Pardee Homes is California's first homebuilding company to earn the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger honored 18 individuals, organizations and businesses for 2005, with honorees announced in Sacramento. Californians take very seriously their commitment to preserving the beauty and health of the state we call home, said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I commend this year's Environmental and Economic Leadership recipients for their efforts in making California's air, land and water cleaner and safer."

The State of California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor, the GEELA recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California's precious resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, and building public-private partnerships. Recipients were selected from dozens of public nominations by a panel of evaluators and the Secretaries of Cal/EPA, the Resources Agency, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and the Department of Food and Agriculture.

"We deeply appreciate this honor," said Mike McGee, president and CEO of Pardee Homes. "We are resolute in our desire to promote a better quality of life through our green initiatives, and the State's recognition of our efforts is gratifying and encouraging."

Pardee Homes was recognized for Sustainable Practices, which acknowledges "pioneering efforts to integrate environmental values and conservation of natural resources into long-term decision making and management of businesses and facilities." GEELA officials said the company demonstrates a broad commitment to resource conservation and to outreach efforts that help homebuyers learn more about the benefits of sustainable design.

"Because the GEELA program examines the interconnected nature of sustainability, this honor is particularly meaningful to us," said Beth Fisher, vice president of community development for Pardee Homes in San Diego. "GEELA recognizes the complexities of environmental concerns and the value of a collaborative, educated approach to all issues; this perspective is one Pardee Homes shares unreservedly."

Among Pardee Homes' achievements are its LIVINGSMART® program of additional sustainable systems and features; habitat and vernal pool restoration; and solar power standards and options for selected homes.

Solar power and other earth-friendly building policies are exemplified by the company's LIVINGSMART® initiatives, according to Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes. Mason described the program as a whole new concept in homeownership.

"LIVINGSMART® delivers environmentally sensitive features and options that are unprecedented in non-custom homes and proves that a home can be simultaneously smart, comfortable and stylish," said Mason. "Pardee Homes will continue to provide energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly amenities in our new homes and communities."

Established in 1993, the annual Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency and Resources Agency, in partnership with the State and Consumer Services Agency. To learn more about GEELA, visit www.calepa.ca.gov/Awards/GEELA.

The GEELA is the most recent of many environmental awards for Pardee Homes. Pardee Homes has also earned top honors in the Green Building Awards program sponsored by the National Green Building Conference and the National Association of Homes Builders (NAHB); the Energy Value Housing Award (EVHA), sponsored by NAHB's Research Council; and additional honors for sustainable designs from the Gold Nugget Awards. The company also received the 2004 Water-Efficient Landscaping Award presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the State of California"s 2003 Flex Your Power Energy Efficiency Award.

Originally established in 1921, Pardee Homes is active in California and Nevada, with regional offices in Corona, Irvine, Sacramento, San Diego, Valencia and Las Vegas. Pardee Homes'new home choices address a spectrum of households, and the company places particular emphasis on master-planned settings that also include schools, parks and preserved open space.