Prince William County is evaluating three different land use changes that would introduce industrial and residential sprawl into the Rural Crescent, to the detriment of water quality, wildlife habitat, agriculture, historic resources, tourism and the rural atmosphere.
Historic & Scenic Landscapes
The Piedmont’s beautiful vistas also present some of America’s most historic terrain.
Madison County plans May 15 event to announce and present newly digitized Madison County land condemnation records related to creation of Shenandoah National Park
In partnership with James Madison University, and with funding from the Madison County Historical Society, The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) has completed the digitization of thousands of legal documents related to the Commonwealth’s 1930s-era condemnation of private lands in Madison County for the creation of Shenandoah National Park (SNP).
Historic Thoroughfare At Risk
Currently facing development pressures, Thoroughfare is a historic African American community founded by formerly enslaved people that lies along Rt. 55 in western Prince William County at the edge of Haymarket.
Documenting the Freetowns of the Southwest Mountains
PEC is working with community members in Albemarle County to research and document the history and associated historic resources of African American communities in and around the Southwest Mountains.
Data Center Proposed in Historic Stevensburg
I am reaching out to you today about a proposal to rezone nearly 250 acres of agricultural land to light industrial in order to allow the construction of a massive 427,000 square foot data center (2x the size of the Walmart Supercenter) along Route 3 in the historic Stevensburg area.
Protecting a Historic Landscape in Orange County
Within the nationally recognized Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District, near Barboursville in Orange County, William K. “Wik” Dove II partnered with The Piedmont Environmental Council to permanently protect his 108 acres with a conservation easement.
2022-2024 Virginia Budget Priorities
The 2022-2024 biennium budget is an opportunity to make historic investments in the preservation and enjoyment of Virginia’s natural lands.
Update on the James-Brown Cemetery in Madison County
PEC hired an archaeological firm to undertake a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of the James-Brown Cemetary in Madison County.
St. John School – Rosenwald Funded
St. John School in Albemarle County was one of thousands of Rosenwald-funded schools built and operated for the purpose of educating Black children across the rural South during segregation.
Conservation Easement Stories: Dr. Sam Ahdoot
Dr. Sam Ahdoot placed her land in Rappahannock County under a conservation easement with The Piedmont Environmental Council in 2019. The easement was designed to have many public benefits, including the protection of clean water, restoration of native plant and wildlife habitat, and the scenic views from Shenandoah National Park and F.T. Valley Road.