Respect for the Land
Green building and sustainability seem to have entered popular lexicon in only very recent times. But at Biltmore Farms, respect for the land has been a family tradition in Asheville for more than one hundred years. George W. Vanderbilt pioneered sustainable agriculture and forest preservation in America on the vast lands acquired for his Biltmore Estate. Reclaiming over-harvest woodlands, he founded the nation’s first forestry school in 1898.
The Ramble has taken Vanderbilt’s vision and updated it with meticulous attention to stormwater runoff management, erosion control, energy conservation, and even measures to reduce light pollution. Nearly 300 acres are reserved as common areas with streams and wetlands being protected in perpetual conservation easements. The Ramble exemplifies sustainable land use practices that Vanderbilt so cherished, preserving our forest for generations to come.
Explore our interactive sustainability map to learn more about how The Ramble is on the cutting edge of the green revolution.
