Rooted in Responsibility: Where Community & Conservation Meet

Biltmore’s values are rooted in responsibility, and have been since 1895 when George Vanderbilt invited the first guests to experience his new home in Asheville, NC.

If you’ve visited the estate in recent years, you have been immersed in our preservation mission first-hand as you’ve explored a newly restored room, admired an expertly-conserved work of art for the first time, or strolled across hand-laid brick pavers in Stable Courtyard.

What you may not have noticed, however, are the less visible corporate responsibility efforts that go on behind the scenes every day to create focus and accountability for our impact on society and conservation of our environment.

In celebration of Preservation Month during May, we invite you to take a look at how a family legacy guides the way we care for the people and world around us.

Every year, wildflowers and food plots are planted around the estate to support pollinators and wildlife.

Preservation with purpose

Though the term corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is relatively modern, the work behind the scenes at Biltmore is not.

“Corporate social responsibility has its beginnings in the way George Vanderbilt and his collaborators created this place, and that has continued through all the generations of family owners and leadership,” shares Tim Rosebrock, who serves as Biltmore’s Vice President of Legal & Compliance, and collaborates with leaders across the company and in the wider community to ensure that the values George Vanderbilt instilled are carried out with intention today.

At Biltmore, the purpose of corporate social responsibility is to contribute positively to the environment and society. These two focus areas are directly connected back to George and Edith Vanderbilt’s legacies and are supported through company-wide initiatives for sustained impact over time.

Biltmore is proud to support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) in their efforts to protect undisturbed lands, view sheds, and biodiversity of our region.

Environmental impact: the root of it all

In the 1880s, George Vanderbilt envisioned Biltmore as a self-sustaining estate that nurtured the land and its resources. With the help of experts like Frederick Law Olmsted and Gifford Pinchot, what was once over-farmed and over-forested land became a model for sustainable and regenerative practices.

Today, we continue to honor this vision through our approach to environmental stewardship, sustainable agriculture and forestry, waterway management, and historic preservation of the estate. 

“But our commitment doesn’t stop at the gates,” says Tim. “We support local partners whose missions are to protect the greater region—preserving open spaces, view sheds, and biodiversity across Western North Carolina.”

Archival image of Cornelia and John Cecil at the 1930 opening of Biltmore House to the public.

Societal impact: it takes a village

While George and Edith Vanderbilt’s commitment to their community and staff more than a century ago inspires our values, it was the next generation that made a big decision that left a lasting impact on Biltmore’s broader impact on the local economy.

According to Tim, “One of the most important impacts for our community over time goes back to 1930 when Asheville city leaders came to John and Cornelia Cecil and said, ‘Would you open Biltmore House to help us stimulate tourism?’”

Fast forward nearly 100 years, and Biltmore’s leaders remain committed to creating a welcoming culture for employees and guests on the estate and to supporting the community around us through partnerships with local organizations.

Biltmore team members “Pack to Give Back” with MANNA Foodbank.

Fulfilling our mission

“I think the decisions that every single one of us makes every single day are what ladder up to fulfilling our mission of preservation, living out our core values of integrity and community. And those small decisions make big contributions over time,” shares Tim.

A few real-world examples of decisions we make include:

• Composting more than 1 million pounds of waste onsite for horticultural use
• Sustainably managing more than 4,000 acres of forests and 2,500 acres of farmland
• Ongoing historic preservation projects around the estate
• Making financial contributions to local community aid and land conservation organizations
• Making our historic interpretation accessible with more language options
• Facilitating employee-led “green” teams and volunteer groups
• Creation of the Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC, contributing $2 million to local Helene recovery

Sustaining a legacy through corporate responsibility

As a company committed to continuous improvement, we recognize that there will always be more work to be done. We are honored to continue contributing to our society and natural environment for future generations. It’s the passion, purpose, and people of Biltmore who are carrying George Vanderbilt’s vision into the future, one thoughtful choice at a time.

Want to learn more about Biltmore’s ongoing preservation, community involvement, and environmental stewardship efforts? Be sure to follow us on social media, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and sign up for email newsletters for an ongoing look behind the scenes.