A flash of blue soared over my car windshield. What kind of bird creates a vivid cerulean streak? Was that an Eastern bluebird? Or was it an indigo bunting, the eponymous bird I later heard chattering in the treetops?
Wildlife Habitat
How to be a friend to birds this season
As Virginia loses open spaces to conversion, many species of birds struggle to find a safe place to raise their young. Luckily, you can support native bird species in your own backyard.
Evening Bat Walk at the Piedmont Memorial Overlook
Join The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) and Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) for an evening exploring the bat diversity of Northern Virginia’s Piedmont region.
Shenandoah Borderlands project protects 5,000 acres for clean water, habitat, scenic viewshed
Shenandoah National Park is one of Virginia’s most beloved and visited outdoor spaces, attracting 1.7 million visitors in 2025. It’s also a global conservation priority for biodiversity protection and climate resiliency. For these reasons, The Piedmont Environmental Council has been strategically identifying and conserving privately-owned lands running along the park’s eastern edge with a project called the Shenandoah Borderlands Conservation Initiative.
Meet the Team: Conservation
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.
General Assembly Update — Spring 2026
Every day, Piedmont Environmental Council staff engage at the local, state and federal levels to shape public policy with an eye toward protecting and restoring the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont while building strong, more sustainable communities. The Virginia General Assembly serves as the main stage for these efforts.
Invasive Species: Identification and Management
Whether you own a large lot with hundreds of acres or just a small suburban yard, there are steps you can take to reduce the presence of invasives on your property.
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.
Conservation Benefits Everyone
The car in front of me swerved to miss something in the road. I slowed, watching a small creature make its slow, plodding way across the asphalt. As I got closer, I realized it was a tiny baby opossum. Three other babies had already been struck in the road, with no mother in sight.
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.