The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded PEC a $200,000 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund this past October. With this grant, PEC will collaborate with Loudoun County, the Town of Lovettsville, Loudoun County Master Gardeners and Loudoun homeowners associations to implement projects that involve planting native trees and shrubs, improving stormwater facilities and reducing polluted runoff in Loudoun County communities.
Efforts funded by the grant will assist the Broadlands, Sugarland Run and New Town Meadows neighborhoods in Loudoun County. PEC will work with the Loudoun County Master Gardeners to help residents reduce their use of fertilizers as well as create and implement urban nutrient management plans for common areas.
Other projects will increase the use of native shrubs and trees, which helps reduce polluted stormwater runoff. In one of the more innovative techniques, a floating island of plants will increase water filtration in a stormwater pond.
The Town is excited to be able to partner with The Piedmont Environmental Council to improve our town and protect the Chesapeake Bay by ensuring the health of our streams.
In Lovettsville, the grant provides $137,250 to significantly reduce sediment and pollution from runoff. The funds will allow the town to redesign and retrofit a deficient stormwater facility and reduce an existing drainage problem.
“The Town is excited to be able to partner with The Piedmont Environmental Council to improve our town and protect the Chesapeake Bay by ensuring the health of our streams. We look forward to a more beautiful and safe center of our Town through this worthwhile project,” said Lovettsville Mayor Robert Zoldos III.
This article was featured in our Winter 2014 Member Newsletter, The Piedmont View.