2. Celebrating PEC at 40
“I’m sure there are a lot of communities where the meeting
rooms are empty, and the decisions get made without much
citizen understanding or participation. But, then, they get what
they get. There are just hundreds of things in this community
that wouldn’t have happened if PEC wasn’t there to promote
the citizen participation, to provide the information that
citizens need—to do some pushing, from time to time, of the
elected officials, to be present at all of the meetings.
With PEC, people take action.”
SALLY THOMAS , former member of the
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
“The discussions that took place during the
Exploring the Small Farm Dream course
opened my mind to the local food scene—
to the possibilities for small farmers.
At first it seemed almost impossible to make a living and be
successful at this, but during the class, it gave me hope that we
can be successful in the local food movement.” —Amir
“It’s hard being a farmer! It’s hard work! Having an organization
like PEC instantly gives us access to like-minded people who are
there to network with us, support us, point us to the resources—
giving us a sense of home and a community. The class was filled.
It was standing room only. So, we felt like, ‘OK, we’re not the only
crazy ones here. We can make this happen.’” —Diana
DIANA BOEKE AND AMIR ABDELMALEK ,
Owners of Glean Acres, LLC, and alumni of PEC’s
Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course, Madison County.
Photos by Katherine Vance
COVER: APPLE TREE IN ALBEMARLE COUNTY. Photo by David Anhold.
3. Founded in 1972
“What we try to do at nature camp is just get children outside
—get them to wake up and pay attention to what’s happening
around them. Get them to come to an understanding of how
the natural systems work, and to come to an appreciation and
a respect for our fellow earth-dwelling creatures. That is our
hope. That they will look more closely at butterflies and moths,
and learn how a honey bee hive works inside, and really take a
close look at flowers and birds.
What we’re trying to do is
get them to come to a direct
relationship with the living
things in their natural habitat.”
LYT WOOD , director of the PEC-sponsored Rappahannock Nature Camp
“In our view, the PEC has become
the single most significant regional
conservation organization over the past
25, 30 years. And we’re grateful for that.
The Piedmont Environmental Council gave Mary Lynn and me
the opportunity to participate as citizens in two great fights to
protect the landscape, and to protect its history. One of these
was the fight to keep the Disney Corporation from building a
sprawling city on the edge of the Manassas battlefield. PEC also
helped us create a 4,000 acre National Rural Historic District
here at Thoroughfare Gap.”
NICK AND MARY LYNNE KOTZ , Fauquier County residents
and founders of Protect Historic America
Piedmont Environmental Council · Annual Report · 2011
1
4. Dear Friends,
PEC got its start 40 years ago this year, when a small group restoring wildlife habitat or improving water quality. The local
of active citizens recognized that our region was poised for food movement here is one of the strongest in the nation—and
dramatic growth. They knew that with a thoughtful and it’s still growing. Reversing decades of trends, many young
proactive approach, Piedmont communities could grow people now find farming to be an appealing and viable career,
without losing the qualities that make this region truly and they are starting new farms in the Piedmont.
special—its beautiful scenery, historic landscapes, productive
All of these good things have happened thanks to people
farmland, and abundant nature. So, in 1972, they founded PEC,
who take action. Citizens help to shape local plans. They
to act on that vision.
give their input on proposed developments. Support local
Their efforts—and those of the many people who worked farmers. Donate conservation easements. Plant trees beside
with PEC over the years—have been strikingly successful. streams. Learn more about native flora and fauna. Remove
The population in our region has doubled in the last 20 invasive species. Volunteer to monitor water quality. Run
years alone, a faster rate than either the state average or the nature day camps. Plant pollinator gardens. Add insulation
national average. Our economy has grown substantially, to their houses—and later, solar panels. And so on. PEC acts
as well, creating a robust job market that remained as a resource, providing citizens with the information and
assistance they need to make a positive difference.
comparatively stable, even through hard times. Four decades
AN INTERN TENDS SEEDLINGS AT WATERPENNY FARM of intense growth might have come at a devastating cost to Now, one of our key challenges is to engage a new generation
the landscape—but, instead, most of the Piedmont region
IN RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY. Photo by Katherine Vance.
