As the fog broke on a brisk November morning in Madison County, more than three dozen people arrived at the Whiteoak Canyon trailhead ready to celebrate the new, 35-foot, open-span bridge over Cedar Run. They marveled at the sounds of water bubbling over the rocky streambed from the north side of the bridge to the south. Many walked upright beneath the sturdy, brown, steel-framed structure. And all excitedly searched the deep pools for our guests of honor—the native brook trout, a species of concern on Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan.
Maps & Resources
Montpelier CEO Kat Imhoff to join The Piedmont Environmental Council
Piedmont Environmental Council President Chris Miller is pleased to announce the appointment of Kat Imhoff to the organization’s staff on Dec. 2. Imhoff joins the organization following seven years as president and CEO of James Madison’s Montpelier
New bridge improves access to one of Shenandoah Park’s most unique trails
A new 35-foot span bridge across Cedar Run opened this week, offering hikers and nature-loving community members improved access to the popular Whiteoak Canyon trailhead and opening up three miles of stream habitat to native fish for the first time in decades. The effort is a public-private partnership between Shenandoah National Park, The Piedmont Environmental Council, Trout Unlimited, and the local landowners, the Graves family.
Gordonsville Parks Growing with New Addition
Town to Trail, a working group of the non-profit The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), is excited to announce the acquisition of the vacant lot at 204 Allen Street, which PEC purchased with contributions from private donors over the last year.
President’s Letter – Fall 2019
At this summer’s Sunset Safari event, The Piedmont Environmental Council, the Shenandoah National Park Trust, and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute recognized The Volgenau Foundation for its leadership and philanthropy in land conservation and restoration of native habitats in Virginia and beyond since 1994.
A Dirty Secret: How Construction Waste is Making its Way Onto Rural Lands
Steve and Jennifer Rainwater’s world was turned upside down in 2017 when an access road was built along their property line and hundreds of dump trucks started arriving to dump dirt, non-stop, on a section of the property, behind their house. The new access road created runoff and flooding problems that damaged their pastures and a small pond that had provided fresh water for the horses. Although silt fences were used in places, they regularly collapsed and were generally ineffective. The view from their second floor has changed from woods to a never-ending construction site.
From the Blue Ridge to the Bay
In June, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, working with the Montpelier Foundation, donated three conservation easements to PEC that permanently protected 1,024 acres at James Madison’s Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia. Thanks to a generous gift from the Mars family, the three easements will ensure the protection of agricultural resources, forest resources, scenic open space, historic landscapes and views, and wildlife habitat that exist on the property.
Greenways Plan Complete. Next Step: Implementation
Albemarle and Charlottesville reached an important milestone this spring when the Jefferson Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan received final approval. This document maps a comprehensive network of bike lanes, sidewalks, and shared-use paths that connect Charlottesville and Albemarle neighborhoods to schools, shopping, downtown, and natural areas while also identifying bicycle connections to and among adjoining counties.
On The Ground – Fall 2019
Updates from around the PEC region, organized by county.
Connecting Community: A park and trail effort in Gordonsville
Parks, trails, and sidewalks help weave a community together. Simply put, when we are connected to gathering places, we become better connected to each other. A walkable town or neighborhood allows for a stronger ‘sense of place’ to develop. This notion is behind a collaborative effort led by The Piedmont Environmental Council, residents and local businesses in Gordonsville, Virginia. The energetic group and initiative are called Town to Trail.