Preserving Virginia’s Piedmont Region Means Working in the District

BY MADDIE RENNYSON

You know you’re in Virginia as soon as the Blue Ridge Mountains begin to peek over the horizon. Whether it’s a day trip to Upperville or a weekend getaway to Charlottesville to escape the city hustle, the Virginia countryside is a serene homeaway-from-home. What you may not know is that most of the surrounding farms and lush arboriculture has been tirelessly maintained and conserved by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) for the last fifty years.

The PEC was founded in 1972 with a mission of “promoting and protecting the natural resources, rural economy, history, and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont.” The organization is headquartered in Warrenton, Virginia but works in the District to help shape public policy to conserve land in the surrounding metropolitan area amidst rapid development. PEC has a strong community foundation and works year-round to protect the environment through reforestation, land conservation, wildlife habitat maintenance, farm-to-table initiatives, and clean energy and water programs.

The Georgetowner sat down with Chris

H I C Ko R Y T R E E Fa R M

The Plains, Virginia • $8,750,000

304 acres | Main house, stunning guest house w/ garage, 2 tenant houses, manager’s house, apartment complex, pool, 5 barns, approx 60 stalls, 3/4 mile all weather sand track, pond & extensive paddocks, fencing & sheds | Panoramic views of Bull Run Mountains & the Blue Ridge Mountains | Original home site still surrounded by towering trees, garden & stone walls

Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

H U G H E S V I L L E R D

Leesburg, Virginia • $1,995,000

99.33 acres in prime Loudoun Hunt country location, easy access to Leesburg, Purcellville & Lincoln | Property is in conservation easement | Mountain and valley views | Rolling acreage | Approximately 65 acres of pasture, 35 acres of woods, major creek frontage | | Very protected location.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Brian MacMahon (703) 609-1868

Miller, president of PEC, and Advancement Officer Gertraud Hechl, to discuss pertinent issues and top goals for the organization this year.

Up to this point, PEC has officially conserved almost 25 percent of the 2 million acres of land in the Piedmont region encompassing the foothills and river valleys between Virginia’s Coastal Plain and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This has been made possible by the collaboration between family farm owners and PEC land conservationists who have the same goal in mind: to protect Virginia’s most historic and beautiful land.

However, Big Data has arrived. A large commercial development known as Data Center Alley – comprised of the world’s largest concentration of data centers in Ashburn, Virginia -- threatens the PEC’s conservation efforts. These data centers are used to power our speedy smartphones and 10K-resolution televisions but have harmed wildlife habitats and substantially decreased fertile farmlands.

“We are the place where the global cloud operates,” Miller tells The Georgetowner, as he warns that this concentration of data centers could have severe impact on electrical demand in Virginia over the next 15-20 years.

PEC also empowers communities to embrace the “buy fresh, buy local” lifestyle by supporting farms directly. The clean eating process is cyclical and starts with the consumer. When purchasing produce from a grocery store, farmers receive a minute percentage of the profit. However, when bought directly, farmers earn the entire profit. Additionally, the consumer is purchasing a sustainable, reliable food source. With a higher profit margin from direct sales, farmers can continue to engage in sustainable farming practices which are more costly yet protective of the environment.

With Earth Day approaching on April 22, many wonder how they can participate. One of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions is transportation. Walking or biking instead of driving is always a good choice. Throughout the year, PEC hosts many different events from tree-planting and nature walks to river clean up days. Miller and Hechl agree that the most important initiative is inspiring the next generation to maintain the progress that’s been made. Playing outside, visits to the farmers market, and gardening are all small ways to have a long-lasting impact.

Visit Pecva.org for more information and a full calendar of events. See Georgetowner. com for a list of fun activities in Virginia’s Piedmont region.

C At E S B Y V I N E Ya R D

Upperville, Virginia • $1,300,000

44.55 acres of which 15 acres are producing grapes | 8.5 acres of Chambourcin, Traminette on 4.3 acres and Vidal Blanc on 2.1 acres. | Vineyard infrastructure includes fencing, irrigation system and computerized well | Perc site for 4 bedroom home. Property is in conservation easement | Property can be converted to Residential use.

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Brian MacMahon (703) 609-1868

Virginia • $2,700,000 Major frontage on Route 50 & Atoka Rd | Commercial kitchen, beer cooler, grocery items, pizza oven, in store seating | Potential to be very lucrative | Property also improved by older home, old gas station has been renovated for potential office space or storage & stone spring house | 2 lots with commercial village zoning

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

Brian MacMahon (703) 609-1868

R E C T O R T O W N R O A D

Marshall, Virginia • $1,250,000

Lovely country home on private lot in the village of Rectortown | FIBER INTERNET | Open floor plan with main level suite and home office | Upper level overlooks large family room with two story vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace and two large bedrooms and second family room | Multiple porches and decks with extensive plantings - easy maintenance. Easy to show.

Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930