Lot 12  could be called the IDEAL LOT in the authentic eco-community of Hickory Nut Forest in Gerton, North Carolina. This ECO COMMUNITY adjacent to 250 acres of "forever wild" land and with trails leading to 800 acres of conservation partners' lands is just 23min to the cultural center of Asheville, NC. . ALL HealthyBuilt homes are planned for the eco-community which is also aiming to be a net zero energy community. Especially desirable for Lot 12 is that is offers very good southern sun. Home builders and gardeners can take good advantage of this aspect of Lot 12. You will love the nature trails from Hickory Nut Forest Eco-community. There are 6 miles of trails in the neighborhood alone and these stretch out to meet 800+/- AC of conservation land, awesome waterfalls and streams, (see ... 08/12/2014

 Asheville NC cascading falls at Hickory Nut Forest a conservation-oriented community with net zero energy goals, organic heirloom apple orchard, gardens and hiking trails along the "laughing waters"...Details are right below. But first...who could resist a minute by this cascade? click on this link for a one-minute video that is almost guaranteed to bring you a smile. ** If you are seeking waterfalls and cascades, you have come to the right place. Last count, there were fifteen(15) on the forever wild land that adjoins Hickory Nut Forest-  Acreage and building sites for sale in this  carefully developed Asheville area community also are close to organic gardens and an heirloom apple orchard. Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community is located within about a 37-minute drive to  Asheville's ente... 10/18/2012

Asheville Real Estate Journal1031 Like Kind Exchange and LAND for Eco Development  Recently, a large acreage investor and I were talking about "green" investment strategies and concerns about the 1031 Like-Kind Exchange process. He had heard by the grapevine, and mistakenly believed, that he absolutely had to acquire property exactly like the property he was about to relinquish.  In searching for a 1031 Like- Kind Exchange he was puzzled when it  came to  how he would be able to locate an eco-friendly exact match for here the Asheville, NC area for his three-story brownstone back East. Finding an exact match when you are looking for land for an eco-sensitive development is not required, I assured him. And so we went exploring...and found this!   Photo  at Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Communit... 06/23/2011

 Asheville Area Eco-Friendly Communities:Here is a series of links to posts I have done on one of my favorite areas around Asheville, and the possibilities for those of you who love the idea of living in a neighborly community where folks can share organic gardens, produce...and yes, even heirloom apples! Second- Vacation Homes Go Year-Round- Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community Asheville NC Real Estate- Homes on the GREENsideFourth stop on the Asheville area Second and Vacation Homes Tour- Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community Hickory Nut Forest is so compelling that your second or vacationhome soon may become your year-round abode. If you are seeking waterfalls you... Green Real Estate Asheville: Interview with Eco Developer- Hickory Nut Forest Mountain Community Asheville NC Real Estate- Home... 03/02/2011

Fourth stop on the  Asheville area Second and Vacation Homes Tour-Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community. Hickory Nut Forest is so compelling that your second or vacationhome soon may become your year-round abode. If you are seeking waterfalls, you have come to the right place. Last count, there were fifteen(15) on the forever wild land that adjoins Hickory Nut Forest- Not to mention the vineyard, organic gardens, heirloom apple orchard. Oh My!  Points to keep in mind as we head out on this sunny day to look at this carefully developed community are: a) proximity to Asheville, ) the exterior and/or interior allure for a second or vacation home,  and c) zoning/deed restrictions.  Asheville has what it takes in terms of investing in a Second and/or Vacation home: An alluring, eco-friendly, and ... 03/31/2010

I had the pleasure of sitting down with John Myers and Jane Lawson the developers of the Hickory Nut Forest GREEN/conservation community near Asheville, NC not long ago. We talked about what it takes to create such a community- their philosophy and how they designed and developed the land. Here is a segment of our conversation.   HOW ONE COUPLE ENVISIONED AND REALIZED THEIR DREAM OF AN ECO-FRIENDLY  MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY Q. How long has it taken to create the Hickory Nut Forest eco-community? A. We have been involved in the process of creating community for nearly five years. It has been an amazing journey that has taken on a life of its own. We started out with a vision to conserve some beautiful land in the mountains of North Carolina. We wanted to be stewards of this sacred place with i... 10/14/2009

