2025 Highwoods Corporate Resiliency Report | ESG, Sustainability & Real Estate Performance - Flipbook - Page 32
2 0 2 5 CO R P O RATE RESI LIENCY REPORT
BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT
The development and operation of commercial office
buildings can adversely impact ecosystems, biodiversity
and habitat. Highwoods endeavors to protect, preserve and
enhance the biodiversity of local ecosystems when developing
new properties and during the operation of our standing
investments. In 2021, we established a biodiversity and habitat
policy and practice to ensure our development and operations
teams are continuously evaluating site design strategies and
management practices that promote, and not negatively
impact, biodiversity.
When selecting sites for new developments, we strongly
consider greyfields and brownfields to reduce development
pressure on natural habitats. When sites are contaminated,
we remediate the soil and water according to local and
national environmental standards. Whenever possible, we
preserve mature trees and native soils to maintain canopy
LAKE GLENN | TEN GLENLAKE | ATLANTA
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coverage and reduce the heat island effect. To minimize
the impact of artificial lighting on wildlife, we design site
lighting to minimize light pollution and trespassing. We utilize
environmentally sensitive products for pest management,
landscaping, snow and ice removal and cleaning activities to
prevent harmful chemicals from entering the environment
and the potential loss of biodiversity and habitat. Recent
property-specific efforts to promote biodiversity and habitat
protection include:
Ten Glenlake | Atlanta: Completed water quality
improvements and stocked native fish in Lake Glenn to support
a community of North American river otters residing in the lake.
Orlando and Dallas: Maintained beehives at properties
across our markets to help preserve local biodiversity by
supporting pollinators.
