They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, and that couldn’t be more true than when it comes to the beauty of Virginia’s Piedmont. No one knows this better than our regional photographers. With this region’s mountains, rolling farmland, forests, meadows, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, plants, interesting towns and history—it’s enough to make anyone have to grab a camera and start shooting. PEC will continue to celebrate the Piedmont’s photographers of all skill levels with the opening of our 4th Annual Photo Contest this July. We’ve been delighted with the success of our past three contests, and we are excited to see this year’s submissions. Read More

Last April, I wrote a newspaper column celebrating Earth Day 2013. I pointed out that, in the words of a wise friend, there are in fact two Earth Days each year. In April we celebrate our planet’s physical and biological assets—the ecosystems that support all life and add beauty and wonder to the human experience. Earth Day #2 is Election Day, when we choose officials who will determine the rules by which we protect— or don’t protect—our little section of planet Earth. Read More

PEC’s Fellowship Program, which just finished its 7th year, gives college and graduate students a comprehensive look at the work PEC does in this region. Through classroom discussions, field trips, hands-on activities, and a final project—participants gain practical knowledge and skills to transition into careers in conservation, urban planning, agriculture, historic preservation, public policy, and other related fields. PEC’s staff obviously thinks the Fellowship is a great program, but don’t take our word for it! Check out what some fellows said after completing the program this summer: Read More