We are so excited for our three volunteer tree plantings this fall! Planting native trees and shrubs along streams, rivers, and ponds – also known as riparian buffers – is a way to help clean water and connect wildlife habitat.
PEC
Assma Shabab
Assma joined PEC in August 2025 as the Cartographer and GIS Analyst. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hollins University.
Facts About the Gigaland Data Center Project
A massive data center complex known as Gigaland is being proposed in Remington, Fauquier County VA. The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) opposes the outsized development, which we believe will overwhelm the town and open the door for more data centers and transmission lines, straining electricity and water supplies in Fauquier and contributing to unhealthy air, noise and water pollution.
Laura Schliesske
Laura Schliesske joined The Piedmont Environmental Council as an Advancement Assistant in August 2025. Prior to that, Laura worked as a ranger at Sky Meadows State Park, where she gained a deep appreciation for PEC’s conservation work.
Randal Fellows Alumni Testimonials
More than 200 college-age students have graduated from our Randal Fellowship Program. Hear what alumni had to say in their own words.
Evelyn Eichorn
Evelyn Eichorn joined The Piedmont Environmental Council as a Senior Land Use Field Representative for Fauquier County in June 2025. Evelyn grew up in Michigan, the heart of the Great Lakes region, known for its agriculture and recreation. After spending most of her formative years on farms, in 4-H, and with horses, she pursued degrees in business and agriculture.
A Great Day at Eldon Farms: Annual Gathering Recap
his year’s annual gathering on June 8 – Inspiring Conservation – was a particularly special event at a truly magnificent property that is a shining example of how conservation and thoughtful land stewardship can align to support the community, agriculture and biodiversity.
Data Centers: Industry Impacts In Virginia
Virginia holds the largest global concentration of data centers anywhere in the world. This multibillion-dollar industry requires huge amounts of energy, land, and water, resulting in widespread community impacts. Without swift intervention, data centers in the Commonwealth will derail critical climate goals and efforts to improve air and water quality, advance land conservation, and protect national and state parks.
On the Ground Updates – June 2025
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Jasmin Khangura
Jasmin joined PEC in May 2025 as the Senior Cartographer and GIS Analyst. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and then got her Master’s at George Mason University in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences.