To donate by check, including IRA/QCD transfers, please make it out to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to PO Box 460, Warrenton VA, 20188. If you’d like your contribution to be restricted to a specific program area, please specify in the memo line or in an accompanying note.
PEC
![Creating Walkable Piedmont Communities: A Resource Guide](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/PATH_Walkable_Communities_Guidebook-791x1024.png)
Creating Walkable Piedmont Communities: A Resource Guide
This guidebook is intended for local government staff, community stakeholders, and residents interested in revitalizing downtown main streets, making neighborhood streets safer, and connecting parks, civic and natural amenities with trails.
Lauria McShane
Lauria McShane joined PEC’s staff in October 2023 as an assistant to the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative.
![Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative offers financial incentives for delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/community_conservation_walk_banner-1024x512.webp)
Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative offers financial incentives for delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling
Now through Nov. 15, the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative is accepting applications from producers who are interested in financial incentives for protecting nesting grassland birds during the 2024 haying season.
![Fall 2023 Piedmont View](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_data_center_asburn_loudoun_wod_trail_drone_4-10-23_credit_hugh_kenny_pec-19-1024x683.webp)
Fall 2023 Piedmont View
In this issue: Meet two of PEC’s newer land use staff; data center implications for the region; highlights from the 2023 Summer Fellowship; PEC staff on the ground in our nine counties; and more.
![On The Ground Updates – September 2023](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/charlottesville_downtown_albemarle_drone_sunset_8.1.22_credit_hugh_kenny_pec_1_1200x-1024x536.webp)
On The Ground Updates – September 2023
A series of short updates from around the PEC region.
![PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/photo_contest_header_2023-1024x341.webp)
PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30
Now through September 30, photographers are invited to submit their best images of the Virginia Piedmont to PEC’s 12th Annual Photo Contest.
![This May, Orvis Giveback Days Will Raise Money for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Tree Planting Program](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/orvis-giveback-days-may-banner-2-1200x-1024x536.webp)
This May, Orvis Giveback Days Will Raise Money for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Tree Planting Program
During the month of September, when you shop at your local Orvis store in Arlington, Leesburg or Tysons Corner part of your purchase goes to support local land and water conservation efforts! For every purchase over $10, Orvis will donate $10 on your behalf to The Piedmont Environmental Council as a part of their Giveback Days campaign.
![PEC’s Annual Photo Contest](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/homepage/taking_picture_snp_sunset_credit_natalie_sheffield_2000x-1024x512.jpg)
PEC’s Annual Photo Contest
PEC is hosting its annual photo contest. The deadline for submitting photos will be September 30, 2023.
Liese Dart Hodges
Liese Dart Hodges joined PEC in August 2023 as the Senior Strategy & Advancement Officer.