The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is working with the Fifeville Neighborhood Association (FNA) and the Rivanna Trails Foundation (RTF), the City of Charlottesville and many other community organizations to connect Greenstone on Fifth (an income-qualified housing development) to Tonsler Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
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!
Briefing Paper: Resources for Climate Action Planning in Albemarle County
This climate action planning brief was prepared for The Piedmont Environmental Council Albemarle County board and represents insights provided by a variety of resource specialists. The goal of the paper is to provide context for climate change in Albemarle County, as well as to establish a common vocabulary and highlight specific strategic areas, such as forest and farms, with potential to inspire successful adaptation strategies.
Take Action: Dominion Energy requesting a significant profit increase
PEC joins with our partner organizations across the state in opposition to Dominion Energy’s request to increase their guaranteed profit from 9.2% to 10.8%.
Mapping Historic African American Land Ownership
As part of PEC’s mission to protect historic resources, we have been working on the ground with communities throughout our nine-county region to document historic parcels from the 1800s through today, including those relevant to African American land ownership.
Moving the Needle
Read about the next generation making a difference in key PEC programs.
Summer at PEC’s Community Farm
Our Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows ushered in its third growing season this spring and welcomed hundreds of volunteers through its gates. As we all continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Community Farm has served as an inspiring gathering place for community members to enjoy nature, give back and socialize with neighbors (in a safe manner!).
PEC Study Seeks to Aid Local Meat Processors and Farmers
Aided by Virginia’s northern Piedmont climate, pasture conditions, and open space, raising beef cattle has become one of the region’s dominant agricultural land uses. Cattle farming contributes enormously to the local economy, quality of life and vitality of all the region’s communities, and the growing retail market for beef may even represent one of the best models for sustaining the success of the area’s small farms. Over the past year, that market has been simultaneously enhanced and challenged by pandemic-related supply problems.
Video: Fish Surveys with Virginia DWR
PEC teamed up with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to monitor the health of aquatic communities at two of our habitat restoration sights in Rappahannock County: Bolton Branch and Piney River!
Virginia Survey Shows Support for Conservation
Over three-quarters of Virginias support investing $300 million annually to protect Virginia’s natural resources
AT&T Tower Proposal Threatens Scenic Ridgeline and Violates County Code
At 6 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 14, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on a proposed AT&T monopole tower to be built on the ridgeline of Short Hill Mountain in northwestern Loudoun. The 125-foot monopole would be located at an existing AT&T communications facility in an agricultural zoning district.