Over the past few years, the declining cost of solar panels, coupled with rising demand for green energy sources has spurred interest in the development of utility-scale solar facilities throughout Virginia. These facilities are often located in rural areas, consume numerous acres (many are well over 1000 acres) and are incorrectly referred to as solar farms. They have many of the same environmental benefits as rooftop solar. However, they more resemble light industrial sites and it is proving difficult at best to protect our natural, cultural, and historic resources from poorly sited facilities.
PEC
On the Ground Updates – September 2020
Read on for a series of short updates from each of PEC’s nine counties.
Virtual House Party and Auction
PEC’s Virtual House Party & Auction is closed for bidding, but the paddle raise is open through September 30.
Scenic Rivers in the Piedmont – A StoryMap
In 2020, the state of Virginia commemorates 50 years of dedication and commitment to the conservation of Virginia’s water resources through the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program. In honor of that anniversary, PEC Fellowship program participants, Meredith Hickman and David Malcolm, created a StoryMap that celebrates the ten designated scenic rivers in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s region.
Many Ways to Give
Supporting PEC’s work building strong communities and improving the environment in the Virginia Piedmont can take many forms. In addition to gifts of cash or securities, which are most common, you may also be interested in the following opportunities:
Welcome 2020 Fellows!
Our 2020 Fellowship program is going digital this summer. Eleven college students from around the country are participating in our 14th annual PEC Fellowship Program.
PEC’s Gilberts Corner Farmers Market
The Gilberts Corner Farmers Market sits at the intersections of Route 15 and Route 50 in Loudoun County, about 1 mile east of Aldie, Virginia. In 2019, The Piedmont Environmental Council proudly announced our new ownership of the market and set forth with plans to enhance its history as a place to find local food and fiber.
On the Ground – Summer 2020
Updates from around the PEC region, organized by county. Albemarle: Comprehensive Plan Updates. Clarke: StoryMap & Upcoming Webinars. Culpeper: Land Use Update, Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain State Park Study. Fauquier: Fauquier Farm & Land Conservation, Tree Giveaway, Rezonings and Plan Amendments. Greene: Growth & Development, Stormwater Runoff Assistance. Loudoun: Community Farm Update, Zoning Updates, Project Threatens Historic St. Louis. Madison: Potential Communications Tower, Conservation & Stewardship, Potential Rural Resort. Orange: Land Use Update, Green Streets. Rappahannock: Clean Water, More Trees.
On the Ground – Spring 2020
Updates from around the PEC region, organized by county. Albemarle: Morven East and City Comp Plan. Clarke: Planning & Water Quality. Culpeper: Clevengers Corner, History and the Hazel River. Fauquier: Sanctuary at Barrel Oak & Community Planning Initiatives. Greene: Streetscaping and Community Mobility. Loudoun: Land Use Planning. Madison: Criglersville School & Zoning Ordinance Changes. Orange: New County Administrator, Gordonsville Park. Rappahannock: “Beaver Believers” make a splash at local event.
Osage Oranges, Hydrological Cycles, and Ruminations on Conservation Easements
My wife and I, and our animal family, have lived on the same farm in Clarke County for over 35 years. We donated an easement on our land 20 years ago for the usual reasons—we loved the farm and wanted to make sure it wouldn’t become a future subdivision. We feel that we are all part of human settlement on the landscape and everything we do should be compatible with nature’s processes.