Through the generous support of our members and help from PEC’s partners, a lot of great things have happened this year! We’ve pulled together this quick list of some of the highlights from 2018 throughout our 9-county region.
Marco Sanchez
Stream crossing projects aim to ease passage for fish, and people
The Piedmont Environmental Council and Virginia Department of Transportation are collaborating to reconnect brook trout habitat and improve flood resiliency and public road-stream crossings in the Virginia Piedmont.
Keynote Speaker to Discuss Benefits of Strong Towns at PEC’s Annual Meeting
The leader of an organization that educates American communities on the benefits of smart planning believes that desirable urban communities can play a role in promoting rural land conservation.
Family Farm Preserved for Future Generations
This summer, in an effort to preserve the prime farmland and help ensure continued operations, the Nixons chose to permanently protect 382 acres of their land through a conservation easement with the Piedmont Environmental Council, Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Groups Release Safety and Traffic Solutions for Route 15 North of Leesburg
With the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors scheduled to vote on a first phase widening of Route 15 for 3.6 miles north of Leesburg, a coalition of smart growth, conservation and preservation groups and numerous local residents are pressing the Board to instead adopt an approach that is safer, cheaper and more effective.
The Larson Native Plant Garden
“We want the land to serve as a showcase for future workshops to educate the public on the use of natives to create backyard habitat,” said Larson.
Fixing Rt. 15 North of Leesburg
I want to let you know about a critical transportation decision before the Board of Supervisors pertaining to Rt. 15 north of Leesburg. The County originally proposed 4-laning Rt. 15 from Battlefield Parkway to White’s Ferry Road, but then expanded the proposal to widen an additional 1.5 miles north to Montresor Road. Alternatively, we support putting a roundabout in place of a traffic light at the White’s Ferry intersection, and maintaining the road north of that at two lanes (with improved shoulders).
2018 Land Conservation Update
This semi-annual publication highlights some of the conservation opportunities that are available to landowners. This edition also includes 2017 Piedmont land conservation totals, upcoming landowner workshop details and information about a recent best management practice installation. View the PDF >>
Pipeline deals threaten conservation funding
Legislators are pointing to money that state and private entities will receive as mitigation for two gas pipeline projects, and the transmission line near Jamestown, as a justification for reducing overall state funding for conservation. Contact your legislators today and tell them to reject efforts to cut important conservation programs! This text was taken from an email alert sent out on February 21, 2018.
Conserved Land Now Totals 401,200 Acres
Data compiled by The Piedmont Environmental Council shows a total of 401,200 acres have been protected in Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties by landowners working together with land trusts and public agencies. The total includes 6,237 acres added in 2017.