At the heart of The Piedmont Environmental Council’s efforts to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont is our dedicated conservation team. You’ve likely met some of our conservation staff somewhere in your community (whether you knew it or not!), but few people know the tremendous work they do behind the scenes.
VGBI
Turkey Run Community Conservation Meeting
Join the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative for a presentation about how to make and maintain wildlife habitat across multiple properties, and discussion about collaboration with neighbors.
Virginia Bluebird Society’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Program
The Virginia Bluebird Society will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, Nov. 1 in person in at The Center at Belvedere in Charlotteville and via Zoom.
American Kestrel Ecology
June 13, 2025 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us to learn about conservation efforts to provide nesting habitat for American Kestrels across the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley.
October Greenfield, Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for The Piedmont Environmental Council, will present on American Kestrel ecology and conservation challenges, followed by a field walk to learn about monitoring nest boxes.
What to expect: A lecture-style talk in the library, followed by a walk to kestrel monitoring nest boxes.
Who can come: This program is designed for adults, but children accompanied by adults are welcome.
What to bring: Please be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for longer grass and uneven terrain (sunscreen and bug spray recommended).
Where to meet: Meet in the library (located in the Quarters building)
Tickets are available for purchase at the link below. Event organized by the Foundation of the State Arboretum.
Northern Albemarle Conservation Speed Dating Workshop
Join us April 23 in Crozet, Va. to meet with people who can help facilitate your land management practice and conservation goals.
American Kestrels: Nest Box Monitoring and Banding
February 13, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The Potomac Valley Audubon Society welcomes October Greenfield, Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for The Piedmont Environmental Council and Co-coordinator of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative!
This program is free and open to the public, in person and virtually.
SCHEDULE
- 6:30 PM: Social time with light refreshments. In order to reduce waste, we are asking that people bring their own mugs.
- 7:00 PM: Presentation begins!
- 8:00 PM: Approximate end of the program – though it may last longer depending on questions and discussion!
We will also be offering this program virtually! Here is the Zoom link so you can join in from home. If you are not able to attend live, in-person or virtually, you can view a recording of the Monthly Program presentation later! We typically post the recording within several days.
Presentation Description –
Join us learn about conservation efforts to provide nesting habitat for American Kestrels across the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley. October Greenfield, Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for The Piedmont Environmental Council and Co-coordinator of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, will present on American Kestrel ecology and conservation challenges, including how installing nest boxes can benefit American Kestrels and how bird banding helps us learn more about their movements and survival.
About the Presenter: October Greenfield is the Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for The Piedmont Environmental Council and Co-coordinator of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative. Her work includes a diverse portfolio of wildlife habitat restoration projects, leading community-based conservation efforts, and promoting landowner engagement around habitat management. She has worked with raptors for a decade and is a licensed raptor bander. In 2018, October served as one of PVAS’s AmeriCorps Environmental Educators!