On Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 5-7 p.m., community members are invited to a free Conservation Funding Workshop and Social to learn about funding and technical assistance available to them for land management and conservation options.
Press Center
Please address general press inquiries to Cindy Sabato at [email protected] 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.
Piedmont Environmental Council Applauds Court Victory in Lawsuit to Protect Wilderness Battlefield
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) celebrates court rejection of attempts to dismiss a lawsuit against the Wilderness Crossing rezoning proposal in Orange County.
Why Should Virginians Pay Big Tech’s Electric Bills?
The 2025 Biennial Review of Dominion Energy currently underway is the most important rate case in decades.
Enter PEC’s annual Virginia Piedmont photo contest now through Sept. 30
alling all professional and amateur photographers. Now through September 30, you’re invited to submit your best images of the beautiful Virginia Piedmont for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 16th Annual Photo Contest.
Loop de ‘Ville Trail Fest – Registration is OPEN!

Loop de ‘Ville Trail Fest – Registration is OPEN!
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Registration is now open for Loop de ‘Ville (LDV) Trail Fest on September 27 and t-shirts are available for pre-order. Learn more about this celebration of the outdoors and register now at loopdeville.org.
There are several ways to participate, including several new options highlighted:
- Run, hike or bike the Loop with a guided group (20 miles, all paces).
- New: Run the Half-Loop from Fontaine Research Park to Rivanna River Company. Runners will be shuttled from the Rivanna River Company to Fontaine Research Park to begin their run from there.
- New: Hike the Half-Loop from Fontaine Research Park to Rivanna River Company. Hikers will be shuttled from the Rivanna River Company to Fontaine Research Park to begin their hike from there.
- New: Walk the Mini Loop, a three-mile inclusive walk/roll that will be suitable for all people of all abilities, led by the Piedmont Environmental Council. It will follow the Rivanna River and highlight trail and stewardship projects along the urban Rivanna River corridor.
- Celebrate the trails at the Finish Line Party at Rivanna River Company — FREE and open to the public. DJ Double U will be spinning all day so the Finish Line Party is lively for all finishers. There will be food trucks, beer and cider available for purchase. Alcohol and merch sales will directly benefit the Rivanna Trails Foundation.
- Volunteer — RTF needs folks to help with registration/check-in, the many Cheer Zones, parking, raffle ticket sales, leading/sweeping hiking groups, and more. Volunteer sign-up is open!
- Sponsor / Donate — Help RTF put on an amazing, safe and enjoyable event for everyone!
History of Loop de ‘Ville:
More than 20 years ago, RTF members decided to lead a guided hike on the ~20-mile loop of the Rivanna Trail – now known as the Loop – that encircles Charlottesville. It soon became an annual tradition and has continued for decades. Previously open only to members of the RTF, the event eventually opened to the public and has since turned into a festival to celebrate the trail, connect the community and introduce newcomers to this incredible resource in our backyards. Local organizations work year-round to support the trail system in Charlottesville and Albemarle County and this event is a great opportunity to showcase those efforts and the benefits they provide to the community.
RTF’s goal is to put on a fun event and remove barriers so community members can join LDV in a way that is welcoming and safe. If that means just spending time at the Rivanna River Company in community with others (starting at 12 p.m.), that’s great! We’ve also added several new options to enjoy the trail for different lengths, speeds and abilities this year. We’d be happy to share what LDV is all about. This is a ‘made by the community for the community’ event so, we are counting on you to help make this the best Loop de ‘Ville Fest yet!
Please note that t-shirts are only available for pre-order on the event’s Movemint page. Sign up for LDV-specific emails to be kept up to date.
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Media Contact: Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, [email protected]
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.
Piedmont Environmental Council Launches Virginians for a Smarter Digital Future
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) announced the launch of “Virginians for a Smarter Digital Future,” a statewide campaign designed to raise awareness of the impacts of data centers for all Virginia residents — and provide the tools they need to advocate for themselves, as well as their families, businesses and communities.
State Corporation Commission Must Set Fair Rates and Protect Virginia Residents from Subsidizing Data Center Infrastructure
The Piedmont Environmental Council submitted expert witness testimony to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) regarding the commission’s biennial review of Dominion Energy’s rates for generation, transmission, and distribution services.
Dominion’s Plan to Meet Data Center Demand is Unrealistic and Environmentally Unsustainable
Based on the direct testimony and cross examination of witnesses in the Dominion 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) case, The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) filed a brief with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) requesting the Commission to require new modeling to support the development of a more realistic rate structure for the data center buildout.
Transmission Line Mega Project Approval Process Accelerated Without Complete Review and Mitigation of Serious Impacts
This month, Dominion is holding three community meetings on the Morrisville-Wishing Star 500kV and 230kV electric transmission lines through Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties.
Piedmont Environmental Council Launches 2025-2026 Buy Fresh Buy Local Guides
With spring in full bloom across the Virginia Piedmont, The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2026 Buy Fresh Buy Local guide, a bi-annual handbook that helps to connect residents throughout the region to fresh local food directly from farmers, farmers markets, and food businesses in their communities.
