There has always been a strong commitment to conservation in this community and a tradition of stewardship in support of the local ecosystems. Development in the area is subject to bylaws intended to lessen impact on local flora and fauna, as well as preserving the rural ambiance. People are encouraged to build homes that minimize negative environmental effects, and that blend into their surroundings. Stategies include positioning homes to be less visible from roads or viewpoints, avoiding vegetation removal where possible and employing natural materials in construction. The result of this commitment is a community that treads softly in nature, and is molded by the land rather than drastically altering the environment to suit its needs.

Homes in the Highlands range from rustic cabins to massive estate properties. There are people who live here full-time and those for whom the Highlands is their summer getaway. One thing you won’t find here is an urban style subdivision, a purposeful exclusion planned by the municipality to safeguard the rural atmosphere. People who choose to live here do so because they enjoy nature, and there is an ingrained tradition of volunteerism and a “help your neighbor” attitude that evokes the pioneer spirit of the past.