On November 12, 2022, 33 volunteers joined PEC staff at Clermont Farm in Berryville, VA, to plant 287 native seeds and shrubs seedlings!
Clarke County
Clarke County has a time-honored tradition of promoting and protecting its agricultural roots. It was one of the first counties in the nation to adopt protective zoning regulations, and continues to conserve its unique heritage.
![Planting Trees at Long Branch](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/52476742889_699f23c2f4_o-1024x683.jpg)
Planting Trees at Long Branch
On October 31, 2022, 23 volunteers joined PEC staff at Long Branch Historic House and Farm in Boyce, VA, to plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs.
![2022 Highlights](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/southwings_october_loudoun_clarke_credit_hugh_kenny-09787-1-1024x692.jpg)
2022 Highlights
Learn about our efforts to expand conservation and restoration efforts, empower local communities, invest in public access, and connect consumers to local farms in 2022.
![2022 Photo Contest Winners](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/Sunset-casts-a-warm-glow-over-Crozet-at-the-peak-of-fall-foliage-Cassidy-Girvin-1024x872.jpg)
2022 Photo Contest Winners
Here are our 2022 photo contest winners! Take a look at these incredible images from around the Virginia Piedmont.
![Return of the Grassland Birds](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/kestrel_banding_October_Greenfield_Sky_Meadows_5.26.22_credit_Hugh_Kenny_The_Piedmont_Environmental_Council-59-of-75-1024x683.jpg)
Return of the Grassland Birds
The new Virginia (formerly Piedmont) Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI) is showing promising signs of returning those birds to the Virginia landscape. With grant funding, the program pays farmers to adopt bird-friendly best management practices.
![Along the Route 50 Corridor](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/rt._50_meeting_upperville_buchanan_hall_7.12.22credit_hugh_kenny_PEC-4-of-32-1024x683.jpg)
Along the Route 50 Corridor
The beauty of the Route 50 corridor is not an accident. It has taken multi-generational involvement in local decision-making to plan for and preserve this historic east-west passage. PEC has played a part in that by working with communities and partner organizations to identify threats and opportunities that could impact the corridor’s scenic character and its function as a powerful economic engine for tourism revenue.
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 tree plantings + Orvis Giveback days](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/thunder_lane_tree_planting_culpeper_4.14.22_credit_Hugh_Kenny_PEC-05860-1024x683.jpg)
Fall tree plantings + Orvis Giveback days
As PEC’s Tree Planting and Stewardship Coordinator, I’d like to invite you to join our conservation team this fall to plant native trees and shrubs along waterways in the Virginia Piedmont. We’re looking for volunteers to help out on four different days in October and November.
![PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/web_size_Glow_Rime_Glow_nick_palastro_landscapes_2021_photo_contest_finalist_RimeIceLightning121920-Nick-Palastro-Nick-Palastro-1-1024x684.jpg)
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](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/thunder_lane_tree_planting_culpeper_4.14.22_credit_Hugh_Kenny_PEC-05778-1024x683.jpg)
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.