of Piedmont residents in the work—and the joy—of good
remains beautiful, open land. In some places, we do see the stewardship for this amazing place that we call home.
impacts of sprawling growth, and we are working to address
Now, one of our key the challenges, including strain on the transportation network, Because the population has grown rapidly, many current
challenges is to engage that result. But there is a great deal to celebrate. residents of the Piedmont don’t have a long personal or family
a new generation of history with this land. But the potential for them to form a
Thanks to proactive local planning efforts, most development connection is strong (after all, they chose to live here for a
Piedmont residents in has taken place in towns, cities and designated growth areas, reason). The fact that 75% of Piedmont residents today live
the work—and the joy— and historic downtowns have been revitalized throughout in urban or suburban communities challenges us to think
the region. Private land conservation efforts have been about environmental conservation in new ways—so that these
of good stewardship for
extraordinarily successful, with nearly 350,000 acres now constituents will find it relevant to their lives and take part.
this amazing place that protected by conservation easements. In many cases, people Of course, many of the Piedmont’s new residents are children,
we call home. are not just preserving land—they’re making it better, by in a generation where children’s access to nature is often
2
5. AYLIN AND OYA SIMPSON FIND A BIRD’S NEST IN THE POLLINATOR
GARDEN NEAR THEIR HOME IN BROADLANDS. Photo by Rose Jenkins.
restricted. Whether children or adults, when people are cut off from
nature, they cannot learn to love it, and they will not act to protect it.
Contents
So, PEC is reaching out in new ways to engage people in the work
MAP OF THE PIEDMONT 4
that we do—and our membership is growing. We have expanded land conservation 6
our communications and outreach capacity. We are holding more
outdoor events. We have directly helped to create four new public clean water 8
parks and trails in recent years. Our Buy Fresh Buy Local program history and beauty 10
connects about 240,000 households with local farms. And PEC’s
popular sustainable habitat program, now in its third year, shows better communities 12
people how they can improve the natural world where they live, sensible transportation 14
whether that’s a large farm or a city lot.
healthy air 16
PEC, at 40, is vital and dynamic, growing and changing—while
staying strong in our core mission to protect the land. When we strong rural economies 18
preserve land we preserve the potential for people to use and enjoy habitat restoration 20
it in many ways—from growing food to exploring wild places.
We are happy that people in the Piedmont today can enjoy these connecting people 22
and nature
opportunities, and our goal is to offer this same abundance of
potential for people in the Piedmont tomorrow. THE PIEDMONT
FOUNDATION 24
Sincerely, CONTRIBUTIONS 25
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND STAFF
32
Chris Miller, President
STATEMENTS OF INSIDE
FINANCIAL CONDITION BACK COVER
Tony Vanderwarker,
Chair of the Board
Piedmont Environmental Council · Annual Report · 2011
3
7. Easements Recorded in 2011
Conservation Easements Civil War Battlefields Rivers / Streams
Publicly Owned Lands Historic Districts National Historic Landmarks
Map created by PEC for presentation purposes only. Data source: County Governments, VDHR, VDCR, CWPT, USGS, and PEC. Although
efforts have been made to verify data, accuracy is not guaranteed. For more information, please visit www.pecva.org. March 2012
Conservation Easements
Conservation Easements in the Piedmont Public Lands
40 Years of Land Conservation Conservation Easements
0 10 20 Public Lands q
Miles
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L O
U
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2002
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1982 1992 2012
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8. land conservation
VOLUNTARY ACTION • OUTSTANDING SUCCESS • SAVING PLACES PEOPLE LOVE
THE MCKAY FAMILY—BEV, STEPHANIE, AND ALEX—WORKED WITH PEC
AND THE USDA TO PROTECT THIS DAIRY FARM IN CLARKE COUNTY.
Photo by George Patterson.
6
9. land conservation
PEC as a Land Trust ``PEC conducted extensive outreach to ``PEC held a well-attended workshop for
PEC is expanding our role as a full-service land trust— landowners, including a targeted mailing landowners in Culpeper, covering topics
one of the key goals of our 2010 Strategic Plan. Historically, that reached 5,700 homes, successful media from conservation easements to riparian
outreach, and numerous presentations. buffers to habitat restoration.
