Upcoming Events
Follow the link above to check out PEC sponsored events. Or read below for a variety of events sponsored by groups throughout the region.
(Loudoun) Learn more about a 765-kV transmission line proposed to cross through parts of Frederick and Loudoun County Virginia.
(Albemarle) Bring your children and explore the natural world through story, song, games, and crafts at the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville.
(Albemarle)Take a winter walk through the Ivy Creek Natural Area. Your guide will point out plants, fungi, insects and animals visible in winter and explain their history and how they have adapted to survive under winter conditions.
(Albemarle) Attend the Monticello Bird Club Meeting at the Ivy Creek Natural Area and hear the talk "The Bobwhites and the Bees" to learn about the quail action plan and early-succession habitat.
(Fauquier) Join the Local Food Project at Airlie for their Winter Forum on Farm Systems Design. This class will feature an up-close look at whole farm systems design presented by Essex Farm in New York and Half Pint Farm in Vermont.
(Albemarle) Join the Rivanna Trails Foundation for a morning of trail building on Saturday January 10th.
(Clarke) Bring the kids to explore the natural world at Blandy Farm & State Arboretum in Boyce. Participants will learn about nature through observation and hands-on activities during the 2009 Young Naturalist Program.
(Loudoun) Learn how you can participate in citizen science and how to monitor habitats and collect data. This presentation will discuss bird surveys, butterfly counts, stream & amphibian monitoring, bluebird nesting, and much more.
(Fauquier) Enjoy a walk at Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane and explore winter wildlife and plants with The Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society.
(Culpeper) The Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission will be hosting a third meeting to discuss strategies to reduce water quality impairments for portions of the Rush, Hughs, and Hazel Rivers.
(Orange) Explore the "Big Woods" just behind the back lawn of James Madison's Montpelier. This 200 acre forest is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont.
(Albemarle) Come hear Ruth Douglas of the Virginia Native Plant Society speak about non-native invasive plants and what is currently being done at local and state levels.
(Charlottesville) Participants will learn about water conservation, rainwater collection, and local efforts to protect water at this seminar sponsored by the Habitat store.
(Albemarle) Are you interested in the outdoors and conserving our local natural heritage? The Ivy Creek Natural Area is hosting an informational meeting on the Virginia Master Naturalist training program which runs from February-May.
(Loudoun) Search the back roads of Loudoun County for birds of prey wintering in the area. The group will make frequent stops on this driving tour to find and identify hawks, owls, and other birds of prey.
(Nelson) Join the Wintergreen Nature Foundation for the 2009 Winter Lecture Series: Living with the Planet. This is the first in a series of lectures that will be held at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton.
(Charlottesville) Bring your Teddy Bear for a hike along the Rivanna Trail in Charlottesville! Dress warmly and bring your favorite stuffed toy to learn how the city's forests help real animals stay warm in winter.
(Loudoun) Explore winter ecology during this nature walk at the Rust Sanctuary. This program is part of a new series "Rust Through the Seasons."
(Albemarle) Learn about local history as Dede Smith presents over 200 years of history of Ivy Creek. Stories will include Hydraulic Mills, Hugh Carr & Riverview Farm, and the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir.
(Loudoun) Attend this free bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship in northwestern Loudoun County. The 900-acre preserve is a hot spot for birds along the Potomac & Shenandoah Rivers and forested slopes of the Blue Ridge.
(Charlottesville) Learn how to gauge water quality and stream health at this introductory StreamWatch training in Charlottesville. Participants will learn the fundamentals of benthic invertebrate sampling during this workshop at Ivy Creek Natural Area.
(Clarke) Learn about habitats, food webs, and unique adaptations of Virginia's critters during this series of the 2009 Young Naturalist Program at Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum in Clarke.
(Richmond) Come support clean water with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and join hundreds of other supporters in Richmond for the Rally for Clean Water. There will be issue briefings and individual meetings with legislators as well.
(Charlottesville) Bundle up the kids and bring them to the Ivy Creek Toddler Time event. This read-aloud and trail walk is designed for 3-5 year olds and will be hosted by volunteer guide Rachel Bush at the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville.
(Prince William) Join the Virginia Cooperative Extension for a forestry & wildlife conference in Manassas. Both small and large landowners are encouraged to attend to learn about forest threats.
(Leesburg) Attend this Film Fest and enjoy short and informative films that will focus on ways to live more sustainably.
(Prince William) Meet frogs and amphibians up close at this presentation sponsored by the Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington. Participants will also learn how they can help keep species around this area.
(Albemarle) Bring your child to explore the Ivy Creek Natural Area and learn about the natural world through song, games, and crafts. Storyteller and nature-educator Kate White will tell stories and share the joy of nature.
(Albemarle) Are you a new or prospective beekeeper? The Central VA Beekeepers Association will present this workshop that will discuss the lives of honeybees, setting up a hive, seasonal management, honey production, and more.
(Loudoun) Take advantage of the varied habitat at Algonkian Park and find out what kind of birds frequent the park.
(Rappahannock) Learn about wildlife habitats at the Wildlife Habitat Open House sponsored by PEC & RLEP. There will be presentations and activities for children and adults and conservation organizations will be available to answer questions.
(Albemarle) Discover winter birds with the Monticello Bird Club as they guide you through the Ivy Creek Natural Area during this winter bird walk.