Autumn is on the way with gifts of Carolina Blue skies, and all the colors that border it. (see photo taken at Hickory Nut Forest eco community)This is an excellent time of year to tour the Asheville area and to familiarize yourself with what we have to offer in terms of sustainable innovation. WHEN you visit the numerous Asheville area eco-friendly developments,do consider hiking the trails, and taking a peek at community amenities. Remember too, that an eco-friendly development and/or an  ecovillage may be in an urban or rural area. It is not defined by its location. Eco-villages are defined by concept.  For me, this is about sustainable innovation--  a "green plan"  that encourages both social contact and individual space coupled with the understanding that, as a member of the commun... 10/06/2009

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, October, 2009News and Views from "GREEN-O-Lina"    The Eco-Community & Conservation Land THIS WEEK I had the good fortune to hike the sunny trails leading from an amazing eco-friendly community just minutes from downtown Asheville. This model for sustainable innovation, 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. ... 10/02/2009

Hickory Nut Forest An Outstanding Asheville Area Eco Community One of my favorite eco communities in the Asheville area (and please note, Asheville is the  "hub' of green and sustainable development) is Hickory Nut Forest.Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville, but Hickory Nut Forest is demonstrating how to go about creating an eco--community. This video shows how folks got together to build a community center. (see video). THIS evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood is surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land , so from the community center, visitors and residents can hike out on one of the well-tended trails leading to those 800 + acres and to the adjoining 250 acres. Hickory Nut Forest's community/retreat/teaching/lear... 10/02/2009

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... 05/11/2009

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 03/07/2009

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 ... 02/21/2009

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 i... 12/30/2008

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.       Renew... 12/30/2008

One of the most exciting factors to consider if Asheville NC Relocation is on your agenda is our Area Eco Communities!    A "hub' of green and sustainable development, Ashevilleis an attractive place to relocate. And 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. (map of the Asheville area)  "We are in a sustainable framework, and we're lovin' it!"   Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville.  Take for example,   Hickory Nut Forest (see map) an evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood  surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land. What a place.  From t... 12/29/2008

Looking for Creative Retirement? Baby Boomer and Nature Lover? If you are "at one" with nature- the woods, the hills, the shades of leaves of Autumn, the waterfalls- now could be just the right time to RELAX  and turn your 1031 into Eco-Friendly living in Asheville, NC.  Just this week we were out on our annual Fall Leaves photo shoot . We meandered up the paved drive (see photo ) and into the woods. The sound of Hickory Nut Creek and distant waterfalls kept us company.  Rustling leaves and songbirds chimed in. And then the music of the wind played in the forest. And it brought with it another kind of music,  the laughter of grandparents, kids and grandkids in the heirloom orchard at Hickory Nut Forest eco-community.  So! It wasn't yet time for the annual "Monster Jam".  What could the ... 10/20/2008

Hickory Nut Forest in Gerton N.C.   is an evolving eco-community and conservation neighborhood . 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.  If you enjoy farm-fresh produce, you will appreciate how close it is to the eco-community. The Greater Asheville area is an important  "hub" for green and sustainable development. 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!"  Possibly that  explains why numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville, including  Asheville area's... 09/11/2008

GREEN Asheville area's Hickory Nut Forest Conservation Acreage and evolving eco-community is a perfect spot to picnic. Over 800 acres of conservation land surround you. Trails lead to those 800  acres and adjoin 275 acres where community buildings and an organic garden soon will expand into healthy possibilities. Here you can spread your picnic blanket and just   B R E A T H E.    INSPIRATION. You can stand by a waterfall and soon discover that there are 15 or more waterfalls on the Conservation Partner's Lands. Or hike the trails leading to wildflower meadows and rock-climbing adventure. Maybe you would prefer to spend a soft afternoon and picnic out by the heirloom apple orchard and the "grape garden"...that is if the noisy Hickory Nut Creek doesn't first beckon you to visit. . . .Whe... 08/02/2008

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 8... 07/28/2008

WHATEVER  YOU CHOOSE-  Building a HealthyBuilt home adjacent to over 1,000 Acres of Conservation Land Participating at some level in a sustainable community or Ecovillage, Selecting a building site for the future you must know that THIS Asheville, NC eco-community is amazing!  Right from the start, the eco-innovators  who designed and planned this conservation neighborhood  have "done it right"! Right from the start, they thought about renewable energy sources and organic gardens.NOTE:  ARTISTS  and ARTISANS ...for these reasons and more, you are going to love Building Site 16, so here's a heads-up for you...read on....   (photo of artist enjoying stream on  Site 16 property) Welcome to the Greater Asheville, NC Area, andthe UNIQUE  BUILDING SITE # 16.    WHY "unique" ? There's a good r... 05/03/2008