PEC has concentrated on policy advocacy and landowner PEC’s staff made personal contact with
outreach, and partnered with other land trusts (largely approximately 375 interested landowners ``PEC strengthens local Purchase of
state agencies) as easement holders. Going forward, we are about their conservation options. Development Rights (PDR) programs
holding more easements ourselves. This adds to landowners’ by building citizen support, collaborating
on projects, and providing matching
options and makes more conservation projects possible. In funds from donations or grants. In 2011,
2011, PEC accepted four easements, so that we now hold PDR programs in Clarke, Fauquier and
easements on a total of nearly 6,000 acres. Altogether, PEC Rappahannock protected nine working
currently holds easements on nearly 6,000 acres. PEC was in farms, totaling approximately 1,450 acres.
the vanguard of land trusts nationwide when, ``Through the Piedmont Foundation, PEC
in early 2011, we achieved accreditation manages ten land conservation funds
through the Land Trust Accreditation focused on specific priority areas (see
Commission, ensuring easement donors p. 24). In 2011, our Clarke County Land
Conservation Fund helped the local PDR
the highest level of responsible stewardship. program to purchase an easement on 103
acres of a working dairy farm within a rural
historic district (pictured on facing page).
``With the help of generous donors, PEC
12,000+ Acres Protected 1,850 ACRES OF PRIVATE LAND ALONG THE CONWAY RIVER IN established the new Greene County Land
MADISON AND GREENE ARE PROTECTED. Photo by Frank Crocker. Conservation Fund, a revolving fund that
2011 Acres Total Land Percentage of Land assists landowners with the up-front costs
Protected by Protected by Protected by FAWNBOROUGH, A 218-ACRE FARM IN FAUQUIER, WAS
County Conservation Easements Conservation Easements Conservation Easements
PROTECTED LAST YEAR, PRESERVING RURAL SCENERY DIRECTLY
of donating a conservation easement.
ACROSS FROM GREAT MEADOWS. Photo by Heather Richards.
Albemarle 2,300 85,700 18%
Clarke 700 20,750 18%
Culpeper 400 13,600 5.5%
Fauquier 3,200 94,500 22.5%
Greene 1,300 10,000 10%
Loudoun 2,050 50,250 15%
Madison 300 13,400 6%
Orange 1,300 31,200 14%
Rappahannock 650 29,300 17%
PEC Region 12,200 348,700 15%
7
10. STEVEN HENSLEY FENCED CATTLE OUT OF 2,000 FEET OF STREAMS
AT HIS FARM IN RAPPAHANNOCK. Photo by Katherine Vance.
clean water
SAFE DRINKING SOURCES • HEALTHY STREAMS • PLACES TO SWIM AND FISH
8
11. clean water
Radioactive
risk from ``Almost 50 miles of streams
were protected by conservation
``PEC is working with the Town of
Leesburg to encourage low impact
uranium
easements in 2011, bringing the total development that will leave intact
to more than 1,400 miles. more of the natural systems that
filter water.
mining ``Over 275 acres of wetlands were
protected with conservation ``PEC partnered with high school
easements in 2011, for a total of students in Purcellville on a multi-
PEC has been a powerful fighter in the nearly 8,200 acres. year project that expanded riparian
face of a major corporate push to open buffers on the banks of Catoctin
Virginia to uranium mining. Nowhere Creek, saved their outdoor lab, and
Building in the United States has uranium been
mined in a rainy, volatile climate like
created a new public trail (see p. 23).
``PEC co-organized the 10th Annual
fences for Virginia’s, and the risk of releasing
toxic and radioactive contaminants,
Loudoun Family Stream Day, an
educational event for students and
cleaner including numerous carcinogens, into
families.
streams water supplies is very high. Uranium
deposits exist throughout Virginia,
``PEC worked with students to create
a rain garden at Eastern View High
School in Culpeper, to absorb and
including the Piedmont region.
Farmers have used a unique filter stormwater runoff.
