Press Release: Volunteers wanted to help plant trees in Flint Hill, Lovettsville, and “Little” Washington

Posted on by Cindy Sabato

Streamside plantings help protect water quality in Potomac and Rappahannock river watersheds

Media Contact: Ellie Young, Plantings for the Piedmont Assistant
[email protected]; 540-347-2334 x. 7077

Two male volunteers smiling at camera while planting trees on a hillside.
Volunteers help plant trees at Rappahannock County Park. Photo credit: Hugh Kenny | PEC

Warrenton, Va. (Sept. 29, 2025) –  The Piedmont Environmental Council is calling on community volunteers who love to get their hands dirty to join in any of three upcoming volunteer tree planting projects in October and November. “These are fun, outdoor events that give volunteers a chance to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty planting more than 700 native trees on three properties — one in Loudoun County and two in Rappahannock County — as part of PEC’s Plantings for the Piedmont initiative,” said Ellie Young, PEC’s Plantings for the Piedmont assistant. “The native riparian buffers we’re building together protect not only their directly adjacent streams and waterways, but also drinking water supplies and countless miles of downstream ecosystems,” she said.

On Oct. 10, at Chancellors Rock Farm in Flint Hill, Rappahannock County, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., up to 60 volunteers are needed to plant about 275 native trees to enhance the riparian buffers growing between pastureland and tributaries to the Rappahannock River. Morning and afternoon shifts are available. Learn more and sign up at: pecva.org/event/tree-planting-at-chancellors-rock-farm/

October 28, at EcoVillage of Loudoun County in Lovettsville, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., nearly 60 volunteers are needed to plant about 220 native trees and shrubs to enhance the “common land” stewarded by this rural community just a few miles from the Potomac River. Learn more and sign up at: pecva.org/event/tree-planting-at-the-ecovillage-of-loudoun-county/

November 14, at the Rappahannock County Park in “Little” Washington, from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., up to 30 volunteers are needed to plant approximately 150 native trees and shrubs along the Rush River, a tributary of the Rappahannock River watershed. Learn more and sign up at: pecva.org/event/tree-planting-at-rappahannock-county-park/

Volunteer activities include “scalping” grass with a hoe to remove grass, digging shallow holes, planting tree saplings, and hammering wooden stakes. Afternoon shift volunteers might also water newly planted trees and do quality control checks of planted areas. Plantings take place rain or shine, except in the case of dangerous weather. PEC provides all necessary tools for planting, extra water, and snacks.

Plantings for the Piedmont projects are made possible by a partnership and collaboration with Friends of the Rappahannock, James River Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, state and federal natural resource professionals, PEC donors, and volunteers who come together to facilitate the success of these projects.  

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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.