Nature can be messy. An unmown meadow, a forest full of undergrowth or a black bear meandering a little too close to your back yard can cause consternation among you and your neighbors even if you relish the abundance of open space in your community. In communities such as Willowsford in Northern Virginia, Balsam Mountain Preserve in North Carolina and Serenbe outside Atlanta that do get up close and personal with nature, conservation experts are working closely with residents to manage expectations, are providing education about nature and are maintaining stewardship over the land.
Why It Matters: Conservation communities give families daily access to nature, improve well-being, and protect ecosystems – but success depends on balancing resident expectations with ecological health.
Living close to nature brings both beauty and challenges. In communities like Willowsford (VA), Balsam Mountain Preserve (NC), and Serenbe (GA), conservation experts work with homeowners to set expectations, maintain the land, and teach residents how to live alongside nature.
“Buyers in our community understand that connection to nature is important for their well-being,” says Monica Olsen of Serenbe. “Our conservation areas are all natural, they’re not a park. So the maintenance we do is just for the safety of our residents and visitors.”
At Balsam Mountain Preserve, 75% of 4,400 acres are permanently protected. “The number one reason people purchase homes here is to live surrounded by nature,” says COO Joseph Dellinger.
Willowsford in Virginia dedicates over half its 4,000 acres to open space, including a sustainable farm and trails. “Many people buy homes here because they want to raise their kids in a healthy way, with the farm lifestyle and open space,” says Iris Gestram, executive director of the Willowsford Conservancy.
Conservation by Design
Developers plan communities around streams, meadows, and forests, using environmental surveys to minimize impact.
Long-term stewardship is handled by nonprofits, not HOAs, ensuring focus on conservation.
Ongoing work includes removing invasives, stream repair-planting, and balancing resident requests with ecological priorities.
Education in Action
Residents often expect manicured parks rather than wild meadows. Conservancy groups help shift perspectives.
“This year especially we’ve gotten calls from people worried about keeping the wildflowers for migrating butterflies,” says Gestram. “We spend a lot of time teaching our residents about caring for the environment and learning to live together with nature.”
At Balsam Mountain, staff naturalists lead research and workshops, while professors and wildlife experts teach residents about pollinators, snakes, and bears. Serenbe and Willowsford also offer farms, trails, and nature programs that encourage residents – especially kids – to appreciate wildlife rather than fear it.
Best Practices: Integrating Nature Into Residential Design
Plan early: Use environmental surveys to design around natural landscapes.
Preserve open space: Dedicate significant acreage to conservation easements.
Separate management: Let nonprofits, not HOAs, manage conservation areas.
Balance aesthetics and ecology: Educate residents on why wild meadows or undergrowth matter.
Encourage stewardship: Offer volunteer programs like wildlife monitoring and farm work.
Educate continuously: Provide classes, walks, and talks from conservation experts.
Design for coexistence: Use wildlife-safe trash storage, bird feeder rules, and landscaping that minimizes conflict.
Bottom Line
Living next to conservation land isn’t about a manicured park. It’s about preserving the wild, learning to coexist with it, and passing a sustainable environment to future generations.
Michele Lerner
Michele Lerner is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and author who has been writing about real estate, personal finance and business topics for more than two decades.