Orange County

PEC’s Orange County office supports our land use and land conservation activities in the county. PEC is dedicated to promoting healthy communities and the preservation of Orange’s rural character, environment and historic resources.

a map that show the Wilderness Crossing site in red, with at least seven former mine sites denote with pick axe symbols

Shocking news about historic gold mining contamination

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Last fall, PEC learned some important new information related to the gold mining legacy at the proposed site of the Wilderness Crossing residential development: of the five formally-named gold mines located on the property, none have been closed and cleaned ...
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two young people sitting on rocks looking at a valley of blue mountains during the summertime

Planning for the Future

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We have accomplished a lot together over the 50 years of PEC’s history. With 2022 on the horizon, we have begun work on an updated strategic plan to guide our efforts in the coming years. What will the Piedmont look ...
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aerial image of forested land next to a major road

Wilderness Crossing: New Residential Development or Potential Superfund Site?

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In November 2021, PEC learned that of the five formally-named gold mine sites located on the proposed Wilderness Crossing residential development, none of them have been closed and cleaned up - a process called “reclamation.” ...
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an aerial image of snowy mountains and fields in Rappahannock County

A Few Highlights From 2021

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Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and a global economic slowdown, 2021 proved to be a year of new opportunity here at The Piedmont Environmental Council ...
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aerial view of an open-face dirt hills of an open pit gold mining, with green/brown tinted retention ponds and construction vehicles.

Metal mining in Virginia risks public and environmental health

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Gold mining historically occurred throughout Virginia in the gold-pyrite belt, including substantial operations across the PEC region in Orange, Culpeper and Fauquier counties. Now, half a century since metals were last mined commercially, the threat has resurfaced ...
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Your Support is Doubled for Giving Tuesday

Your Support is Doubled for Giving Tuesday

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Giving Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to giving back to organizations and causes you care about. Today on November 30, your donation will go twice as far thanks to the generosity of a longtime supporter who is offering a ...
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photo contest finalists 2021

2021 Photo Contest

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we need your help to select the winners! Voting is easy — first, check out all the photos in the slideshow! Then, use the form to select your favorite finalist from each of our categories: Beautiful Landscapes, Native Plants and ...
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three images: aerial of farmland and river, an old white church, and old big grey house with white pillars

Learn About the Proposed Rapidan River – Clark Mountain Rural Historic District

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On Thursday, Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m., PEC hosted a virtual community meeting to learn about the proposed Rapidan River – Clark Mountain Rural Historic District and our work to get it listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the ...
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On the Ground Updates – September 2021

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A series of short updates from around the PEC region - Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock ...
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aerial photo of orange county where wilderness crossing is proposed

The Trouble with Wilderness Crossing

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When it comes to policies and decisions that impact communities and quality of life for their residents, the most important voices are those of community residents themselves. And since 1972, The Piedmont Environmental Council has worked hard to be your ...
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