We are happy to announce our accreditation as a land trust was renewed in August, 2022 — a mark of distinction in land conservation. Initially accredited in 2011, the renewal by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission signifies its continued confidence that the lands that PEC holds in easement will be protected forever.
PEC
On the Ground Updates – September 2022
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Fall 2022 Piedmont View
The fall 2022 edition of the Piedmont View features summer fellowship highlights, PEC’s annual virtual auction, climate conversations in Albemarle, a soil health Q&A, upcoming events, and more.
Kim Biasiolli
Kim joined the Piedmont Environmental Council in September of 2022, with over 20 years of experience working on biodiversity protection, natural resources management, and land conservation projects and initiatives.
PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30
Now through September 30, professional and amateur photographers alike are invited to submit their best images of the beautiful Virginia Piedmont in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 11th Annual Photo Contest. All image submissions must be taken within Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.
Fall 2022 Tree Planting Opportunities
We’re so excited to announce four volunteer tree plantings for the fall! Planting native trees and shrubs along streams, rivers, and ponds – also known as riparian buffers – is a way to help clean water and connect wildlife habitat. Our tree plantings will take place in Clarke, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties in October and November.
Sarah Parmelee
Sarah Parmelee joined PEC in August of 2022 and covers land use and transportation issues in Culpeper County.
Webinar: Climate Change: What does it mean for Albemarle County?
Wondering what we can expect for climate impacts in Albemarle County? The Cville100 Climate Coalition held a virtual presentation on August 23, 2022 to hear an overview of the recently released Albemarle County Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment.
Three local groups unite against proposed Amazon data center and associated transmission line
The local citizen group Protect Fauquier and nonprofit organizations Citizens For Fauquier County (CFFC) and The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) are united against Amazon’s proposed data center project near Blackwell Road. The data center would sit at the northern gateway into Warrenton, along with a new Dominion electric substation, and would require miles of new high voltage transmission lines supported by 110-feet-tall steel towers, according to Dominion Energy.
Utility-Scale Solar
Over the past few years, the declining cost of solar panels, coupled with rising demand for green energy sources has spurred interest in the development of utility-scale solar facilities throughout Virginia. These facilities are often located in rural areas, consume numerous acres (many are well over 1000 acres) and are incorrectly referred to as solar farms. They have many of the same environmental benefits as rooftop solar. However, they more resemble light industrial sites and it is proving difficult at best to protect our natural, cultural, and historic resources from poorly sited facilities.