Our Common Agenda Educational Series
The Virginia Conservation Network will be hosting a week of education and content for each of the chapters within Our Common Agenda, including webinars featuring each chapter's authors. These events will highlight and explain the policy suggestions contained within each briefing book chapter while celebrating the people who have worked diligently for months to craft the 2022 Our Common Agenda policy briefing book.
Poultry Processing Education and Training Session
Poultry processing is the term used by the poultry industry to describe the conversion of live poultry into raw poultry products fit for human consumption. Attendees to this workshop will learn about the equipment necessary for poultry processing and about American Farmland Trust's low cost portable processing equipment rental program.
63rd Annual Garden Club of Virginia Conservation Forum, Birds: Feathers, Fields, Forests, and Flowers
Birds: Feathers, Fields, Forests and Flowers, the 63rd GCV Conservation Forum, offers an impressive roster of speakers who will entertain and educate attendees on the “brilliance of birds” and some of the threats that are causing their numbers to diminish. Learn how our actions can help protect birds and their habitats, now and in the future. A question and answer session will follow each presenter.
Piedmont Mobility Alliance Fall Meeting (Cville/Albemarle)
The fall meeting of the Piedmont Mobility Alliance will be an opportunity for individuals and groups to share updates and work on projects with collective benefit. This event is online.
Halloween Bike Ride
Get your costume, scare up some friends and join the Piedmont Mobility Alliance for a free, fun, relaxed and social bicycle ride through the streets of Charlottesville!
Volunteer tree planting at Sky Meadows State Park!
Join The Piedmont Environmental Council, Friends of the Rappahannock, Goose Creek Association, John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District, and Casey's Trees for a volunteer tree planting at Sky Meadows State Park on Friday, October 29 - Saturday, October 30! Volunteers will be needed in two shifts, from 9am-noon and 1-3pm, for planting 1,060 native tree tubelings (scalping, digging holes, planting, and pounding wooden stakes). This is a family friendly event, and volunteers of all ages are welcome! Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tree planting at The Clifton Institute
In the spring, The Clifton Institute planted 975 tree seedlings along the stream in our native grassland. They need your help finishing the planting with a few more trees. Please bring your own work gloves if you have them.
Fauquier Habitat for Humanity More Than Houses Breakfast
Join PEC to celebrate the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Fauquier Habitat For Humanity! Location Dominion Valley Country Club15200 Arnold Palmer DriveHaymarket, VA 20169
Rapidan River – Clark Mountain Rural Historic District Community Meeting
Join neighbors and friends to learn more about the initiative to list the Rapidan River – Clark Mountain Rural Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Staff from The Piedmont Environmental Council, along with the Fairfield Foundation and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will lead this discussion about what a rural historic district is, the nomination process and the historical significance of the area.
Butcher Training Course
Rappahannock Center for Education has a new meat cutting program designed to prepare students to work in the meat processing field at a wholesale processing facility or in a restaurant or butcher establishment. Tuition is $900 for 12 classes commencing November 6, 2021. The program was created in partnership with American Farmland Trust and The Piedmont Environmental Council.
Smarter Growth and Sauvignon: A Conversation About Industrial Development in Rural Prince William
Please join numerous conservation organizations for an in-person event at the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms, located in Prince William's beautiful Rural Crescent. Together we support a vision for Prince William County that values National Parks, farmland and forests, clean drinking water, housing diversity, and attractive, sustainable communities for everyone.
Birding Bles Park
Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on this regular bird walk at Bles Park, located along the Potomac River in eastern Loudoun.
Free Entrance Day in National Parks
Come experience the national parks! November 11, 2021 is the last fee-free day of the year. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an […]
Birding Banshee
A bird walk is a great way to start the weekend so join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, a diverse 695-acre treasure in the heart of Loudoun County.
Bike + Pedestrian Advocacy Social
Join us for a social gathering to learn more about how you can get involved with bike/pedestrian advocacy in Albemarle and Charlottesville!
From Milkweed to Meadowlarks: How Private Land Stewards can Lead the Way in Biodiversity Conservation
Join VWL’s Program Coordinator, Charlotte Lorick, as she leads a free virtual webinar on Wednesday, December 1 at 3:00 p.m. The talk will include an overview of relevant Virginia Working Landscape research findings, highlight best management practices to support wildlife and biodiversity, and discuss how we can think of our backyards and managed spaces as habitats and ecosystems, no matter the size.
