MEDIA CONTACT: Hugh Kenny, Multimedia Communications Specialist, [email protected]; 540-347-2334, x7024

WARRENTON, VA. (Nov 1, 2025) – Finalists in The Piedmont Environmental Council’s 15th Annual Photo Contest have been selected and community members are now invited to view the images and vote for their favorites through Sunday, Nov. 16. To view the images and vote, visit pecva.org/photovote. 

From among more than 700 entries, PEC staff and local professional photographers chose five finalists in each of four categories: Beautiful Landscapes and Streetscapes, Native Plants and Fungi, Wonderful Wildlife, and Youth. All finalists receive a one-year PEC membership and have their work featured in PEC’s upcoming online and/or print publications.

Chosen by community vote, the winners in each adult category will receive a $100 gift certificate to a nearby restaurant participating in PEC’s “Buy Fresh Buy Local” program. The Youth Category winner will receive their choice of a $100 gift card to a “Buy Fresh Buy Local” restaurant or a prepaid Visa card. 

“The submissions to this year’s photo contest were absolutely amazing. These images help us tell important stories and connect people with this beautiful place in new and exciting ways. Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo,” said Hugh Kenny, PEC’s multimedia communications specialist and contest coordinator.

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2024 Photo Winners:

• Beautiful Landscapes: Luke Christopher, of Little Washington in Rappahannock, for “Looking down from Red Oak Mountain.” Caption: “Looking down from Red Oak Mt. on Shiloh church.”
• Wonderful Wildlife: Dorothy Kray of The Plains in Fauquier County, for “Fool Me Once.” Caption: “We all have that one sibling!
• Native Plants and Fungi: Jim Emery of Ashburn in Loudoun County, for “Snow-Capped Oyster Mushrooms.” Caption: “Snow-capped oyster mushrooms growing on a tree after moderate snowfall in Ashburn.”
• Youth Category: Alden Peterson of The Plains in Fauquier County, for “Rainy Nasturtium.” Caption: “Rainy Nasturtium at Chancellor’s Rock Farm Garden, Rappahannock County, Va”

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.