Loudoun Climate Project is proud to share Appalachian Voices’ recent acknowledgement of our President and Co-Founder, Natalie Pien. Since attending the 2017 VA State Water Control Board hearings for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, Natalie has worked to bring the fight against them to Loudoun County. A former Environmental Scientist and retired public school science teacher, Natalie is guided by science, education, and science-based policy making. Since founding Loudoun Climate Project’s predecessor 350 Loudoun, Natalie has been sounding the climate crisis alarm regarding: its anthropogenic causes; the need to stop greenhouse gas emissions by keeping fossil fuels in the ground; and advocating for a rapid transition to renewable sources of energy in order to avert the worst outcomes.

It’s clear that regular people like you, me, and Natalie Pien can accomplish amazing things. Regular people can fight the fossil fuel industry and defeat the kinds of projects that ravage communities and increase the warming of the planet. However, none of us does that alone. We’re grateful to our coalition partner Appalachian Voices, and look forward to our next opportunity to work together to advance environmental justice, and stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

On such an auspicious occasion, Natalie had this to say:

While I appreciate this recognition, I am humbled to be included with a group of stellar women. I just try to do my best to make a difference.

We agree with Appalachian Voices and think Natalie’s pretty great as well. We invite Loudouners to join us in congratulating her on this well deserved acknowledgement!