Barnes, James

Central Warrenton Office
(540) 341-2334 ext. 30
jbarnes[at]pecva.org

James Barnes joined The Piedmont Environmental Council in 2011. Born and raised in the foothills and piedmont of North Carolina, he holds a Field Naturalist M.S. from the University of Vermont (UVM) and a B.S. in biology & psychology from NC State University.

Before joining PEC, he led the Forest Health Works Project at the RI Natural History Survey and Department of Environmental Management -- a state-wide effort to improve the long- term health of Rhode Island's forests, and to provide economic development through ecological restoration and job creation. James has worked as an environmental educator and extension agent at the UVM, where he founded The Land Stewardship Program (LANDS) in partnership with the Student Conservation Association.

In a prior career, he worked as neurobiologist, but realized he'd rather be outside. He's originally from Wilkesboro, NC, and picks a banjo whenever possible.

Bingol, Gem

Clarke and Loudoun County Field Officer, 703-431-6941, gbingol[at]pecva.org

A PEC field officer since 1998, Gem Bingol started in Loudoun, then assumed the land use officer position in Clarke and now divides her time between both counties. Gem's focus is on helping citizens make a positive impact on their communities. Citizen activism, born out of her independent study Masters program, initially drew her to PEC. She helped form and support Sustainable Loudoun Network and two Leesburg grassroots groups.