Your Trail Guide to the General Assembly
Join the Virginia Conservation Network as we get a special look at what's to come in the 2022 legislative session. The General Assembly Preview includes presentations by leading Virginia experts on the environmental topics we expect will rise to the top during the 2022 General Assembly session.
Becoming Debt-Free: A Simple Secret To Your Long-Term Success In Farming And Life
If you are considering investing yourself into a new farm business, do yourself a favor and attend this class! You will learn the deep importance of not going into debt to start a farm business and how participants can use a personalized worksheet to determine if they can financially take on a beginning farm enterprise.
Project Feederwatch Giveaway with Friends of the Rappahannock and The Clifton Institute
Friends of the Rappahannock will be giving away free Project Feederwatch bird feeders at the Clifton Institute after our regular Wednesday morning bird walk! The feeders are first-come, first-serve, and the limit is one per family. A Friends of the Rappahannock instructor will give you instructions on how participate in Project Feederwatch, which is a community science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Having a bird feeder is a great way to learn about our winter birds and help contribute to science!
Discover a New Invasive Insect That May Be In a Backyard Near You!
Join Valerie Huelsman, Environmental Analyst for the Prince William County Mosquito and Forest Pest Management Branch, for an introduction to the spotted lanternfly (SLF), a recent threat to our trees (and wine and beer production).
Quarterly Keynote feat. Ebonie Alexander of the Black Family Land Trust
Join PEC for a discussion about efforts to retain and protect Black-owned farms and family lands.
Book Reading, Signing and Q&A with Katharine Hayhoe, author of Saving Us
Join us Saturday, December 18 from 1-3 p.m. EST for an in-person book signing and discussion event with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and author of Saving Us. This event is brought to you by Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery, the Blue Valley Ladies Book Club, the Open Book, and the Piedmont Environmental Council.
Charlottesville Christmas Bird Count
Participate the Charlottesville Christmas Bird Count, led by the Piedmont Bird Club.
Christmas Bird Count with The Clifton Institute
Join The Clifton Institute for our annual Christmas Bird Count! We’ll spend the day surveying the birds in our 15-mile-diameter count circle, which includes a variety of habitats. We usually see a nice diversity of waterfowl and grassland birds. There’s always a chance for Short-eared Owl and American Tree Sparrow! Participating in the Christmas Bird Count is a great way to learn about the winter birds of Virginia, contribute to a long-term community science project, and get to know other birdwatchers in the area.
Central Loudoun Christmas Bird Count
Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy as we participate in the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count.
Winter Activities for Invasive Plant Control
Join Blue Ridge PRISM a free webinar about controlling invasive plants in winter, with Q&A.
Smart Growth Protects What We Have!
Join the Prince William Conservation Alliance, The Piedmont Environmental Council and National Parks Conservation Association for a discussion on Data Centers… from the Rural Crescent to the Occoquan Reservoir.
Exploring the World of Hydroponics and Indoor Food Production (Online Demo)
Ever wondered about growing food indoors? Join Robert Anderson, USBG Exhibits and Displays Supervisor, for an introduction to the fascinating world of controlled environment agriculture.
Piedmont Mobility Alliance Winter Meeting (Charlottesville/Albemarle)
The winter meeting of the Piedmont Mobility Alliance will be an opportunity for individuals and groups to share updates and work on projects with collective benefit.
Amphibian Monitoring Training Session (Virtual)
Learn about frogs and toads, and how to monitor their habitat, in this Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy training session.
Climate Action Together: A Roundtable Discussion About Local Implications of Climate Change on Our Community’s Health, Safety, and Ecology
On January 20 at 5 p.m., join the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia for an inside look into the thinking and decision-making of leaders in key systems (ecology, social services, public health, public safety) in our community. This event is for everyone who wants to know more about how climate change will affect our community.
Planning and Planting for Winter Interest (Online Lecture)
People often think of color in the garden only in the summer, however winter is a great time to find beauty in unexpected places. Join Teresa Speight as she shares hints, tips, and suggestions for creating a garden with interest in the midst of winter. This free webinar is hosted by the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Wildflower Talk (Virtual)
Ami Mason, Virginia master naturalist and resident gardener at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, will share photographs and expertise on native wildflowers in this Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy presentation.
Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance – 2022 Winter Session – Goose Creek Watch
Join Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance on January 27 from 3:30-5 PM to learn more about Goose Creek Watch, a collaborative effort to monitor the health of an iconic water source!
