Piedmont Discovery Center

Piedmont Discovery Center is an organization dedicated to advancing biodiversity education and conservation in Virginia’s Piedmont Ecoregion. Through place-based research, practical projects, and public learning, it helps people understand the natural and cultural resources found in local landscapes and supports the renewal of native ecosystems.

Its services include designing and restoring native plant communities for public and private clients, conducting biological surveys and natural resource assessments, and developing research and conservation projects. The center also connects local growers with the public through a network that raises plants from locally collected seed. Its publications, presentations, training, and consulting build ecological literacy, while custom interactive “Explorer” maps help people discover the plants, animals, fungi, geology, and history of a property. Piedmont Discovery Center also designs and installs trails that highlight landscape features while limiting impacts and supporting education.

The organization collaborates with landowners, communities, nurseries, educational institutions, and public agencies. Its work includes assessing biological resources and supporting wildlife crossings, with a focus on making conservation engaging, locally relevant, and grounded in scientific inquiry.