PEC and our partners succeeded in
incentive program coordinated
preventing a bill to lift Virginia’s ban ``Due in part to PEC’s long-running
by PEC to fence over 1,000 cattle EXAMINING A LARGEMOUTH BASS AT PEC’S POND
on uranium mining in 2012, although MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP. Photo by Katherine Vance. community outreach, Culpeper
out of streams. These incentives moved forward on a plan for water
mining interests are moving toward a
have resulted in livestock and sewer infrastructure that
renewed push in 2013.
exclusion fencing along 13 miles of ``PEC hosted a free pond supports reasonable growth and
management workshop near reduces the allocation for effluent
streams, including eight miles in
Warrenton, for people interested in going into local streams by one
Rappahannock, where the program improving water quality and wildlife million gallons per day.
began. It has since expanded habitat.
to include Culpeper, Greene, ``Albemarle and Charlottesville gave
``PEC built support for local measures final approval to a community
Madison and Orange. Funds are
to protect Loudoun’s streams, water supply plan long advocated
provided through a National Fish with partial success, resulting in by PEC—providing a reliable, locally
and Wildlife Foundation grant. stronger rules to prevent leaking sourced water supply.
In combination with government septic systems and erosion from
construction sites, expanded ``PEC co-chairs the Choose Clean
cost-share programs, they cover Water coalition, which brings nearly
incentives for riparian buffers, and
the total costs of stream fencing in funding for suburban tree-planting 200 groups in the Chesapeake Bay
most cases. NAOMI HODGE-MUSE, A LEADER IN THE STATEWIDE
projects. watershed together to work for
EFFORT TO KEEP VIRGINIA’S BAN ON URANIUM MINING, clean streams and a healthy Bay.
SAYS, “WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE FUTURE CITIZENS
OF VIRGINIA.” Photo by Katherine Vance.
Piedmont Environmental Council · Annual Report · 2011
9
12. history and beauty
SENSE OF PLACE • SCENIC VIEWS • BATTLEFIELDS • HISTORIC DISTRICTS
PEACH ORCHARD IN ALBEMARLE COUNTY.
Photo by David Anhold.
10
13. history and beauty
``PEC scored two major victories in keeping giant
transmission lines from scarring our scenic and
historic landscapes—ending designation of our
region as a priority transmission line corridor and
getting the PATH line application withdrawn
(see p. 17).
``The second annual PEC Photo Contest brought in
another outpouring of stunning images—a great
celebration of this beautiful and unique place.
``Over 3,700 acres of land visible from the
WINNER OF THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES CATEGORY IN THE 2011
Appalachian Trail were protected last year, for a PEC PHOTO CONTEST. Photo by Tom Lussier.
total of nearly 103,000 acres.
``PEC’s staff spent a summer Saturday greeting
``Over 2,500 acres along Scenic Byways were visitors on overlooks in Shenandoah National
protected last year, for a total of nearly 97,000 Park, increasing awareness of how private land
acres. conservation protects cherished views.
HISTORICAL DRAWING OF THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.
``Over 90,000 acres of land in rural historic
districts are now protected by conservation
Saving Wilderness easements, including nearly 1,700 acres protected
in 2011.
Battlefield—the ``Over 400 acres of Civil War battlefields were
bigger picture
protected by conservation easements in 2011,
including portions of Thoroughfare Gap and
Buckland Mills in Fauquier and Upperville in
Loudoun. Altogether, conservation easements
In a dramatic win for Civil War historic preservation, permanently protect over 22,000 acres of
PEC and our partners stopped Walmart from building battlefields in the Piedmont.
a Supercenter at Wilderness Battlefield in Orange
``PEC contributed to efforts to highlight local Civil
County. Last year, Walmart withdrew their plans for
UNISON BATTLEFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT. Photo by Rose Jenkins.
War history throughout our region, as part of the
the battlefield site and chose an alternative location. ``The 8,000-acre Unison Battlefield Historic Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Civil War.