Affordable Housing is Sustainable Housing
Affordable housing has long been a challenge our community faces, and housing can’t be truly affordable unless it is thoughtfully designed with sustainability principles in mind. Join UVA’s Sustainability Civic Engagement Sub-committee (CES) and the Community Climate Collaborative (C3) for a virtual event in conjunction with the UVA Community MLK Celebration. Speakers from The Piedmont Environmental Council, Cultivate Charlottesville, and LEAP will each share points of interconnection for just and equitable housing and climate solutions.
Conservation Lobby Day
Every year, Virginia Conservation Network's 150+ environmental organizations come together to ensure a strong conservation voice is heard during the legislative session.
Uprooting Racism in the Food System
Soul Fire Farm’s Uprooting Racism training is a theory and action workshop for environmental and food justice leaders to uproot systemic racism in our organizations and society.
Transit Equity Day Lunch & Learn
Join Sierra Club VA Chapter, the Coalition for Smarter Growth and the Community Climate Collaborative for a Transit Equity Day Lunch & Learn on Friday, February 4 at 12 pm.
Meet Your Forester!
Come meet your area forester during the lunch hour! This session is a virtual event during which landowners in the Blue Ridge PRISM service region can connect with their local foresters.
Valentine’s Day Weekend Showing of Documentary “2040”
Join the Goose Creek Association and Land Trust of Virginia for a virtual showing of the acclaimed documentary 2040, and show your love for Earth!
4th Annual Native Plant Symposium 2022 – Stop Mowing, Start Growing!
Join the Virginia Cooperative Extension for the 4th Annual Native Plant Symposium and learn how to build your dream landscape!
Tensions of Farm Succession
Join AgrAbility and farm business educator Joy Kirkpatrick in this free webinar to learn about the tensions around farm succession and how to navigate them.
Charlottesville/Greene County Area – Vegetable Growers Meeting
Piedmont Virginia Community College - Giuseppe Center 222 Main Street, Stanardsville, Virginia, United StatesJoin us for an annual update for Vegetable Producers of all types! Speakers include: Dr. Steve Rideout, Plant Diseases and Pathology; Dr. Tom Kuhar, Emerging Pest Issues and Insecticide Options for Virginia Vegetables; Dr. Emmanuel Torres-Quezada, New Tomato Production Ideas; Chris Mullins, Integrated Pest Management in High Tunnel Production. Plus. hear from VDACS Produce Safety Inspectors, get pesticide recertification credits, and more!
Green Design and Planning of Data Centers: The Experiences of Frankfurt, Germany and Northern Virginia
Join Northern Virginia Regional Commission, Virginia Tech and ARUP for a webinar on the eco-friendly design and architecture of data centers.
Settlement of the Piedmont
The Museum of Culpeper is hosting Dr. Eric Jones, who will speak about his research into indigenous settlements in the Piedmont region, bringing to light information about some of the Siouan groups that once inhabited a broader scope of the Virginia Piedmont.
The Genius of Birds with Jennifer Ackerman and The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Join National Sporting Library & Museum, Wildlife Center of Virginia, and Jennifer Ackerman, author of "The Genius of Birds" for a free webinar showcasing interesting bird facts and efforts to further their protection.
Equity Talks: Achieving Environmental Change through Nourishing the Planet (and Ourselves!)
As the heat of the planet rises, so too does the pressure on rising generations to find solutions to heal our environment. Such pressure gives rise to a new climate-induced crisis: our own mental health. How is climate change altering the way we relate to stress and trauma, our decisions about our future, and the increased disparities experienced by marginalized communities? Join Brit Wray, PhD for a discussion on the intersection of climate change, social justice, and mental health and how we can all contribute to the harmony of our world and our own inner peace.
Landowners’ Wood & Wildlife Conference
The Woods & Wildlife Conferences are day-long workshops that provide landowners with the information, tools, and personal contacts needed for maintaining healthy, productive woodland habitat.
Invasive Plant Species – Management and Control with Jim Hurley of Blue Ridge PRISM
Join Blue Ridge PRISM and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation for the first in a series of three workshops in 2022 to learn about the identification, impact and control of invasive plant species common to Northern Virginia.
Charlottesville/Albemarle Active Mobility Summit
Collaborate with others who share a passion to promote walking, biking, running and everyday access to nature.