The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) was founded in 1972 and has a mission to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Headquartered in Warrenton, VA, we have offices throughout a nine-county region that includes Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties and the City of Charlottesville.
The region, which includes several of the fastest-growing jurisdictions in the nation, has faced serious challenges over the decades. Yet, the people of the Piedmont care deeply about it and have strived to protect its special places and natural values. In 1972, their energy, commitment and collaboration gave shape to The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). Now one of the most effective community-based environmental groups in the country, PEC works with the residents of our nine-county region to conserve land, create thriving communities, strengthen rural economies, celebrate historic resources, protect air and water quality, build smart transportation networks, promote sustainable energy choices, restore wildlife habitat, and improve people’s access to nature.
Learn more about our mission →
PEC also teams up with local organizations to promote thriving communities and healthy natural resources in a much larger region, including the Shenandoah Valley, the central Piedmont, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Corridor. In addition, we are proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an organization that focuses on land use policy in the greater Washington D.C. area.
Donate to PEC
Support PEC’s important work on land use and conservation on the ground in our nine counties. Donate online or send a check made payable to “PEC” to The Piedmont Environmental Council, PO Box 460, Warrenton VA, 20188.
Staff and Board Listing
View a listing of PEC’s staff and board. For general inquiries email [email protected] or call our headquarters office at 540-347-2334.
Volunteer
Show your commitment to the Piedmont by becoming a PEC volunteer.
Submit Photos of Our Region
One of the easiest ways to support PEC’s mission might also be the most rewarding! PEC would be delighted and grateful to share your photographs or imagery with our audience. Images are needed for both print and electronic publications.
If you have photos that you would like to share, please email [email protected]. Be sure to include a basic description of the photograph (i.e. what is it off, where was it taken) and your name so that we can appropriately credit the photo. We also host an annual photo contest that kicks off each fall for this purpose.
Fellowship Program
The highly acclaimed PEC Fellowship is much more than an internship. Each year, twelve students are selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend eight weeks with The Piedmont Environmental Council, while studying with seasoned professionals in land conservation, planning, agriculture, and more.
Jobs & Internships
Be part of the PEC team. PEC has exciting employment opportunities and offers a fun and challenging work environment, generous benefits, and competitive salary commensurate with experience.
