In planning a new community, JOE allows for considerable on-site discovery time with naturalists and landscape architects to move development away from special features and reduce density where preservation is warranted.  Many of JOE’s communities utilize clustering techniques to minimize impacts on natural resources. 

Furthermore, in many projects JOE uses restrictive covenants and conservation easements to add an additional layer of environmental protection.  Such protective covenants require that certain areas remain open space, that structures blend into or are set back from the natural surrounding environment, or that only native vegetation be used for landscaping.   As a result, property owners obtain an assortment of amenities including nature trails, wildlife habitats, camping, scenery and solitude.