But this fight underscores the need for a better plan for District in Loudoun County, including some of
the Rt. 3 corridor—one that balances economic growth the nation’s most pristine Civil War historic sites, ``PEC is coordinating a workshop on minimizing
became official in 2011, thanks to a grassroots the impact of infrastructure—like roads, cell
with historic preservation, and optimizes potential for
effort supported by PEC. towers, or transmission lines—on Thoroughfare
tourism. As Orange revises its Comprehensive Plan, PEC Gap Battlefield in Fauquier.
is working toward a positive vision for this exceptionally ``PEC helped to keep a bridge over Scenic Byway
historic area. Rt. 231 in Madison in keeping with the area’s rural ``PEC is helping to plan a network of trails linking
character (see p. 15). historic sites and tourist destinations in Orange.
Piedmont Environmental Council · Annual Report · 2011
11
14. better communities
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT • GREAT PLACES TO LIVE • MANAGING TRAFFIC AND TAXES
DOWNTOWN CULPEPER.
Photo by Katherine Vance.
12
15. better communities
Reasonable
growth
``PEC advocated for maintaining ``PEC helped to stop a flawed
the current size of the Albemarle cluster zoning ordinance
County Growth Area, helping in Culpeper, which would
in Fauquier to defeat numerous proposals
for unnecessary expansions—
have allowed many years of
development to go up at once,
including one that would have without permanent protection for
In spite of weak demand in the eliminated community open space open space.
housing market, Fauquier keeps in the Redfields neighborhood.
seeing one oversized development ``PEC joined with historic
``PEC has long advocated for preservation partners to provide
proposal after another. PEC Albemarle’s Places 29 plan, a earthquake aid in Culpeper,
successfully advocated against smart-growth blueprint for land to assist with stabilization of
the proposed Village of Catlett, use and transportation in the historic buildings in the revitalized
which would have more than Route 29 corridor, which was downtown area.
adopted in 2011.
doubled the size of the existing ``PEC is taking part in the ongoing
village. We continue to work for ``PEC helped to rally overwhelming review of the Madison County
NEW DEVELOPMENT NEAR METRO STOPS, INCLUDING THE
reasonable growth in Fauquier by PLANNED SILVER LINE TO DULLES AIRPORT, WILL MEAN SMART citizen support for Albemarle’s Comprehensive Plan, advocating
opposing the 500-unit Mintbook GROWTH INSTEAD OF SPRAWL IN THE D.C. AREA. sustainability initiatives, although for rural preservation and a
the County responded by proactive plan for growth along
proposal in Bealeton, supporting proceeding with one program Rt. 29.
the County’s move toward a more
comprehensive fiscal impact model,
D.C. goes for and cancelling others.
``PEC is working with the Town of
and encouraging efforts to promote
green development design.
smart growth ``PEC mobilized citizen opposition
to a rezoning that would swell
Leesburg on incorporating low
impact development standards
Creekside, in Greene, to almost into the zoning ordinance.
PEC works closely with our partner in 1,200 units, increasing strain on
SUE SCHEER AND HOPE PORTER HAVE BEEN the D.C. area, the Coalition for Smarter local schools and roads. ``PEC co-organized
FIGHTING FOR SENSIBLE GROWTH IN FAUQUIER
FOR DECADES. Photo by Rose Jenkins. Growth, which made major strides EarthDay@Loudoun, an
outdoor festival in suburban
last year in advancing transit-oriented
Loudoun that drew over 6,000
development—a model that would people! Numerous exhibitors,
channel much of the region’s growth educational activities, and a
into vibrant neighborhoods within Green Marketplace all focused
on celebrating nature and
walking distance of Metro stops. This
learning how to be more
goal gained traction in Prince George’s, environmentally friendly.
Fairfax, Montgomery, Arlington and D.C.,
and at the regional planning level. The
federal government added significant
momentum, announcing a plan to locate EARTHDAY@LOUDOUN.
its large-scale agencies near Metro stops. Photo by Oya Simpson.
Piedmont Environmental Council · Annual Report · 2011
13
16. PEC SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR THE ROUTE
50 TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT, INCLUDING THIS
ROUNDABOUT AT GILBERTS CORNER—WHICH IS NOW
IMPROVING SAFETY AND TRAFFIC FLOW AND SAVING
TAXPAYERS THE EXPENSE OF A MAJOR ROAD-WIDENING.
Photo by Katherine Vance.
sensible transportation
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY • LESS SPRAWL • MORE OPTIONS
14