eco-stewards' GREEN LEARNING TOUR
Asheville is the "hub' of green and sustainable development. Whether in an urban environment, or in the 
rolling regions beyond Asheville's city limits, buyers and investors and sellers of real property will tell you- "GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains. "We are in a sustainable framework, and we're lovin' it!" Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. This post is the first in a series on those eco-communities. Today I'm taking you on a jaunt (about 20 minutes or so) to Asheville area's Hickory Nut Forest.
Hickory Nut Forest is an evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood. Honoring the Land, the eco-developers placed just 17 lots here, and they are surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land. What a place. From the eco-community, trails lead to those 800 + Acresand to the adjoining 250 acres where community buildings and an organic garden will expand into healthy possibilities.
Natural beauty inspires: You can stand by a waterfall and talk with me, your Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultant , about the 15 or more waterfalls on the Conservation Partner's Lands- or about the trails leading to wildflower meadows and rock-climbing adventure- or about the heirloom apple orchard (seen in photo JT took , above) and the "grape garden"... that is . . .if the noisy Hickory Nut Creek doesn't first beckon you to visit.....and you can "sense" the special energy this Land offers.
Would you choose to visit each one of these "gifts of nature" many, many times ? Possibly the answer is "YES!" ...especially when you consider how much the kids, future grandkids, family and friends are going to love it at Hickory Nut Forest.. "YES!"... views from building site, good solar-orientation... "YES!"... the whole CONTEXT from the perspectives of
- location
- Asheville's lively "green" real estate market
- an opportunity to help create a sustainable eco-community
Now, I said that there are a number of very worthy eco-communities in and around Asheville. So you may wonder why I'm taking you to Hickory Nut Forest first...The reason is CONTEXT.
CONTEXT The Eco-Community & Conservation Land
- Hickory Nut Forest is one of the first ECO developments in the USA to combine wide-ranging land conservation with an eco-friendly community of green-built homes, to be powered by renewable energy -(wind power, hydropower , geothermal) - to create a "net-zero-energy community".
- Living in this conservation neighborhood means enjoying the forever-wild mountain forests, soaring cliffs and pristine, cascading streams, out your back door. You can walk for miles in the serenity of nature.
- This eco-community- is an easy drive from Asheville's, cultural amenities, arts, music and delicious cuisine, as well as excellent healthcare all nearby. (17 miles, 23-27 min.) And just 4 minutes to the CSA. Positive perks for body mind and spirit.
Hiking trails lead conveniently from the building sites into 800+ acresof nature preserve lands with waterfalls, streams, cliffs and mountaintop vistas. And, here to enjoy are tennis courts,(adjacent to Site 1) and close-by- horseback riding, bird watching, fishing, picnicking, boating, over a dozen golf courses in the area, biking, gardening, and community social events.
This is convenience where adventure abounds...
Stay tuned for the next in my series on Asheville's eco-communities and Green communities.
And let me know what you think!
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WE are IN a sustainable world.
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Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. This post is the first in a series on those eco-communities.
Tell me what you think of Hickory Nut Forest, and about eco-communities near you...
I have yet to see a real developed eco community in my area but with some old family ranches coming onto the market I suspect that the time may be ripe.
Sabrina~
I sure hope so. The model seems appropriate for preserving that Historical "sense of place" while accepting change...in a gentle way.
One could hike every day for a year and not see the same sights twice!
Seriously..
John
John~
Thanks for your input on this post. I am wondering if you are one who has hiked these trails?
Thank you so much for doing an Eco Communities series!!! An organic garden is a must to me in these communities and Hickory Nut Gap has that -yay... I approve! How can I buy a lot!
A "net-zero-energy community" that is surrounded by conservation land...imagine if the whole world was designed like this. Oh yeah, and why don't we by the way?
This is the best Eco development of its kind that I've ever seen!!!
THANKS for your comment...
I agree with you...organic gardens, organic crops for a community, conservation lands all around....and the idea of renewable energy resources...
BIG PLUSES...for all concerned.
Janeanne:
You forgot to mention that Hickory Nut Forest is right across the street from the popular Gerton Community Playhouse. That place packs a crowd during the summer!
janeAnne, I am so jealous. I wonder how long it will be for Lake Norman to get their first green community. Now I really want to come visit you and see these wonderful communities!
Bill~'
DULY noted...and the Community Playhouse sounds like FUN in CAPS...in addition to the tennis courts, hiking trails and waterfalls...what more could a person want ?? =)
Diane~
Just let me know when you are Asheville-bound. I would be honored to show you around, my Friend. I can tell you right now, that Hickory Nut Forest is planning to offer classes at their community center. The classes will be geared toward eco-friendly living and building... and there may even be an option to stay at the community.
Talk about mindful developement -this is it!
Yeah, why don't we always design like this? A "net-zero-energy community" just outside of Asheville, surrounded by pure goodness forever protected from developement -- with an organic garden and not just a waterfall...but, waterfallsssss!!! I agre with a previous comment and quote "This is the best Eco development of its kind that I've ever seen!!!"
Rhodes~
I am LOL as I read your enthusiastic response and read your comment..."...A "net-zero-energy community" just outside of Asheville, surrounded by pure goodness forever protected from development -- with an organic garden and not just a waterfall...but, waterfallsssss!!! ...'
I am LOL with joy, because...I feel the same way!!!!!!!!
Hi janeAnne, I was reading and pictuing myself taking naps by the waterfalls and then read the part about making a net zero energy community? I want to hear more about that. Waterfalls, sustainable, green homes, bike trails, and all of the other amenities? It sounds like heaven!!
Hello you may also want to check out the Zap Truck (all electric) Just go to www.depoteco.com
Stephanie~
Hickory Nut Forest offers much more than "just" a place to live...as you suggest...Are ya' ready for a picnic there?
Ken~
As it turns out, the eco developers at Hickory Nut Foresthave included for the community an electric car to be used by residents for travels to and from the local CSA...
good idea
JaneAnne, thats a great idea! The little Zap truck is nice because its a truck! Hual much, rock, food for the picnic.. when are we having a picnic? I am hungry! as always... :) Also DepotEco.com is a great resors for other green products. Check them out at www.deptoeco.com
By the way, If you have customes that are not intrested in your property, send them my way. Right now we have so Awesome Mountain and Water front comunities for sale just 45 minutes east of Asheville.
Check out my web site www.carolinaland.com We love to pay referral fees!!! We can send people to each other!
thanks
Ken
CarolinaLand.Com
828.429.4004
WOW -- an electric car provided by a development for residents to use!!! Never heard of this anywhere before, what a fantastic idea...and so generous too.
Hickory Nut Forest is truly a unique and amazing place! And to live so close to Hickory Nut Gap Farm (an incredible Asheville area family farm), where you can buy grass fed meat directly every Thursday, would be another huge benefit to living at Hickory Nut Forest. I wonder if you could use the electric car to carpool there, even though it's not a CSA.
Janeanne:
In addition to the CSA there is a little produce stand right by the side of the road where you get organic veggies grown in the field next door. Honor system in paying.