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.
Press Center
Please address general press inquiries to Cindy Sabato at csabato@pecva.org or 540-347-2334 x7021 — or to the point of contact listed in a specific press release. You can also get in touch with PEC on twitter: @piedmontenviron.
Virginia Survey Shows Support for Conservation
Over three-quarters of Virginias support investing $300 million annually to protect Virginia’s natural resources. Read more>>
PEC’s Piedmont Mobility Alliance recognizes retired Albemarle Greenways Coordinator Dan Mahon
On Friday, Aug. 27, The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Piedmont Mobility Alliance recognized recently-retired Albemarle County Greenways Coordinator Dan Mahon for more than 20 years of service as a “local greenways and blueways pioneer in central Virginia.”
New Rappahannock River Kayak/Canoe Launch Now Open in Remington, Ribbon-cutting planned for Aug 14, 2021
Fauquier County’s second Rappahannock River kayak/canoe launch is now open at the Rector Tract, located at the end of River Road in Remington, giving county residents a new public access point to the state-designated scenic river. The timber-framed, concrete staircase, with a wooden slide for hand-launch of non-motorized vessels, was built over five days last week by Brad Mawyer of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Wes Hale and a crew of staff from Fauquier County Parks and Recreation, Maggi Blomstrom of The Piedmont Environmental Council, and three Fauquier County resident volunteers. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Saturday, Aug. 14 at 12 p.m.
New skilled meat cutter training program will help region’s meat processors serve Virginia cattle farmers
A recent study by The Piedmont Environmental Council and American Farmland Trust, spurred by pandemic-related breakdowns in national and local food supply systems, has led to the development of a new meat-cutter training program to be offered by the Rappahannock Center for Education beginning late fall 2021. Using a national training model, the program is intended to help local meat processors expand their operations and increase their capacity to serve the region’s cattle farmers by building a larger pool of available skilled laborers in the field.
PEC to donate locally-produced milk and eggs to local food pantries throughout summer
With a $50,000 grant from Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign, and additional funding from The Musser Family Fund, Sacharuna Foundation and Culpeper Wellness Foundation, the Piedmont Environmental Council rolls out its summer milk and egg donation program this month, beginning the week of July 12.
Community-based Partnerships Take Root & Grow in Loudoun County
The Piedmont Environmental Council is proudly working with multiple community partners to support local farms and farmers, create more public access to outdoor spaces, and support the county’s food insecure population. Some of these initiatives were inspired or amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic, while others continue to advance PEC’s core mission of protecting and promoting the Piedmont’s natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty.
Solarize Piedmont 2021 campaign available in ten different localities
The Solarize Piedmont program is back through June 30 and available to homeowners and business owners in Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties, and the City of Charlottesville. Solarize Piedmont makes adding solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations to homes and businesses easier and more affordable than ever, by leveraging the collective buying power of many to provide a one-stop shop for solar education, vetted installers, and discounted pricing.
New Digital Story Map Shines A Light on Fauquier’s African American History
The Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County and The Piedmont Environmental Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new, interactive, online story map documenting the African American experience in Fauquier County. Created with funding support by The PATH Foundation, the story map will give people, perhaps for the first time in history, digital access to information about the history and contributions of Fauquier’s African American communities, schools and churches established before and after the Civil War.
Buy Fresh Buy Local Loudoun Guides Connect Consumers with Local Food and Farms
With the spring growing season upon the Virginia Piedmont, The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the release of its 2021-2022 Buy Fresh Buy Local Loudoun County guide. The Buy Fresh Buy Local guides offer a one-stop source connecting consumers to fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and more, by way of local farmers, farmers markets, CSAs, and other local food venues.