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.

An 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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The Wilderness Crossing Proposal Explained: StoryMap

The Wilderness Crossing Proposal Explained: StoryMap

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The massive 2,602-acre rezoning would be the largest in county history, if approved. Read more>> ...
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Massive Rezoning Proposed in Orange County

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Orange County is considering an enormous, 2,602-acre development and rezoning proposal, called Wilderness Crossing, which would be the largest land rezoning in the county’s history ...
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virginia capitol in richmond

Conservation Outcomes from a Speedy Special Session

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Well, that was fast! Less than two weeks after gaveling in on Monday, Aug. 2, the Virginia General Assembly concluded its special session on Tuesday, Aug. 10 ...
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Freshly butchered steaks on a metal table.

New skilled meat cutter training program will help region’s meat processors serve Virginia cattle farmers

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A recent study by The Piedmont Environmental Council and American Farmland Trust, spurred by pandemic-related breakdowns in national and local food supply systems, has led to the development of a new meat-cutter training program to be offered by the Rappahannock ...
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