PEC announces hire of new Rapp field representative
LAURA O’BRIENNE: “I am most excited about working in Rappahannock because of how passionate the folks who live here are about their home. e sheer amount of energy displayed by Rappahannock residents working to protect and enhance the county is infectious.”
The Piedmont Environmental Council on Wednesday announced the appointment of Laura O’Brien as its new Rappahannock County eld representative, lling the role previously held by Claire Catlett, who served in the position from 2017 to 2021.
O’Brien’s work will be focused on facilitating conservation projects and encouraging land use decisions that support Rappahannock County’s ecological, scenic, historic and cultural resources and characteristics.
“Rappahannock is one of the most beautiful places in the world, in my opinion. The vitality of the town and villages, paired with the incredible amount of open space, are inspiring. The county’s historic legacy and strong modern ties to agriculture and working lands also draws me in. And the opportunity to work along the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, and in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a dream come true,” O’Brien said.
“But I am most excited about working in Rappahannock because of how passionate the folks who live here are about their home. The sheer amount of energy displayed by Rappahannock residents working to protect and enhance the county is infectious. I’m thrilled to be working in a county where people are so connected to the land,” she said.
In an interview with Rappahannock News, O’Brien noted how much more fun it is to work alongside a community that’s excited about conservation work rather than one that’s apathetic.
O’Brien grew up in northern Massachusetts with a love for the outdoors where she became interested in conservation e orts a er becoming aware of the suburban sprawl that surrounded her.
She now lives in Falls Church with her partner and commutes to Warrenton for work where PEC’s headquarters are located. “I love Falls Church, but it’s de nitely really nice having the opportunity to work in such a beautiful place where people are connected to the land,” she said.
She joined the PEC sta in December 2021, a er graduating earlier that year from Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and minors in writing and journalism.
“I entered school as a journalism major, hoping to spark action by telling the stories of grassroots community conservation. But I quickly came to the realization that I didn’t just want to write about these communities; I wanted to work on the ground alongside them,” O’Brien said.
Her work in New York with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, Trout Unlimited, and the Ithaca Children’s Garden only further con rmed her interest and passion for environmental conservation and community engagement. She also always wanted to work near Shenandoah National Park and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
“Laura’s passions and prior experiences and education align incredibly well with PEC’s work in Rappahannock County, and we look forward to the contributions she’ll make and the partnerships she’ll be able to forge with the Rappahannock community,” said Mike Kane, PEC Director of Land Conservation.
As a newcomer to PEC and the area, O’Brien says she’d like to spend her rst six months engaged in meaningful conversations with Rappahannock landowners, learning about how they, or their families long ago, found their way to Rappahannock, what they love about the area, and what their vision is for the future of their land.
“I’m looking forward to serving as an advocate for the Rappahannock community, and to working with partner organizations to preserve the natural resources and beauty of the area while also ensuring that its communities thrive. I also want to collaborate with partner organizations on workshops and tree plantings in the area that allows me to speak with new folks about the work we do,” she said.
She also hopes to protect the Rappahannock River and its many tributaries, as well as the many other rivers and streams in the area. Conserving grassland bird habitats is also a top priority for her.
O’Brien encourages community members to reach out to her directly with any questions or ideas about conservation, land use and planning, land management, and other related topics. “Even if I don’t personally know the answer, I am always happy to help connect folks with other organizations, programs, and resources,” she said. O’Brien can be reached by email at lobrien@pecva.org or by phone at 540-347-2334, ext. 7060.