I'm sort of a "common sense" kind of person.. I like waterfalls, (photo taken at eco-community near Asheville) the first snow fall, sitting around the fire with my friends, and delicious organically-grown tomatoes...IOW... balance in my life. 

Possibly, as a young schoolteacher in Michigan, way back when,  I acquired common sense from my fourth-graders.  

Today, at our eco-savvy real estate brokerage   in the "City of Bliss", Asheville, NC , "common sense" is about making a positive difference in our neighborhood and in the world in terms of land use  and planning , healthy living environments, and camaraderie....

summed up as eco-community on many levels- the seemingly small efforts you and I make toward sustainable practices  and eco-innovation-whether that be installing an energy efficient lighting system at home or in the office, walking more, eating from a garden we planted in the spring- those small efforts that open up possibilities for all of us.

What is an Eco-Community?  Lately I've been wondering about defining "common sense" in terms of  "eco-community."    In a conversation with our Asheville neighbors John Myers and Jane Lawson who are eco-innovators spear-heading creating such an eco-community , I asked, " What exactly is an eco-community...could you tell me more about all the aspects of land conservation, renewable energy, green homes, healthy living, etc that are involved?"

 " Well," they responded, " It is a sustainable community where we choose to consciously live in harmony and balance with the natural world. It is a community designed to respect the environment by:

•  protecting the land
•  using renewable energies for heat and light
•  building green homes
•  supporting healthy lifestyles...

and our eco-community just half an hour from Asheville offers convenient access to healthcare, education, entertainment and transportation."   I asked how they went about this creating this. "Well, janeAnne, that's quite a story. It has been a family affair from the beginning, " Jane answered.

"You know, John  has been a long time activist in land conservation for the past 18 years, working with various land trusts and non-profits. He's worked to protect over 20,000 acres of parks, trails and public forestlands, " she smiled.

John chimed in, "The intention in my work has always been to preserve special lands for future generations to enjoy. In designing an eco-community, our primary goal has been to preserve as much land as possible in its beautiful, natural condition."

Now I began  thinking - if a group of nature-lovers who also appreciate the cultural perks of living within half and hour of  Asheville got together-that would make Big Common Sense. So I asked the couple...  

How many home sites would they offer? 


"Only a small number , and they'll be surrounded by many acres of abundant forests, rushing mountain streams and rugged cliffs," they replied.

Stay tuned...this is Part 3 of a story to be told over the next few months . . .Part 1    Part 2  and let me know what you think.

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