Learn Local – Conservation Education Events in the Piedmont
- Karissa Epley
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
While I may not love the heat wave that ushers in summer, I am a huge fan of the outdoor gatherings and mission-driven events that bloom with the season. In the Virginia Piedmont, early summer offers some of the best opportunities to connect with the land, learn from those stewarding it, and support the nonprofits doing important environmental work right here at home.
From garden dinners to keynote lectures, June is full of ways to lean into conservation, culture, and community. Below are a few events I’m especially excited about—ones that I believe offer not just a great experience, but a deeper sense of place and purpose.
Feast from the Field – A Date Night for a Cause
I’ve promised a roundup of “Date Nights for a Cause,” and Oak Spring Garden Foundation's (OSGF) Feast from the Field absolutely belongs on that list. On Friday, June 6, guests are invited to dine right in the vegetable rows of the Biocultural Conservation Garden. The evening begins with a garden stroll, signature cocktails, and curated light bites, followed by a family-style dinner crafted by Chef Jason Neve. The menu will showcase a medley of summer crops grown right there on the property.
Beyond being a beautiful event, Feast from the Field supports OSGF’s mission. In addition to operating a robust CSA, OSGF donates fresh produce to local food banks each week and is deeply involved in saving and sharing heirloom and heritage seeds—plants culturally and historically significant to the Appalachian and Virginia Piedmont regions.
Tickets are $225 per person, which I know is not inexpensive. But having experienced the depth and care behind OSGF’s programming, I can honestly say it’s a worthwhile investment—especially knowing proceeds support free community education and summer camp scholarships for local youth.
A Garden Tour that Inspires
If Feast from the Field isn’t in the cards, consider OSGF’s Garden Tour on June 27–28. It’s a rare chance to explore the deeply curated gardens of designer, horticulturalist, and philanthropist Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, whose designs reflect an elegant, understated philosophy of beauty and utility in landscape. The tour draws guests from across the region, and for good reason—it’s not just a visit to a garden, it’s a glimpse into a legacy of horticultural excellence.
I visited last year and still carry that sense of awe with me. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased on OSGF’s website.
PEC’s Annual Gathering
Another highlight on the horizon is the Piedmont Environmental Council’s (PEC) Annual Gathering on Sunday, June 8, featuring keynote speaker Thomas Woltz, the visionary behind Nelson Byrd Woltz (NBW) Landscape Architects.
NBW’s work is grounded in research, ecology, and history. They don’t just design spaces—they reveal the stories that live in a landscape. I’ve had the unique privilege of working with their team on a project through my current role (details I can’t share just yet), and seeing their thoughtful process unfold has been a professional joy. Though I’ll miss the final stages of the collaboration due to my upcoming job transition, I continue to be in awe of their work.
This year’s event takes place at Eldon Farm in Rappahannock County, one of NBW’s current projects. The focus? Preserving a landscape for generations while providing spaces for people to connect, restore, and learn. Tickets are $40 and include lunch, the keynote, and a series of afternoon workshops.
Get Your Hands Dirty: Volunteer at PEC’s Community Farm
For those looking for hands-on involvement, PEC’s Community Farm in Aldie, VA is currently seeking volunteers to help plant and harvest produce. Each year, over 30,000 pounds of food from the farm are donated to Loudoun Hunger Relief, addressing food insecurity while fostering land stewardship in action.
Why These Events Matter
I could go on and on about conservation-related events happening this season—and probably will in future posts—but I want to close by getting back to the heart of this blog. My hope is to connect you with the nonprofits and neighbors whose work in conservation, agriculture, and community service enriches life in the Piedmont. These events aren’t just calendar fillers—they’re invitations to engage, learn, and build something lasting.
If you know of similar events or volunteer opportunities worth spotlighting, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message or leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to share them here.
Let’s make this a summer of connection—with the land, with one another, and with the values that root us.
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