The Piedmont Environmental Council is working with a diverse coalition of organizations and communities to envision and implement a comprehensive network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that is safe, inclusive, nature-full and useful for transportation in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Hugh Kenny
Video: Wrapping up 2020 at the Community Farm
We had an incredible 2020 season at the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows! Thanks to the tireless work of over 470 volunteers, we donated more than 25,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce to our partners at Loudoun Hunger Relief!
What was expected to be a slow and steady increase in production this year turned into something much more, as PEC worked to respond to the local impacts of Covid-19. We increased production by 4x what it was in 2019!
We need your support as we plan for the fast-approaching 2021 season. Make a donation today.
Read more about this season at the farm and the rest of PEC’s Farm to Food Pantry Initiatives
2020 Photo Contest Winners & Finalists
The winners have been announced for the Piedmont Environmental Council’s 11th Annual Photo Contest.
PEC’s Annual Photo Contest Kicks Off!
The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 2020 Photo Contest begins today! As a young photographer myself, I’ve been looking forward to hosting this annual showcase.
July at the Piedmont Memorial Overlook
The native flower meadow our Piedmont Memorial Overlook property is almost at peak bloom!
This 50-acre property, which has one of the best views in Northern Virginia, is publicly accessible via Sky Meadows State Park. It’s a one-way 1.6-mile hike there via the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail, but many people make it a 4.6-mile loop that includes a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
Video: Connecting Local Beef Farmers with Food Pantries
Building on the success of our dairy initiative, The Piedmont Environmental Council worked with Fauquier Community Food Bank and Lakota Ranch to pilot a new initiative — purchasing high-quality, locally-raised beef to donate to local food pantries experiencing shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Solarize Stories: Alisa Johnson of Oakham Farm
Alisa Johnson, owner of Oakham Farm in Middleburg, spoke about how simple and rewarding her experience with Solarize Piedmont was.
Connecting Local Dairy Farm and Food Pantry Needs
Local dairy farms are being hit particularly hard by Covid-19, so we decided to step in with an innovative way to get milk they produce to those most in need right now. When schools shut down in March, many farmers found themselves without a viable avenue to sell and distribute a large percentage of their milk.
Webinar: Fauquier Farm and Land Conservation
PEC’s Julian Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund and the Fauquier County Agricultural Development Department hosted this webinar for Fauquier County landowners interested in learning how to protect their land with a conservation easement, and also to promote the open application period for Fauquier County’s PDR program, which is currently accepting applications through June 30, 2020.
Webinar: Open Spaces & Public Places
PEC President Chris Miller gave this webinar on the importance of local parks, trails and open spaces, both during the pandemic and after.