, Audubon International Signature Program at signature@auduboninternational.org, or by phone at 270-869-9419.

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Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources, thus leading to more sustainable communities. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning educational eco-certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. Through the Eco-Design & Development Initiative and specifically the Audubon Signature Program, the organization promotes innovation and best management practices to create models for the proper siting, design, construction, and management of new developments. For more information please visit: www.AudubonInternational.org, http://signature.auduboninternational.org, or www.EcoDevelopmentInitiative.com.