Wendell Berry states that "You can't know who you are until you know where you are". By this, I believe he means that in order for one to experience a full sense of self, one must also have a sense a place and general understanding of his/her environmental surroundings.
I find this quote to be particularly true. Ever since our family moved to this country in 1997, we have lived in the same home, in a wonderful neighborhood in Naples, Florida. As we do not have any other family or relatives in the country, we find great comfort in our home, with one another. I have of course lived in other apartments, and on campus for a short period of time, but have moved back into my parents' home for the mean time in order to save money and such until I graduate next Fall.
I take daily jogs around my neighborhood and spend a great deal of time outdoors. Below is a photograph of a bench in front of a lake near my house where I have always found a great sense of place and peace, where I often come to read or simply pass time:
Some elements of green design/sustainable living that I believe my neighborhood has is that it offers an environment that allows for some biodiversity. For example, there are various other lakes/canals located throughout my neighborhood in which you occasionally may spot alligators, turtles, ducks, swans, herons, etc.
Also, as visible in the photographs below, there is quite an abundance of vegetation throughout my community. My neighbors all take pride in caring for their front yards, although not all of the plants located throughout the neighborhood are native species.
My neighborhood's association also has several mandatory guidelines in regards to the vegetation of the community; requiring certain plants be included in the layout of certain areas, as depicted below:
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