Press Center

Please address general press inquiries to Cindy Sabato at csabato@pecva.org or 540-347-2334 x7021 — or to the point of contact listed in a specific press release. You can also get in touch with PEC on Twitter (@piedmontenviron).

a group of neighbors walk up a sloped, forested trail

New Fifeville Trail Grand Opening set for November 5

On Saturday, Oct. 1, community leaders and residents of Charlottesville will celebrate the formal opening of the new Fifeville Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m., followed by a Community Block Party from 12 …
View of a snowy landscape at sunrise from Shenandoah National Park

PEC Accepting Annual Photo Contest Submissions Through Sept. 30

Now through September 30, professional and amateur photographers alike are invited to submit their best images of the beautiful Virginia Piedmont in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 11th Annual Photo Contest. All image submissions must be …
aerial image of a highway with power line towers running alongside

Three local groups unite against proposed Amazon data center and associated transmission line

The local citizen group Protect Fauquier and nonprofit organizations Citizens For Fauquier County (CFFC) and The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) are united against Amazon’s proposed data center project near Blackwell Road. The data center would …
PEC to hold Family Day at the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows, June 18

PEC to hold Family Day at the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows, June 18

On June 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Piedmont Environmental Council invites community members to a free, fun-filled Family Day at PEC’s Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows, located at 39990 Howswers Branch Drive …
black and white historic image of a mother and three children in front of a house

Madison County plans May 15 event to announce and present newly digitized Madison County land condemnation records related to creation of Shenandoah National Park

In partnership with James Madison University, and with funding from the Madison County Historical Society, The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) has completed the digitization of thousands of legal documents related to the Commonwealth’s 1930s-era condemnation …
terry-tempest-williams

Renowned author and environmentalist Terry Tempest Williams to speak at Piedmont Environmental Council 50th anniversary celebration, May 21

On Saturday, May 21, at 2:45 p.m., internationally renowned author, environmentalist and activist Terry Tempest Williams will share her perspective on conservation, restoration and generational change in her keynote address, “The Open Space of Democracy,” …
| | Press Center
image of ground solar system on a farm with white and yellow text overlayed that says "The campaign is LIVE. Sign up at SolarizeVa.org"

Now through June 30, Solarize Piedmont 2022 simplifies process of going solar

Just ahead of Earth Day on April 22, the Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce its Solarize Piedmont 2022 campaign, in partnership with the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) and participating municipalities …
A group of eight people from numerous organizations and government agencies stand together. Two people in the center hold a framed medal award.

Rappahannock River Water Trail Wins Governor’s Environmental Excellence Gold Medal Award

The award honored a multi-partner project resulted in the opening of two new public access points and three new non-motorized boat launches along the Rappahannock—a Virginia State Scenic River …
| | Press Center, Rappahannock County
a patch of green and purple bluebells

Bluebell Walk on Cedar Run is about much more than bluebells

This Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., Mike and Margrete Stevens, the owners of Bonny Brook Farm in Catlett, will once again host The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Julian W. Scheer Fauquier Land …
portrait image of Nora

Nora Seilheimer joins The Piedmont Environmental Council as Director of Advancement

Piedmont Environmental Council President Chris Miller is pleased to announce the appointment of Nora Seilheimer to the role of director of advancement …
| | Press Center