(Clarke) Create and explore water models and become a part of a living watershed during this kids program at the Blandy Experimental Farm & State Arboretum in Clarke.
(Loudoun) While many people stay indoors, you can enjoy the beauty of a season when the sky is so clear you can see forever and the sun casts the longest shadows.
(Charlottesville) Join the Virginia Native Plant Society and hear about research and advocacy for native plants at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
(Albemarle) Join the Monticello Bird Club and hear about one man's experience photographing native species across Virginia's varied terrain.
(Charlottesville) Learn about permaculture during this 72-hour certificate course sponsored by The Blue Ridge Permaculture Network. Students will learn the foundation for understanding & working with natural systems to design sustainable environments.
(Albemarle) Piedmont Virginia Community College and the Ivy Creek Foundation team up to bring you this course on field ornithology. Come learn about birds in Virginia!
(Albemarle) Vintage Virginia Apples will discuss pruning of orchard trees during this workshop in North Garden, VA.
(Albemarle) Vintage Virginia Apples will present how to propagate and graft apples onto rootstock during this workshop in North Garden, VA.
(Albemarle) Vintage Virginia Apples will present how to plan, manage, and cultivate a home orchard during this workshop in North Garden, VA.
(Loudoun) Search for winter raptors, owls, and hawks in Fauquier County during this excursion with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy & Audobon Naturalist Society.
(Clarke) Children grades 1-5 will learn how to read and use maps during this program at Blandy Experimental Farm & State Arboretum in Boyce.
(Loudoun) Bring the family and explore Banshee Reeks! Enjoy 725 acres of preserved natural area in the middle of Loudoun. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Banshee Reeks and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
(Albemarle) Explore the Ragged Mountain Natural Area near Charlottesville while learning to identify trees without their leaves. Some distinguishing characteristics covered will be bark, branching, and seeds.
(Charlottesville) Interested in becoming a Charlottesville Area Tree Steward? Begin the required training, and gain valuable knowledge about tree identification, tree care, and the benefit of trees in urban and rural settings.
(Charlottesville) Bundle up the kids and bring them to the Ivy Creek Toddler Time event. This read-aloud and trail walk is designed for 3-5 year olds and will be hosted by volunteer guide Rachel Bush at the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville.
(Richmond) Join the Virginia Association for Biological Farming at their 10th Annual Conference. This year's theme is Community Based Food Systems and will feature natural pest control, ecological livestock raising, organic produce, and much more.
(Nelson) Join the Wintergreen Nature Foundation for the 2009 Winter Lecture Series: Living with the Planet. This is the second in a series of lectures that will be held at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton.
(Loudoun) Learn about nesting habits of bluebirds and how you can participate in monitoring their nesting habits at this program sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
(Charlottesville) Join the Ivy Creek Foundation and the Charlottesville Astronomical Society in learning about the stars and Nebulas that can be seen this time of year. Bring a telescope or use those provided and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
(Loudoun) Come to Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve and learn about the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy bluebird nest box monitoring program. Register to provide information about your home nest box, or just learn how to set up a nest box with predator guards.
(Albemarle) Bring your children and explore the natural world through story, song, games, and crafts at the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville.
(Charlottesville) New to the Beekeeping scene? Attend the first meeting of the year and find out what the Central Virginia Beekeepers are all about.
(Charlottesville) Ever wonder what you would do in a situation where medical help was delayed? This weekend course is ideal for hikers, bikers, paddlers, climbers, and all others looking for instruction in safety and first aid when out and about.
(Clarke) Young naturalists will enjoy this program as they discover budding plants, emerging wildlife, migrating birds, and other signs of spring at Blandy Experimental Farm & State Arboretum in Boyce.
(Loudoun) Learn about and explore vernal pool habitats with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Audubon Naturalist Society. Consider becoming a monitor for the LWC and track amphibious life throughout the 2009 season.
(Charlottesville) Join the Monticello Bird Club and begin your morning with a hike around the Ivy Creek Natural Area. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring with other nature lovers!
(Loudoun) Encounter salamanders, frogs, and fairy shrimp during this "crash-course" workshop on spring pools. Visit vernal pools and wetlands in the Leesburg area and experience local wetlands habitats.
(Nelson) Join the Wintergreen Nature Foundation for the 2009 Winter Lecture Series: Living with the Planet. This is the final lecture in a series that will be held at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton.
(Loudoun) Learn about frog calls, habitat sites, egg masses, and monitoring protocol. Find out what it takes to be an amphibian monitor and practice identification skills.
(Loudoun) Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and naturalist Phil Daley to learn about the basics of birding. All bird watchers (ages 7 and up) are welcome!
(Charlottesville) Attend this lecture by Karen Tei Yamashita, a professor of creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Part of the University of Virginia's Brown College Environmental Writers series.
(Loudoun) Learn how to make bluebird nest boxes safe from predators such as snakes, cats, and raccoons. Construct your own predator guard to protect birds in your yard.
(Albemarle) Learn the art and science of making fresh cider from Terry Maloney of West County Cider at this event sponsored by Vintage Virginia Apples. Participants will enjoy tasting samples from the mill and view cider making demonstrations.
(Fauquier) Living historians, drill teams, period musicians, educators, historical interpreters, re-enactors, authors, and all who love to share history: Join the Southern Fauquier Historical society in celebrating Fauquier's 250th anniversary.
