Major land use decisions are best made through the participation of well informed and active citizens. Thus, the core of PEC's land use work is outreach to local residents, empowering them to pursue a positive vision for their community.

PEC provides high-quality maps so citizens can visualize their options. We work with the media to make sure that news stories provide the information people need. We bring interested citizens together in rallies, workshops, briefings and festive events. We also publish county- or issue-specific Clarion newsletters that are delivered to households throughout out region. Last year, PEC's Clarion newsletters were delivered to over 235,000 homes!

PEC cutting-edge Internet advocay tools include Action Alerts tailored to your own local interests and our free e-mail news service, The Piedmont News. PEC Action Alerts will invite you to upcoming events, inform you about vital decisions, and often allow you to take direct action in seconds. The Piedmont News, available in daily or weekly editinos, connects subscribers with news coverage of the issues shaping the places where they live.

PEC's latest tool for citizens is a new website, LocalDecisions.org, an innovative web-based tool that lets citizens know what un-built development projects, both approved and proposed, are located near them. The tool is an integration of Google Maps API, local planning data and Convio advocacy software. The initial launch is for Loudoun County only, but data for additional counties will be available soon.