Sustainability at the Biltmore Estate

​Special guest blog post by the Biltmore Estate.

When George Vanderbilt began planning his estate in Asheville, North Carolina, his vision was two-fold. First, he wanted to create a place where he could relax and entertain friends and family. Just as important, however, was his desire to preserve the surrounding landscape. From this vision came the nation’s first planned forestry program and the beginning of a family focus on the environment.

Today, Biltmore continues to honor Vanderbilt’s legacy of preserving the land and protecting the environment.

In continuance of this legacy, Biltmore is proud to support Asheville Greenworks and its efforts to protect the beautiful mountains that surround Asheville.

Biltmore focuses its philanthropic efforts on social, economic, and environmental goals of the overall company, as well as partnerships within the counties of western North Carolina and its surrounding areas to support people in need, food and farming, and the preservation of cultural and natural resources through waste reduction, programs that support pollinators, and forestry.

To encourage growth in threatened Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations, our landscaping teams plant milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in several locations across the estate. This provides vital habitat for the beautiful orange and black butterflies, which pass through the Appalachian Mountains on their yearly migration toward Mexico. Essential to the survival of the species, milkweed is the only plant on which females will lay eggs; the young caterpillars feed upon it during the early stages of their life cycle.

Best management practices are employed in Biltmore’s agricultural and forestry operations to prevent silt and runoff into waterways, receiving the River Friendly Farmer Award from the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation Service for these efforts.
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Asheville Greenworks demonstrates values in alignment with Biltmore’s focus areas. Thank you to Asheville Greenworks and their great work to protect the natural resources of the mountains that surround Asheville for the benefit of both present and future generations.