You know that feeling when you’re putting together a puzzle and there’s that “Aha!” moment, when filling in one missing piece brings everything together? Hilton Farm in Orange County is an example of this phenomenon playing out in conservation form.
Our Work
Safeguarding the landscapes, communities and heritage of the Piedmont by involving citizens in public policy and land conservation. Learn more about our work by browsing the subject areas below and find out how to get involved!
15,000 Reasons to Celebrate: Plantings, Partnerships and Protecting Water
After compiling the data for 2025’s spring and fall plantings, I sat staring at my screen. Could that be right? Did we actually plant 15,000 trees last year?
Meet the Team: Conservation
At the heart of The Piedmont Environmental Council’s efforts to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont is our dedicated conservation team. You’ve likely met some of our conservation staff somewhere in your community (whether you knew it or not!), but few people know the tremendous work they do behind the scenes.
Who’s Protecting the Piedmont? – Spring 2026
Here, we highlight three people who are protecting the Piedmont by growing local food, stewarding conservation easements and donating to make PEC’s work possible.
Photos + Event Recap: A Beautiful Day for the Bluebells
On Sunday, Margrete led participants, aged 5 to 90, on a short hike to the banks of Cedar Run to enjoy the stunning bluebells and learn about native plants, habitat restoration, and efforts that protect the cold, clean water of Cedar Run.
Tell Culpeper Officials to Hold Their Ground: No Bending the Rules for Reckless Development
The Town of Culpeper is once again trying to fast-track data centers with a new code amendment, and the Maroon Solar utility-scale solar project is headed to a Board of Supervisors vote on April 7.
Spring Orange County Updates
The Piedmont Environmental Council’s updates on the Valley Link transmission line, the Town of Orange’s data center changes, data center lawsuit updates, and an April 10 conservation event. Get updates at pecva.org/signup.
Join Us for a Q&A on Our New Vantage Data Center Air Quality Study
I’m writing to share a data center air quality study we recently commissioned that showed some alarming results, and to invite you to an event in Loudoun on Thursday, April 9 to learn more about the study findings and how they impact you, and what you can do.
PEC statement on Prince William Digital Gateway latest legal win
The recent ruling by the Virginia Court of Appeals against the Prince William Digital Gateway, in favor of the citizen-backed lawsuits attempting to block it, is another example of the growing grassroots power of Virginians pushing back against uncontrolled data center development.
Spring Tree Planting Volunteer Opportunities
As spring peepers herald in a new season of tree plantings, we invite you to join in the work of conservation.