Please do not feed the wildlife!

Viridian is home to a host of native wildlife. This is part of the development’s commitment to the environment and is key to Viridian’s Audubon Gold Signature Sanctuary status. The designation is a rare honor and something we should all be proud of and work to maintain, but we need your help!

While we may be tempted to feed the animals in our community, human foods are not healthy for wild animals. In fact, when wildlife becomes dependent on humans for food, they can become aggressive and lose their natural ability to forage for nutrition. Please help us keep our animal friends safe and DO NOT feed the wildlife!

Audubon Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary

Did you know that Viridian has been named a “Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary” by Audubon International?

Viridian originally earned the designation in 2015, and has maintained its status since then.This honor is granted to communities that are designed, constructed and maintained according to Audubon International’s standards for environmental stewardship. The environment was a primary focus from our inception, with innovative methods for flood control areas that enhance and preserve wildlife habitats.

Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Gold certification includes:

Natural Areas and Wildlife

1. Half of Viridian’s 2,000 acres are or will be in protected natural areas.
2. Protected natural areas include bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, grasslands, lakes and shores, two streams, and the West Fork Trinity River.
3. Restoration work includes planting emergent wetlands and native Texas trees.
4. Lake Viridian and nearby ponds are stopover habitat for ducks, grebes, herons, egrets, shorebirds, and other waterfowl and water birds.
5. Exceeds City of Arlington standards for pollution prevention (SWPP) during construction.
6. Exceeds City of Arlington standards in using retrofitted hydrodynamic separators for sediment and phosphorus removal.
7. Future development will manage stormwater with treatment train technology to protect water quality.

Water and Solid Waste Conservation

1. Use of drought-resistant plants and perennials
2. Use of drip irrigation system in all boulevards
3. Common open space irrigation automated and calibrated to rainfall
4. Irrigation water drawn from the lakes and replenished by runoff, infiltration, and groundwater
5. Ongoing monitoring of irrigation and participation in recycling indicates over 99 percent of households do not over-irrigate and 70-80 percent of households recycle

Transportation and Energy

1. Located adjacent to commuter rail
2. LED lighting on key streets
3. Community center built to high energy-efficiency standards
4. Homebuilders achieve high energy efficiency ratings for their units

Turf and Integrated Pest Management

1. Turf management addresses high salinity and carbonates in soil with adjustments to irrigation and soil amendments.
2. Only four pesticides are used to control white grubs and fire ants, all with low toxicity.
3. One combination herbicide-fertilizer is used (phosphate only).

Partnership and Outreach

1. Protected natural areas eventually will be owned by the Viridian Municipal Management District and River Legacy (part of the City of Arlington).
2. Several miles of trail connect to River Legacy Park’s trail system.
3. City of Arlington collects water quality data at several locations in and near Viridian as part of its citywide stormwater monitoring program.
4. The Resource Advisory Committee includes — in addition to biologists and other natural resource specialists — City of Arlington and River Legacy staff.