For Immediate Release

Contact:
Bob Lazaro, PEC Director of Communications
Cell: (571) 225-0198

Heather Richards Named PEC Director of Land Conservation
Winchester Resident to Lead Land Conservation Efforts in Piedmont

(Warrenton, VA - January 22, 2008) Christopher G. Miller, President of the Piedmont Environmental Council, is pleased to announce that Heather Richards of Winchester, Virginia has been named PEC's Director of Land Conservation.

"Heather represents a new generation of conservation leaders in the Piedmont, our Commonwealth and the nation and we at PEC are delighted to be able to promote her to lead our land conservation efforts," said Miller. "Land owners in the Piedmont love their land and I am confident with Heather's leadership and our great staff we will continue to protect what many hold dear in our communities."

"I am honored to be appointed to this position," said Richards. "I look forward to continuing to work with land owners across the nine county region that makes up the Piedmont to help them voluntarily conserve their lands and protect our region's quality of life."

Heather Richards returned to PEC in October 2006. Before re-joining PEC, Heather was the Director of Headwaters Conservation for Potomac Conservancy in Winchester, Virginia, where she oversaw all land protection projects and guided strategy for the Shenandoah program and projects in the headwaters region of the Potomac River watershed. Heather was also responsible for the stewardship and monitoring of all Potomac Conservancy conservation easements.

Prior to working with the Conservancy, Heather developed and managed a Geographic Information System for PEC. Heather also has a background in wildlife conservation policy through her work in the Species Conservation Division at Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, D.C. where she was part of a team that facilitated the reintroduction of wolves, swift fox, and black-footed ferrets.

Heather holds a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and a B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Policy from American University. Heather and her husband Kevin live in historic Winchester, Virginia.