Carolyn Smith’s Madison County property has been on quite the journey since her parents first purchased the former cattle operation in 1965. Donating a 129-acre conservation easement in late 2023 came on the heels of decades of successful land stewardship by Carolyn, her parents, and a community of partners who have worked to restore and repair the land for wildlife habitat, pollinators and native plants.
Publications
The Piedmont Environmental Council produces a number of publications — follow the links below to view PDFs of our newsletters, annual reports, Buy Fresh Buy Local guides and more.
![Closing 2023: President’s Letter](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/jean_perin_george_ohrstrom_credit_missy_janes1-683x1024.webp)
Closing 2023: President’s Letter
2023 has been an exciting year of reflecting on and restating the mission, priorities and programs of PEC with the rollout of a new strategic plan.
![On The Ground Updates – December 2023](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_Fifeville_Trail_Tonsler_Park_Charlottesville_10.25.22_credit_Hugh_Kenny_PEC-6-of-31-1024x683.webp)
On The Ground Updates – December 2023
A series of short land use and conservation updates from around the PEC region.
![Bringing Solar to Farms in the Piedmont](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_solar_on_the_farm_event_11-14-23_culpeper_county_credit_hugh_kenny_pec-43-1024x683.webp)
Bringing Solar to Farms in the Piedmont
Whether it’s DIY or in the hands of the Commonwealth’s many trusted local solar businesses, now is a better time than ever to go solar.
![Conservation Community Priorities for the 2024 General Assembly](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_Richmond_Capital_building_2.3.23_credit_Hugh_Kenny-06142-1024x683.webp)
Conservation Community Priorities for the 2024 General Assembly
With the many issues facing Virginia throughout the upcoming session, PEC staff will work with VCN and other allies to testify before the legislature, speak about budget priorities and amendments, and help lead with our strategic plan as our guide.
![Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_substation_transmission_loudoun_county_august_2023_credit_hugh_kenny_PEC-16-1024x767.webp)
Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals
We must address the booming data center growth in our state that is requiring unprecedented expansions of our energy grid and hindering our ability to get off of fossil fuels.
![Winter 2023 Piedmont View](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/alumni_features_nov_2023_1-1024x819.webp)
Winter 2023 Piedmont View
In this issue: a 2024 General Assembly preview; this year’s photo contest winners; a look at how PEC is bringing distributed solar to farms in the Piedmont; PEC staffer profiles, Out & About; and more.
![2023 Highlights: A Holistic Approach to Conservation](https://www.pecva.org/wp-content/uploads/1200px_greene_county_mountains_fall_Hugh_Kenny-2-1024x683.webp)
2023 Highlights: A Holistic Approach to Conservation
PEC works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. The following highlights reflect our work in 2023.
![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.
![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.