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Piedmont Environmental Council   2011
                                 ANNUAL REPORT
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.
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
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
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
Protecting the Piedmont
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
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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
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
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
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
history and beauty
                                          SENSE OF PLACE  • SCENIC VIEWS  • BATTLEFIELDS  • HISTORIC DISTRICTS



     PEACH ORCHARD IN ALBEMARLE COUNTY.
     Photo by David Anhold.


10
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
better communities
                                 CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT  • GREAT PLACES TO LIVE  • MANAGING TRAFFIC AND TAXES




     DOWNTOWN CULPEPER.
     Photo by Katherine Vance.


12
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
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
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011
PEC Annual Report 2011

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PEC Annual Report 2011

  • 1. Piedmont Environmental Council 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
  • 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 L O L O L O L O U U 2002 U U 1982 1992 2012 D RK E D D RK E RKE CLA RKE O CLA CLA CLA D O O O U U U U N N N N A A IA F IA F F F A A A NI NI A U IN U U I I IN U Q Q Q G Q U G NNOCK U U U NNOCK NNOCK PAHA NNOCK RG PAHA RG PAHA RAP PAHA IE IR RAP RAP RAP IE IE IE IR R R V R R VI VI V MA CULP MA MA MA CULP CULP EPE CULP D EPE EPE R EPE D D D R R R IS IS IS IS O O O GR O N GR GR N N GR N E EE E E G E EE EE EE G G N G N E AN N N E AN E AN OR E AN OR OR OR E E E RL LE RL RL A A A M AR M E E EM B EM B B L B L L A L A A A
  • 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