"Our goal was to create an attractive and colorful landscape throughout Aliante, with water conservation the first priority," he said. "We achieved that goal, as the vast majority of plant materials in this community are pleasing to look at and drought tolerant as well."

Naef said one area in Aliante where wildflowers are popping up in abundance is the community's 36-acre arroyo, which is located on the eastern edge of the master plan. In 2004, North Valley Enterprises funded a $500,000 restoration project for the arroyo, which involved clearing out old dead wood and other debris and re-vegetating it with plants that were indigenous to the area.

"After clearing out debris that had settled in the arroyo, we seeded it with multiple desert flowers to enhance the native vegetation," Naef said. "The result was a preservation of natural open space and a unique landscape amenity for Aliante."

Naef said that along with being an attractive landscape feature, the arroyo is virtually self-sustaining, requiring little or no irrigation.

Three home builders are offering five new neighborhoods in Aliante.

The Fields at Aliante, by Astoria Homes, offers four- and five-bedroom designs that range from 2,228 to 3,374 square feet. The homes feature 21/2 to three baths, a two- to three-car garage, loft, bonus room and owner retreat. Prices start in the low $300,000s.

Prominence at Aliante, by Astoria Homes, is a private, gated neighborhood of two-story homes ranging from 2,830 to 4,449 square feet and priced from the low $400,000s. The majority of the homes feature a family room, three-car garage, bonus room, courtyard and owner's retreat.

Sun City Aliante, built by Del Webb, is an age-qualified community offering single-story homes that range from 1,155 to 1,716 square feet, priced from the mid-$200,000s.

Springdale, by Pardee Homes, is a gated neighborhood of one- and two-story homes ranging from 2,754 to 3,289 square feet and priced from the high $300,000s.

Autumn Ridge, by Pardee Homes, is a gated neighborhood offering one- and two-story homes ranging from 2,695 to 4,245 square feet, priced from the high $300,000s.

About 428 acres in Aliante are designated for recreational and public purposes, including the Aliante Golf Club, the 20-acre Nature Discovery Park, Deer Springs Park, Aviary Park, an arroyo and more than 24 miles of lighted concrete trails and linear parks.

Proposed plans for Aliante include two elementary schools and a middle school, all of which would be built by the Clark County School District. The community's first school, the Theron H. and Naomi D. Goynes Elementary School, opened in 2005. A new fire station opened in 2004 and the Aliante Library opened in 2006.

About 100 acres are allocated for commercial development, including the Aliante Corporate Center office park.

Ground was broken in early 2007 for the Aliante Station hotel and casino. Scheduled to open later this year, the resort will be located at the northeast corner of Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, and Aliante Parkway.

Information about new homes and neighborhoods can be obtained at the Aliante Information Gallery, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information can also be obtained at AlianteHomes.com or by calling 866-787-2951.