The ten energy efficiency improvements outlined on our website make sense for more than just homeowners.
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!
Dial it Back a Notch
Your appliances are wonderful modern conveniences — however for the average Virginia household there are significant energy costs. You can save 10% or more on these costs through two easy steps, without any appreciable effect on your day-to-day lifestyle or comfort.
Go With the (Air) Flow
Periodically replacing your air filter will significantly improve your heating and cooling system’s performance. When the filter is dirty, the fan uses more energy to force the air through. When the filter gets too clogged, the whole system can shut down –triggering the need for professional services that could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Defeat Drafts
The outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors and floor make up the “thermal envelope” of your house. Any gaps or holes in this envelope allow the conditioned or heated air inside your house to escape. When you add up all the small gaps, holes, cracks, and leaks, it’s often the equivalent of leaving a couple of windows wide open– all the time.
Undocumented Cemeteries & Burial Grounds
A severe lack of documentation contributes greatly to the loss of cemeteries and the stories they represent. We need your help!
Help Improve Neighborhood Connectivity in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville to reach its potential as a truly world-class city, residents must be able to move about easily, safely and affordably. Much needs to be done to reach that (appropriately) high standard, yet we can’t do everything all at once. So where should advocates, planners and officials focus their efforts?
A Sanctuary, A Pollinator Garden
“This native plant garden provides important food and shelter for pollinators, birds and other wildlife,” reads a sign introducing a small but impactful plot of brightly colored flowers.
The Aviary
My home office is in a barn, which means I get to interact daily with the resident barn swallows, Hirundo rustica. Their Latin name means “from the country,” an emblematic moniker that I wish I could stick on the end of my name or title somehow… Swooping, diving, and catching their food in mid-air, they are a wonderful distraction for me to engage in.
Video: Orvis Giveback Days for Bolton Branch
In May, The Piedmont Environmental Council teamed up with Orvis to raise money to restore two miles of brook trout stream habitat on Bolton Branch in Rappahannock County.
PEC Quarterly Keynote: Conservation and Collaboration
Together with the Shenandoah National Park Trust and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Virginia Working Landscapes, the Piedmont Environmental Council presented its 2nd virtual Quarterly Keynote on Thursday, June 24 at 6:30 pm.