Publications

The Piedmont Environmental Council produces a number of publications — follow the links below to view PDFs of our newsletters, annual reports, Buy Fresh Buy Local guides and more. 

A Thank You and Best Wishes

A Thank You and Best Wishes

Posted on by PEC

…As Doug plans for his retirement in July, I reflect on what an honor it has been to work with him through the years. We all know Doug as hard-working, passionate, funny and fearless. We also know him as the man who wears the best crazy socks.

He has been my boss for the majority of his time at PEC, but most importantly, he has been my friend. He never asked staff to do anything that he wouldn’t do, always standing and working beside us to see an event or project through to the end. He always encouraged us to grow our interest and ideas into projects that may align with PEC’s mission, while igniting our excitement that we too are helping make a difference…

Remembering Bill Backer

Remembering Bill Backer

Posted on by Paula Combs

A brilliant communicator, Mr. Backer created iconic advertising campaigns such as the 1971 “Hilltop” commercial for Coca Cola featuring his jingle “I’d like to Teach the World to Sing,” “Tastes Great, Less Filling” and “MillerTime” for Miller Lite, and “Soup is good food” for Campbell.

Mr. Backer’s long engagement with PEC took on national stature during a 1993-1994 debate over the Disney’s America development proposal near Haymarket, Virginia. He encouraged PEC to focus its message on the viability of alternative locations for a theme park in the Washington metropolitan area that would have less impact on the region’s traffic, air quality, and history, and avoid the sprawling development that resulted from other Disney projects.

On the Ground Summer 2016

On the Ground Summer 2016

Posted on by PEC

Find out some of the ‘On the Ground’ highlights from around PEC’s region.

  • Albemarle: Key Parkland Purchase, Historic Bridge at Risk
  • Clarke: River and Roots Festival
  • Culpeper: Working with Partners to Create a New Park
  • Fauquier: Help Shape the Future of Fauquier
  • Greene: Landowners Learn About Land Conservation and Land Management
  • Loudoun: Planning Underway for Loudoun’s Future
  • Madison: Helping Native Brook Trout Habitat
  • Orange: Gordonsville Renaissance
  • Rappahannock: Working with Shenandoah National Park
Grazing Along

Grazing Along

Posted on by Paula Combs

A large herd of fluffy, yet still intimidating, sheep run full speed through a gate as they’re rotated to an alternate pasture at Over Jordan Farm in Flint Hill, Va.

“I don’t use herding dogs. The animals are trained to come to me and follow me,” says farm manager and Bean Hollow Grassfed owner Mike Sands, who has over 30 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and community-based economic development…..

Bringing Landowners and Farmland Seekers Together

Posted on by Paula Combs

Increasing the local food supply and expanding opportunities for next-generation farmers in the Piedmont depends on improving access to affordable farmland. Many Piedmont landowners are interested in expanding the agricultural use of their land, and many farmers are eager to partner with landowners through farmland leases. However, both landowners and farmland seekers say that it often proves very difficult to make these matches in Virginia.