Earth Day is a great time to reflect on our responsibility to protect the planet and preserve its natural resources. It’s also a day to consider our impact on the environment and take action to make positive changes in our daily lives.

At River Islands, giving back to nature is a top priority. Hundreds of acres of River Islands is devoted to open space, parks, and trails. We created a trail system with miles of trails that attract walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. In addition, our community is dedicated to protecting the natural assets that comprise the heart and soul of our community. From the air we breathe, to our beautiful lakes and waterways, River Islands is leading the way in designing and building an environment that is mindful of the importance of nature!

River Islands cares about energy conservation and has proposed many energy-efficient technologies, such as passive and active solar designs, which use clean, naturally distributed energy with no waste or pollution. We are also excited to announce that in addition to every home in River Islands including solar, all homes in Hideaway by Van Daele Homes are fully electric! This move towards renewable energy sources not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also helps decrease both air and noise pollution. There are also plans for a future Transit Station for Valley Link that will connect to the Pleasanton/Dublin station. This will be a great way for River Islands residents to skip commute to the Bay Area, and take public transportation instead!

One of River Islands’ most significant natural assets is the San Joaquin River. We understand the importance of water in the ecosystem. Thirteen lakes are already a part of the community’s design, and more water features are planned for the future. Whether a resident lives on the water or enjoys it as a community amenity, opportunities to participate in all types of water recreation abound. In 2019, we put into effect a robust recycling plan for our landscaping water. Our recycling system currently saves approximately 21 million gallons of water a year and will save hundreds of millions of gallons of water in the future.

New internal lakes provide stopping places for migratory birds and habitats for resident waterfowl, and isolated islands are designated as wildlife preserves. We even have Apollo and Artemis, our swans-in-residence, who came to us in the spring of 2022 after the loss of our first beloved swan-in-residence, Siegfried.

River Islands is committed to protecting the environment and preserving natural assets. Through our pursuit of an eco-sensitive community, we can give back to the beautiful landscape we are fortunate to call home. As we celebrate Earth Day, let us remember that every action we take toward environmental conservation can significantly impact the future health and well-being of our planet.

Tags: River Islands, Energy-efficient, San Joaquin River, Public transportation, Sustainability, Natural resources, Conservation, Environment, Wildlife