Historic & Scenic Landscapes

Virginia’s Piedmont is a unique place for residents and visitors alike, with its exceptional natural resources, productive farms and forests, and a landscape steeped in history.

Davis St in Culpeper with cars and old buildings.

Creating Historic Districts

For more than 40 years, PEC has worked to create historic districts across its nine-county service area in an effort …
Celebrating Mountain Heritage

Celebrating Mountain Heritage

The Piedmont Environmental Council honors the history and heritage of the many hundreds of families that once called the Blue …
An aerial overview outlining the Aldie Assemblage near the Aldie Volunteer Fire Department, Aldie Mill, and across from Our Redeemer Episcopal Church.

The Next Chapter for Aldie Assemblage

The Piedmont Environmental Council this summer became the proud new owner of six acres in the Village of Aldie, known as the Aldie Assemblage …
Wilderness Battlefield Area, Threats and the Data Center Industry

Wilderness Battlefield Area, Threats and the Data Center Industry

Wilderness Battlefield’s inclusion on this list underscores the inextricable link between natural, historic and cultural resources …
sunrise over fog and grassy field, surrounded by trees

Imperiled by Development, Wilderness Battlefield Named One of Nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Wilderness Battlefield, site of a pivotal clash that marked a turning point in the Civil War, was named one of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places due to the threat of a massive data …
Rural Landowner Manual cover, featuring a rural landscape

Rural Landowner Manual: A Resource Guide for the Northern Piedmont

The publication includes a list of experts, programs and opportunities to assist landowners, with practical advice on navigating the complexities of rural property stewardship …
a river surrounded by forest

Conserving a Cultural Crossroads

On Oct. 27, 2023, Historic Germanna’s executive director, Jennifer Hurst Wender, and board president, Keith Hoffman, signed a perpetual open-space easement on Siegen Forest …
Three Advocacy Priorities That Need Your Attention

Three Advocacy Priorities That Need Your Attention

Since the General Assembly began its 2024 session, the newly-opened General Assembly office building and the Capitol have seen frenetic activity, day in and day out. Many bills that were introduced in January have now …
Albemarle County Community Surveys 1994-2023 Report

Albemarle County Community Surveys 1994-2023 Report

The results of our analysis further underscore the priority Albemarle County residents have overwhelmingly given to policies tied to the environment, preservation and smart growth for nearly 30 years …