PEC

Lea Justice

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Buy Fresh Buy Local Assistant
540-347-2334 ext. 7027
[email protected]

Lea Justice joined The Piedmont Environmental Council as Buy Fresh Buy Local Assistant in the fall of 2024. She is honored to contribute to the mission of PEC as a resource-provider to the farming community and extended foodshed that sustains our region.

A vegetable farmer by trade, Lea has had her hands in the dirt for most of the last twenty years, on farms from Canada to Patagonia. Rooted more locally, Lea ran her own vegetable farm in the Shenandoah Valley since 2010. As a student and practitioner of sustainability, the importance of inter-locking support systems emerged as a core value. She spent time working and volunteering for non-profits in affordable housing, elder-care, equitable food access and outdoor education. Along the way, she learned invaluable lessons in not only how to grow food, but how to grow community. 

Lea enjoys fermenting flavorful concoctions from the garden and sharing them on picnic blankets with good folks and great views.

Keely Murphy

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Keely Murphy joins PEC as the Conservation Field Representative for the Potomac Watershed. Keely got her professional start in land conservation in Colorado where she worked for Colorado Open Lands as a Conservation Fellow. Prior to living in Colorado, she spent 10 years studying and working in Washington D.C. 

Dominion Energy Integrated Resource Plan projects historic rate increases for Virginia ratepayers while subsidizing the world’s wealthiest companies

Dominion Energy Integrated Resource Plan projects historic rate increases for Virginia ratepayers while subsidizing the world’s wealthiest companies

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The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) filed by Dominion
Energy with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC”) this week projects a more than 100
percent increase in electricity usage in the next 15 years, primarily driven by the explosive and
uncontrolled growth of data centers.

Amanda Aiyar

Amanda Aiyar

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HR & Payroll Specialist
540-347-2334 ext. 7013
[email protected]

Amanda joined The Piedmont Environmental Council team in August 2024 and serves as the HR & Payroll Specialist.

She attended Indiana University Bloomington, gaining a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Criminal Justice and Business Foundations Certificate, and later a M.S. in Communications from Purdue University. She spent 11 years in public service at a government agency before deciding she wanted to follow her passion for the outdoors.

This led to her to travel the United States for a past year and explore the country’s many beautiful parks and forests. She fell in love with Virginia while section hiking the Appalachian Trail and spending time in the multiple trail towns along the way.  In her spare time, Amanda loves to hike, climb, backcountry camp, read and spend time with her husband and dog.

On The Ground Updates – September 2024

On The Ground Updates – September 2024

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A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.

A Match Made in Conservation

A Match Made in Conservation

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Stepping into land conservation for the first time, or starting a new conservation project, can feel as intimidating or overwhelming as a first date might feel. But in these brightly lit rooms with friendly faces, VGBI’s Conservation Speed Dating workshops replace the awkward small-talk with a fun and comfortable atmosphere where neighbors come together with conservation professionals to receive guidance.

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative offers financial incentives for delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative offers financial incentives for delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling

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Now through Nov 15, the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI) is accepting applications from producers in 16 counties across the northern Virginia Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Shenandoah Valley, who are interested in financial incentives for protecting nesting grassland birds during the 2025 haying season.

Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop and Social – August 6, 2024

Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop and Social – August 6, 2024

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If you were unable to attend or need a refresher, The Piedmont Environmental Council and our fantastic conservation partners are here to help you explore your options! Below you will find the presentations along with the direct contact information for each program.