Wildlife Habitat

Whether you live in urban, suburban or rural areas, you can make a positive impact on native plants and wildlife. Help us boost biodiversity, productivity and environmental quality across the Piedmont.

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Return of the Cicadas

A Season Full of Activity

I hope you’re enjoying the delightfully cool spring. Personally, I’ll take all the cool weather I can get before the dog days of summer hit. Any cicadas in your neck of the woods? We'll see …
Deer tick

Lyme Disease

In a departure from my normal column on creating habitat, here is some knowledge on ticks ecology and preventative measures from the perspective of an ecologist who spends a lot of time outside. With a …
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Building a Home for Wildlife: Houses, Nests, & More

Just like humans, wildlife species have four primary needs to survive: food, water, shelter and space. These four components form the basis of wildlife habitat, and each species fulfills these needs differently. Yet, for all …
Presentations from the November 2012 Invasive Plant Symposium

Presentations from the November 2012 Invasive Plant Symposium

Our November 2012 Invasive Plant Symposium was a great success! Over 140 people attended this event in Middleburg, co-sponsored by PEC, Sacharuna Foundation, Virginia Working Landscapes, and United Plants Savers …
Invasive Plants: Why Bother?

Invasive Plants: Why Bother?

When I work with landowners on how they can better manage their properties for wildlife habitat, many common questions concern invasive plants. These questions include: “What is that weird, abundant vine/shrub/tree/pond muck? And how do …
Healthy, Safer Families, and Communities

Healthy, Safer Families, and Communities

Arsenic and rocket fuel in our water. Gender-altering hormones and medications in our rivers and streams. PCBs, dioxins and pesticides in breast milk. Lead in children’s toys and women’s lipstick. Hazardous ingredients in air fresheners, …
| | Clean Water, Greening Your HOA
What is the Connection Between My Home and My Drinking Water?

What is the Connection Between My Home and My Drinking Water?

Although your property may not have a stream or pond on it, all land is a part of a watershed and has some effect on the condition of waterways. Land and water are intricately connected …
Cedar Waxwing eating mulberries

How Plants Fly

As my mother and I pulled up at the Jones Nature Preserve in Rappahannock, a brilliant bird dipped through the air—a rich tropical blue on delicate wings. They came in this week, Bruce Jones told …
Better Habitat: Water, Woods and Beyond

Better Habitat: Water, Woods and Beyond

Learn about Wildlife Habitat in the Virginia Piedmont — what it is, why we care, what a landowner can do to improve it. The following PowerPoint presentations were given to members of the Orange County …
Spotted salamander

The History & Habitat of Amphibians

PEC's Sustainable Habitat Program Manager, James Barnes, wrote this article about our region's amphibians for the Spring 2012 issue of The Piedmont Virginian …