Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

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??

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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It is July Fourth, 2009. Here in Asheville, we are celebrating in the traditional ways: back yard gatherings, blue grass music, fireworks downtown.Tonight I will be able to see the fireworks dazzle the mountains and surprise the night sky.

In Asheville, a number of us are adding   another color to this celebration of life and liberty on the Fourth. Complimenting the traditional red, white and blue  canvas is a backdrop of green.

Here's what I mean-see photo.

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward

PLAN Your Move to a Greener Home.

Step One: Spruce up your abode.

Paint. Use NO VOC paints, remove and replace old carpets with nontoxic flooring, consider replacing all the light bulbs with LEDs..

I love Asheville's locally-produced Earthpaint® which is NO VOC for sprucing up both interior and exterior surfaces. (Check the link. You can order it shipped if need be.)

This beginning plan will increase the value of the home and certainly makes it more attractive to today's buyers

Step Two: Replace old appliances with  energy efficient appliances.

Step Three: Update windows, insulate for energy efficiency, and go for daylighting. .

Step Four: Seek out a"green"  real estate professional with NAR's GREEN Designation or the EcoBroker or Eco Certified Real Estate Consultant Designation. (I'm smiling)

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 __~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL.

ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

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

WHAT is THIS???

Hint:

R = (CH₂)₁₄CH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CH(CH₂)₅CH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CHCH₂CH=CH(CH₂)₂CH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CHCH₂CH=CHCH=CHCH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CHCH₂CH=CHCH₂CH=CH₂ and others

Sitting on my upper deck the other evening, I noticed a tree that seemed to have sprouted overnight.

I took this photo right away. I was amazed and curious.

I had a sense that this tree could even be "dangerous" to those who happened upon it unexpectedly.

The leaves on this "Tree" looked somehow familiar:  leaves alternating, with 3 leaflets, each smooth margined or shallowly lobed. 

Germination: We have had a lot of rain this year, I mused. Could that have made this tree grow so tall (over 10 feet!) when it was not there last year???

"YIKES! It may be a monster," one visitor laughed.

"Certainly not something I would like to encounter on a dark night," another remarked.

On my forays in the field as  a conservation land specialist I had to admit, I had never seen anything like this.

WHAT could it be? Shall I tell you right away or would you prefer to take a guess?

One more hint? OK. Take a look at this graphic. And maybe check out this word. "Urushiol"

I'll be back to let you know the name of the "TREE" in my back yard, so be sure to take a guess and check back later. And, in the meantime, watch where you walk. . .or ride...or picnic...or garden...

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL.. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

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

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