Saratoga PLAN

09/04/2026

Happy National Wildlife Day! 🦉🦌🐢

From chipmunks to the endangered species, Saratoga PLAN’s preserves provide habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Here are just a few of the animals spotted on protected lands across the Saratoga region.

Swipe through to meet some "wild" neighbors! 📸 Thank you to Liz Roos for sharing these beautiful shots.

What wildlife have you spotted on a Saratoga PLAN preserve?

09/03/2026

Our 4th Annual "Plan for the Future" fundraising dinner and auction on Thursday, September 16th is officially SOLD OUT!

We're thrilled by the amount of interest and can't wait to see everyone who secured a spot. If you missed out, stay tuned for updates from the event and more opportunities to get involved with PLAN.

Thank you for your support! 🌟

09/03/2026

As rapid growth alters landscapes and other human activities lead to habitat loss and degradation, it’s becoming harder for wildlife to find the food, shelter, and space they need.

As an accredited land trust, Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) works to protect and care for the lands that shape quality of life, for people and wildlife alike across the Saratoga region.

🎥 Watch this video to hear Rob Snell, President of Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, talk about the importance of wildlife habitat.

Want to learn more about local conservation and how you can support it? Subscribe to Saratoga PLAN’s E-News: https://mailchi.mp/saratogaplan/subscribe-for-updates

Video shot by Light It Up Media at Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail.

09/01/2026

We’re excited to share an upcoming event from one of our community partners!

♻️ Sustainable Saratoga is hosting Saratoga Recycles Day on Saturday, October 31st.

Community organizations and businesses will be at the S**C parking lot to accept donations of gently used household goods for reuse and e-waste for recycling from 9am-12pm. $5 fee per car to enter.

By keeping usable items in circulation and properly recycling electronics, we can reduce waste and lessen our impact. 🌎

Learn more: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/saratoga-recycles-day/

Mark your calendars! Saratoga Recycles Day is happening on Saturday, Ocotber 31, 2026 at the S**C parking lot. Start setting aside your unwanted items now and help us give them a second life! ♻️

Learn more: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/saratoga-recycles-day/

Adirondack Trust Company Palette

08/28/2026

Saratoga PLAN is proud to be a Leave No Trace Community Partner!

Leave No Trace is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the outdoors through education. Their science-based approach gives people the knowledge and practical tools to enjoy parks, trails, and public lands while minimizing their impact.

Recently, we hosted a Leave No Trace Instructor 1 Course for PLAN staff, volunteers, and partner organizations. The course was co-led by PLAN’s Communications Manager, Anna, and Zac Cole of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

As certified Leave No Trace instructors, course attendees can now teach Leave No Trace principles through awareness workshops and empower even more people to recreate responsibly.

In this photo, PLAN volunteer Ralph Keating demonstrates a cathole as part of his practice lesson on properly disposing of human waste in the backcountry. It may not be the most glamorous part of the course, but it’s an important skill!

We’re looking forward to continuing to build Leave No Trace into our work and being a resource for the community.

08/27/2026

Saratoga PLAN is hiring a UTAP (Universal Trail Assessment Process) Intern for September–December!

This part-time position is a great opportunity for a student interested in gaining real-world experience with accessibility initiatives at a nonprofit conservation organization.

The intern will:
🥾 Assess trails using the Universal Trail Assessment Process
🗺️ Collect and analyze trail data
📍 Help develop trail accessibility resources
📸 Capture photos and video
🌿 Support trail maintenance, stewardship projects and volunteer workdays
🤝 Work alongside PLAN staff, volunteers and community partners

📅 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

👉 View the full position description and learn how to apply: https://saratogaplan.org/careers/

Know a student who might be a great fit? Please share this opportunity!

08/25/2026

Looking for a place to get outside without going too far? Rowland Hollow Creek Preserve offers a way to connect with nature right inside the City of Saratoga Springs.

Wander along ¾ mile of trails through the woods, with an overlook offering a view of Rowland Hollow Creek. It’s a peaceful spot to slow down and explore.

Learn more: https://saratogaplan.org/explore-parks-and-trails/rowland-hollow-creek-preserve/

08/23/2026

Saratoga PLAN and community members recently gathered to celebrate the unveiling of a beautiful new addition to the nature-inspired mural at PLAN’s Stewardship Resource Center! Local artist Sallie Way led the project with help from Galway CSD art students and other volunteers. 🎨

Inspired by Galway’s farmland and local history, the new addition tells a story of the community and the land. Sallie shared more about the inspiration and creative process and afterwards guests enjoyed a hike through the Preserve and a delicious picnic catered by The Galway Local.

Make sure to stop by Galway Nature Preserve to see the mural for yourself! https://saratogaplan.org/explore-parks-and-trails/galway-nature-preserve/

Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

08/21/2026

Executive Director Jamie Brown recently joined WTEN's Upstate Living to chat about Saratoga PLAN and why local land conservation matters.

From working farms and forests to clean water, wildlife habitat and places to get outside, land conservation plays an important role in maintaining the quality of life that makes Saratoga County such a great place to live, visit, work and play. 🌲

A big thank you to News10 and hosts Anne and Billy for having Jamie on the show and for making space to talk about the importance of protecting the lands that shape the region!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzbgE1hZUV0

08/19/2026

📣 Are you highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about conservation?

Saratoga PLAN is looking for a full-time Operations Manager to be the administrative center of our organization and help keep our office, systems, events and records running smoothly.

We’re looking for a jack-of-all-trades, team player and problem solver who enjoys supporting mission-driven work and collaborating with a small, dedicated team protecting the farms, forests and waters of the Saratoga region.

💼 Full-time, in-office
💰 $55,000–$60,000 + benefits
📅 Application deadline: September 14, 2026

Please share with your networks and tag anyone who may be interested!

Visit saratogaplan.org/operationsmanager for the full job description and application instructions.