Water conservation is just one of the features of Pardee Homes' LIVINGSMART®® program in Southern Nevada, which is showcased at the builder's Alisa and Ventana neighborhoods in the new Centennial Hills area in northwest Las Vegas. Pardee's commitment to conservation is emphasized throughout the model park, which features a desert demonstration garden with beautiful, water-efficient landscaping offering a variety of colorful desert plants.

The desert demonstration garden at Vista Verde, built with advise from the Las Vegas Valley Water District, provides visitors a glimpse of plants that are water-efficient and suitable for Southern Nevada's desert climate. Built around the desert demonstration garden, the model homes also feature xeriscape water-saving designs, including the use of artificial turf.

"The model park at Vista Verde is truly beautiful and provides a great source of ideas for our homebuyers, many of whom are choosing to incorporate water-efficient landscaping into their new homes at Aliso and Ventana," said Rob Tuvell, sales director for Pardee.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman congratulated Pardee for being on the cutting edge of water conservation at a time when Las Vegas is dealing with serious drought conditions. And, Amanda Cyphers, Henderson Councilwoman and chair of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, has recognized Pardee's efforts at Vista Verde as a perfect example of a developer committed to conserving water and encouraged others to follow Pardee's lead.

In addition to water-efficient landscaping, homebuyers can choose from special LIVINGSMART® options and features, which include solar electricity, fluorescent lighting, tankless water heaters, low VOC paint and central vacuum systems.

"Pardee's commitment last year to build only ENERGYSTAR® homes was just the jumping off point to the earth-friendly and energy-saving ideas now being offered at Vista Verde," said Kathy Hilty, Southern Nevada marketing director. Environmentally sensitive features and options in the LIVINGSMART® program fall in the categories of EarthSmart, ENERGYSMART® and HealthSmart.

Vista Verde will include up to 900 homes, starting with the Aliso and Ventana neighborhoods. Currently priced from $179,950 to $223,950, Aliso homes offer four models with up to five bedrooms, three baths and up to approximately 2,566 square feet of living space. Designs include great room layouts, large kitchen islands and options for lofts and bay windows.

Ventana's four one-and two-story plans feature up to six bedrooms and up to approximately 4,030 square feet of living space, currently priced from $262,950 to $302,950. The spacious single-story plans offer courtyard entries and an optional Nevada room (sunroom) to expand entertaining areas. Floor plan variations include game rooms, teen rooms and workshops.

The new homes include Pardee's ENERGYSTAR® package that is now standard in every Pardee home and is independently certified by ComfortWise to be at least 30 percent more energy efficient than federal standards require.

To visit the Aliso and Ventana model part at Vista Verde, from U.S. 95 North, exit at Durango Road and turn left. Turn right onto Oso Blanca and left onto Severance Lane. Follow the signs to Vista Verde. Visitors are welcome from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

Since 1952, Pardee Homes has been a pioneer in southern Nevada, building homes and communities for more than 25,000 families. Pardee was honored this year as "America's Best Builder" during the National Association of Home Builders convention in Las Vegas.