The Piedmont Environmental Council

Mission:

Protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities.

Vision:

We envision a Virginia Piedmont where people act on a belief that conservation is essential to creating and maintaining vibrant, healthy communities. Our region is characterized by connected natural and cultural landscapes, thriving villages, towns and cities, clean rivers and streams, and working farms and forests. It’s a beautiful place where residents across all walks of life participate in decisions about its future.

Core Values:

The Virginia Piedmont is our home. We value this region’s people and lands, its history and culture, its beauty and its future. Work we do beyond our nine counties and at state and federal levels is guided by our broad perspective on land uses, watersheds and ecosystems that ultimately affect this region.

We value a thoughtful and holistic approach to addressing the complex issues facing our lands and our communities. Being both idealistic and pragmatic, we consider the best data and research, look for unintended consequences, and pursue creative solutions, always guided by our commitment to a sustainable future for the Piedmont.

We value the broad experiences, opinions and motivations of the Virginia Piedmont’s diverse communities. We are grassroots and nonpartisan, striving to understand on-the-ground policy impacts that help us deliver practical, fair and just solutions to real-world problems.

We value collaboration and partnership. Our success depends on long-term trust, mutual respect and strong relationships with others at the local, regional, state and national level. We are proud to lead when appropriate and take a supportive role when others are better suited to the issue at hand.

We value the power of community engagement. We believe that local decisions matter and that informed and involved communities are vital to achieving positive outcomes. PEC acts as a catalyst and source of inspiration by equipping people with the tools and information they need to mobilize.

We value public access to nature. Fresh air, clean water, and outdoor recreation are critical to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Access also fosters a deeper appreciation for the earth and its systems, and is critical to achieving a widespread conservation ethic.

We value a strong rural economy. Agriculture and forestry are paramount for a resilient, healthy Virginia Piedmont. Without intentional planning and programs that recognize the value of open space and strength of the many industries it supports, the Virginia Piedmont will lose its local food systems, clean waters, wildlife, ecosystems and climate resilience.

We value smart growth that respects natural and cultural resources. Well planned towns, cities and villages are characterized by diverse housing options, nature-filled outdoor spaces, and walkable and bike-friendly connections to services, recreation and work. We believe that decisions about housing, water, energy, transportation and economic development must be made with an eye toward sustainability.

The Piedmont Environmental Council is a catalyst for shaping positive change in the Virginia Piedmont region, and relentless in the pursuit of a sustainable and resilient future. We take a comprehensive, high-level view of trends in policy, economics, and social change, while working on the ground in communities at the most granular level. We welcome community members to join us in this work. For volunteers, we have boots-on-the ground opportunities to join in at our Community Farm growing food for neighbors in need, and supporting Plantings for the Piedmont while planting trees.