On Wednesday, members of the Virginia House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources voted to make wedding events a protected activity under the definition of “agritourism.”…The net result? The bill would essentially make wedding events a by-right activity on any farm or winery. It would allow for weddings of any size on farms to become a 365-day a year activity. This would prevent reasonable regulation and protection from impacts (traffic, noise, lighting, runoff, etc.) to neighbors and the broader community.
Marco Sanchez
2018 Photo Contest Winners & Finalists
We asked you to pick your favorite photos in four different categories: Beautiful Landscapes and Streetscapes, Native Plants and Wildlife, Outreach and Communications and the Youth Category. Congrats to Piedmont locals Susan Tucker, Dave McCrabb, Phyllis Dawson and Conor Farrell for their respective category wins!
A Few Highlights from 2018
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.
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 >>