Our Region

PEC focuses on nine counties and one city in the northern Piedmont of Virginia: Albemarle, Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock.

We also team with local organizations to promote thriving communities and healthy natural resources in a much larger region, including the Shenandoah Valley, the central Piedmont, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Corridor. In addition, we are proud to serve as fiscal sponsor of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an organization that focuses on land use and policy in the greater Washington D.C. area.

Albemarle to Host Climate Resilience Planning Event

Albemarle to Host Climate Resilience Planning Event

Posted on by Rob McGinnis

Join Albemarle County for a discussion of the main conclusions of the Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment report, published in June 2022, and an overview of the next steps in building resilience as a community and local government. 

The event will begin with an overview of the report’s key takeaways, followed by a panel discussion by local experts to help make sense of these themes within the daily lives of community members. It will close with an outline of next steps in preparing for resilience, including our community engagement process to help develop a climate adaptation resilience plan.

Week Ahead for September 19, 2022: Charlottesville Council to decide on permit for 119-units on JPA; Albemarle Supervisors to hold public hearing for rezoning of Southwood’s second phase

Posted on by Sean Tubbs

As I began to type the introductory paragraph for this week, I noticed this installment is already clocking in at over 4,000 words. With that in mind, I will be quick by just repeating what I’ve been saying this whole time: There’s a lot going on!

New Fifeville Trail Grand Opening set for November 5

New Fifeville Trail Grand Opening set for November 5

Posted on by Peter Krebs

On Saturday, Oct. 1, community leaders and residents of Charlottesville will celebrate the formal opening of the new Fifeville Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m., followed by a Community Block Party from 12 – 4 p.m. The ribbon cutting will be at Tonsler Park, 500 Cherry Avenue; the block party will be at the Shops at Cherry Avenue, 814-830 Cherry Avenue.

What’s at Risk from Climate Change Locally – An Albemarle StoryMap

What’s at Risk from Climate Change Locally – An Albemarle StoryMap

Posted on by Bri West

We are already feeling the effects of climate change in Albemarle County and the local impacts are expected to intensify in the coming years. View this online StoryMap to take a closer look at the findings of the Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for Albemarle County released in 2022.

PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30

PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30

Posted on by PEC

Now through September 30, professional and amateur photographers alike are invited to submit their best images of the beautiful Virginia Piedmont in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 11th Annual Photo Contest. All image submissions must be taken within Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.

“PW Digital Gateway” Public Hearing on Sept. 14

“PW Digital Gateway” Public Hearing on Sept. 14

Posted on by Julie Bolthouse

The countdown toward one of the most important decisions for the future of Prince William County, and the region as a whole, has begun. The Prince William County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the Digital Gateway Comprehensive Plan Amendment this coming Wednesday, Sept. 14.