Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

It has been raining magic in the mountains. Tall pines and rising peaks are mirrored in sparkling rivulets along the roadside.

 

 

I followed their trail via North Haven, the gently winding way leading to the cabins at Creston Preserve, (see photo) a conservation-oriented community near Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

(photo shows mystery and the magic of this cabin awaiting my visit...fireplace SEE NEXT PHOTO  is ready to offer an early autumn glow)

 

 

I had returned this day to do some photography for one of my clients who is looking for an extraordinary mountain homesite close to nature and wildlife and mountain trails and waterfalls.

Extraordinary: At Creston , an environmentally-sensitive community,  my clients will find thoughtful planning that compliments nature's beauty.

 

There is a vibrant feeling, a magical "aura" here.  But the rains--the colors, the scents, the sounds echoed and wrapped in brumous veils-- seem to intensify it ....In all of this, between thunderclaps and cloudbursts, there is welcome shelter at the community's *eco-friendly clubhouse where, in a steady downpour,  I retreated for good company with the neighbors.

*Rain Chains: The community clubhouse employs attractive alternatives to downspouts,widely used in Japan for hundreds of years,not only can be used to  harvest rainwater for future use, but can captivate an unsuspecting passerby with the dance and the music of the rain . 

Resources: http://www.rainchain.com/copper_rain_chain.htm

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

 

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, September, 2009
Real Estate News and Views from Green Asheville's "Stay-in-Your-Home" Eco-Steward

I've been out on the trails at Creston Preserve this week, reporting in almost daily with short posts and from my little hand-held camera.

I figure that's a good way  for you to see a  "down-to-earth" vision of life in the mountains near Asheville.

Creston is an eco-friendly development whose thoughtful and thorough protective covenants and design guidelines  preserve mountain views, natural splendor, and visual harmony.  

To me being environmentally sensitive makes sense since North Carolina's ancient mountains are treasures.  Two main crests- the Western or Unaka Front along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and the Eastern Front in North Carolina-remind those who live, visit and relocate here of this each day.  With a number of "cross ridges" between the two main crests and subranges ( Asheville area's Black Mountains, and  Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet -see earlier video ) there is plenty of adventure for trail hikers of all levels of accomplishment. 

I am attracted to the trails at Creston-miles of them, some leading right to Catawba Falls!

And I am attracted, as well, to this eco-community's  environmentally sensitive home design guidelines because they help to maintain a sense of visual harmony between homes and the natural environment. Look for photos soon to see homes inspired by the Craftsman, Bungalow, and Post and Beam styles. In the meantime , plan to come for a walk with me on this trail ! Grandkids will love this one.  Let me know what you think.

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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I've been vacationing near home this week. I am adventuring in conservation areas--looking for wildlife (small varieties! -- like the wild turkey who crossed the trail today)--and ready for great photo opps. Today I am out at Creston Preserve. Three reasons I like it here...besides the peaceful atmosphere??

50% of 1,100 Acres Protected Conservation Easement

5 Miles of Hiking Trails Leading to Creeks & Waterfalls

Mountain Overlooks

I've stopped by the clubhouse for a visit with REALTY STAR, Corey Atherton and asked him to tell me a bit about the views. We hiked a trail, then hopped in his red mountain vehicle to check out one of the many Mountain Overlooks....Here's a small movie clip with that scene. ...

What better way to engage your energy on Labor Day than to head out to the mountains near Asheville in search of a worthy enterprise. For me, today that included a hike at Creston Preserve and the less strenuous pursuit of a beautiful blue butterfly who turned out to like the camera. Happy Pursuit for me...and I hope for You, too!

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, September, 2009
Real Estate News and Views from Green Asheville's "Stay-in-Your-Home" Eco-Steward 

Since its creation, North Carolina's Natural Heritage Trust Fund has contributed almost $300 million through over 400  grants to support the conservation of approximately 300,000 acres of North Carolina's most significant natural areas and cultural heritage site including: 

•·         Lands that represent North Carolina's ecological diversity to ensure their preservation and conservation for recreational, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic purposes;

•·         Additions to state parks, state trails, aesthetic forests, wild and scenic rivers,
fish and wildlife management areas

As a Land Specialist brokering lands for family legacies here in the Asheville  Western North Carolina Mountain area, is the granting of funds for land acquisition to the Division of Forest Resources.

(photo shows smart dog relocating to the Asheville area on a hike in one of the many national forests in our area.)

GREEN CAREERS and JOBS: I am often asked, " What can I do for work in the Asheville area?" If you are relocating to the Asheville area, here is a link that  possibly offers and answer to that question: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/jobs/types_of_jobs.htm

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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I get to meet all kinds of interesting people as I visit eco-friendly conservation communities here in the Greater Asheville area. One of my favorites is COREY ATHERTON who is the Project Manager at Creston Preserve. The other day he took me out exploring his favorite sites. Now's your chance to come along with us.

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, August, 2009
Real Estate News and Views from Green Asheville's "Land Legacy" Eco-Steward

Conservation Stewardship Program Asheville and Beyond . I was so interested to read that  Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan  this month (August, 2009) has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will  begin continuous sign-up for the new Conservation Stewardship Program. 

Eligible Applicants:  

Individual landowners
Legal entities
Native American tribes

Congress capped the annual acreage enrollment at 12.769 million acres for each fiscal year nationwide.

This new Program  encourages agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation activities and possibly even adopt additional ones on their operations. "This program will help the nation's agricultural and forestry producers reach greater levels of conservation performance, which will help protect our land and water," Merrigan said. "The conservation benefits derived from maintaining and enhancing natural resources will improve the quality of soil and water, assist in addressing global climate change, and encourage environmentally responsible energy production."

To apply potential participants can use a self-screening checklist to determine whether the new program is suitable for them or their operation. For information about the CSP, including eligibility requirements, producers can log on to www.nrcs.usda.gov/new_cspor visit their local NRCS field office.

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, August, 2009
Real Estate News and Views
from Green Asheville's
"On the Go 4 Sustainability" Eco-Steward

You can expect more than a color tour when you visit/relocate to Asheville this Fall.

Check out The Ashevillage Institute"colorful" array of Fall offerings. Today they announced the Fall Series of upcoming workshops . The workshops cover various areas of interests, but all pertain to sustainability.

They are:

Bee-Keeping - August 29 & 30 
Natural Building, 5 day - September 9-13 
Natural Building, 3 day - September 24-26
Backyard Sustainability - October 3 & 4
Urban Aquaculture - October 12 & 13
Natural Building, 2 day - October 14 & 15
Rainwater & Greywater Catchment - November 6 & 7
Natural Finishes: Plasters & Paints - November 13 & 14

I know which one I'm going to for sure, How about You?? All workshops are held near downtown Asheville at the Institute. DETAILS and registration at http://www.ashevillage.org/avi/events_projects.php

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, August, 2009
Real Estate News and Views from Green Asheville's "Stay-in-Your-Home" Eco-Steward 

I am excited about today's release of Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina: Growing Communities through Garden. available for download at the referenced link.  How timely!  

It's almost Fall Planting Season, and many of us are thinking about how much fun it would be to have a community garden. 

So this publication is just what we need...an excellent guide, whether you live in Asheville...or even in Your State.

Why garden alone? Start a garden with your neighbors. (photo)

Diane R. Beth, MS, RD, LDN, Nutrition Unit Manager... Nutrition Branch of the NC Division of Public Health, says,

" The guide describes a community garden, its benefits, how to find or start a garden and tips for growing, storing, preparing and enjoying fruits and vegetables.  In addition, it highlights North Carolina and national gardening resources.  Whether a "community" setting (worksite, faith community, school, etc.) is considering starting a community garden or they are thinking about joining a garden near them, the primer outlines the options, steps and resources to ensure success.....  The NC-based garden photographs really show the great work going on in our state and will inspire others to either connect with existing gardens or start their own" 

Resources:

www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com
www.NCPanBranch.com
www.FruitsAndVeggiesNC.com

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

- "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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