Gerton, NC

Not long ago I was contacted via Active Rainabout a post I had done -part of an on-going series called
" Asheville- Picnics and Day Trips" - about Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community. I responded with delight for it is apple blossom time at Hickory Nut Forest, and we had taken some amazing photos to share.
(see photo)

"We share an interest in self-sustaining communities," I enthused... ."

and was happy to provide information. Possibly you. have seen posts (see a few of those links below) about Hickory Nut Forest.

I am passionate about the concept of eco-friendly developmentand how this has played out in excellent attention to detail for this eco-community."

... what stage Hickory Nut Forest is in development...

In terms of land planning and execution...the community is a good way along in terms of planning and creation of the "foundation" for the community....

1) The conservation easement and deed restrictions that protect the integrity of the land are in place-the 25 AC that is adjacent to the 250 AC that is also adjacent to hundreds and hundreds of acres of conservation partners' lands-
2) the site evaluationand planning has been done by Equinox Environmental eco-sensitive landscape architects, the biological survey is complete and has been respected

3) the road in is in (top quality-see photo) and carefully constructed

4) the sites are designed for beauty and solar gain
5) the trails leading from the sites to the larger acreage are in process and well under way...
6) about half the building sites are sold and
7)the first home to be built is due this year

.....about a land map....

A survey of Hickory Nut Forest is conservation neighborhood as well as a map of the entire 275 AC, a topographical map, and a general map of the area to see where Hickory Nut Forest is located and how far it is from Asheville is available. (see links below)

.... about lots---the siting, the sizes and costs...

Each lot at Hickory Nut Forest seems to have its own personality. Some of the lots overlook the Hickory Nut Creek, some are adjacent to trails leading to vast conservation acreage....wells and septic systems are needed, but there has not been a problem with perc tests...

The size of the lots seems( to me) not to be too much of a factor when taking into consideration the larger picture...the heirloom apple orchard, the sustainably managed vegetable gardens on their way...and the other amenities of this life-affirming community. Lots range in price from $150,000 (but two people could share a lot and build a home and "guest home" and thus defray the cost) to about $250,000.

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(*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with

OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL from Eco Certified ©Real Estate Consultants. Contact janeAnne@janeAnne.com or give a call at 828-255-1082 . Design your dream. Give us your checklist .

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Curious about sustainable GREEN real estate possibilities ? Register for the Eco Stewards' Learning Tours.

The ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm specialize in working with eco-developers and LAND for sale in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures. Our real estate practice inspires property investments for wealth of the generous kind.

Sustainable Community~ Asheville's Eco-Jewel~ Hickory Nut Forest. Asheville "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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The Path

"At first it seemed like any other path you might come across...but this one was unlike any other. The moment I stepped foot on it, I had a sense of tranquility that drew me in...and as the light in to the south drew me forward, I understood the magic of simplicity...the wonder of Spring in the Mountains...."

~Asheville, Spring 2009

If considering Asheville NC Relocation is on your agenda don't miss a tour of our area Eco Communities!

Asheville is a "hub' of green and sustainable development, and therefore it is an attractive place for individuals and families looking for good investment in homes and land to relocate.

Whether it is 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.

Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. Take for example, Hickory Nut Forest ( an evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land.

This is one community that seems to have earned a place of distinction on the Asheville Relocation Tour. According to the tour guide, "Natural beauty inspires: You can stand by a any number of waterfalls -(see photo) 15 or more waterfalls grace Hickory Nut Forest's Conservation Partner's Lands that connect with this eco-community..." No wonder folks choosse this tour !

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
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(*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............

Asheville NC Relocation Tour: Eco-.The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Asheville's Eco Communities: Hickory Nut Forest (series).

Hickory Nut Forest
Eco Community IN CONTEXT...

It's all about "H E ART'

Just a few posts back, Jeff asked me to expand on what intrigues me about HickoryNut Forest, and Asheville eco-community with excellent opportunities for people relocating to the mountains who also cherish the idea of sustainability.

I thought about his question last night. One of the answers has to do with 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...
• The real-deal as far as deed restrictions go.

Asheville's Eco Communities: Hickory Nut Forest. Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Subscribeto Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep those creative wheels a turnin'

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(*)/'(*)

WE are IN a sustainable world. *********************************************

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Asheville's Eco Communities: Hickory Nut Forest. 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 Forestfirst...Here are 7 red-hot and GREEN reasons:

•1. Hickory Nut Forest Eco-developers protect the land. Covenants on the lots ensure that homes will blend naturally into the forest. The most special places are for all to enjoy: the cascading streams, tumbling waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and distant vistas.

•2. Nature Connections.With over six miles of hiking trails, people can enjoy the adjoining 800 acres in Little Bearwallow Mountain Preserve and Florence Nature Preserve. Just down the gorge are another 3500 acres of waterfalls and cliff at Chimney Rock State Park.

•3. Renewable energy.The goal at this Asheville area eco-community is to eliminate the need for fossil fuels and generate energy from a variety of renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. Solar thermal panels will collect energy from sunlight to make heat for radiant floors and hot water. Wind turbines, micro-hydro turbines, and photovoltaic panels will make electricity. Geothermal heat pumps will tap the earth's stable temperature.

•4. Hickory Nut Forest is designed to be a net-zero energy community, where more renewable energy is created than we use.

•5. ONLY green-built homes.Green principles insure healthy, energy efficient and friendly to the environment construction. Including: sustainable building materials, non-toxic paints, super-insulated walls, daylighting to conserve energy, local recycled materials, permaculture/water recycling, solar heating, thermal mass, radiant flooring, and geothermal heating and cooling. All of the homes will be certified as HealthyBuiltHomes, HERS rated and EnergyStar.

•6. Organic gardens and an organic farm with a CSA. An organic apple orchard is located nearby.

•7. Community gathering center.Located at the site of an historic gristmill, Laughing Waters will be our first green, solar, zero-energy dwelling and a model for future homes in the community. It is designed to serve as an education, training and research center for demonstrating eco-friendly building and sustainable living.
We plan to make it available for various community events and social gatherings, as well as for quiet, restful retreats.

All this, and, as you will notice from the graphic, Hickory Nut Forest is surrounded on three sides by forever wild conservation partners' land!

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Asheville's Eco Communities: Hickory Nut Forest. Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Subscribeto Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep those creative wheels a turnin'

__~o
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(*)/'(*) ...WE are IN a sustainable world. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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