Twenty years ago, the idea of a “green” home would have called to mind a different image of what we know today.

Circa 1989, a green home was exactly that: the color green. Fast forward to 2009 and we have a whole new understanding of what it means to be green.

Today, we’re starting to see green homes across the country. They use less energy and water, and produce less waste, both during construction and over the long-term.

The goal of green homes is to reduce impact on the environment, from the day workers clear the land through the many years of occupancy.

Issaquah is home to one of the country’s first green developments, Issaquah Highlands, where many aspects of the community were developed on the principles of sustainability.

The community, which broke ground in 1998, developed new green practices that have set national standards for development and construction.

Walk around Issaquah Highlands today and you’ll see more than 2,600 homes, apartments and condos, plus dozens of neighborhood parks, walking trails, shops and services, as well as a winding bike and jogging path, and a new elementary school.

It has all the facets of a family neighborhood.

What you don’t immediately see are the cutting-edge environmental programs that made it a green community.

In honor of Earth Day 2009, let’s take a trip back in time and look at how Issaquah Highlands helped to set the standard for green development across the nation.

When the land was originally cleared, engineers worked to conserve and reduce site and landscape materials, which would normally end up in a landfill. More than 2 million yards of topsoil was moved from construction to local parks instead of being trucked to another site.

Crushed rock from building sites was used in nearby utility trenches, and boulders were moved to the parks.

By keeping construction waste off the roads and out of landfills, the development reduced the use of fossil fuels and lessened the environmental impact.

Issaquah Highlands uses the principle of “clustered development.”

In layman’s terms, that means putting all development in one area.

Development is not sprawled across all the available land.

At Issaquah Highlands, only 780 acres of the total 2,200 acres are developed.

This leaves more than 1,400 acres untouched.

The master developer of the community, Port Blakely Communities, guaranteed that these acres won’t be developed by dedicating them as permanent open space.

There are other benefits to the clustering that we can’t readily see, but which are apparent after you spend some time in the area. Homes are closer together, so people see their neighbors more often.

By knowing their neighbors, they enjoy a sense of well-being and safety.

Pedestrian paths take priority, so it makes getting out for a walk that much easier and more pleasant.

There is a park located within walking distance to every home, which is ideal for young families.

By making the community more “walkable,” it reduces frequent car trips and the resulting pollution.

The clustering of the development also means that you can stroll to restaurants, which are within an easy walk of many homes.

As a result of clustering homes, services and business, residents can reduce how often they get into their cars.

A 1,000 car “Park & Ride,” as well as fiber-optic communications built-in throughout the community, make it easier to take the bus or work from home. All of these factors help to reduce pollution.

The landscaping doesn’t just look green; it’s also green from an environmental perspective.

The plants, trees and shrubs are mostly indigenous to the Northwest. They were selected for their suitability to the climate.

Because the plants are local, they need less fertilizer to thrive. They also need less water, which helps the community to maintain the highest standards of water conservation.