Programs: Conservation program - plan provides comprehensive services and expertise to communities and individuals in the saratoga county region to permanently conserve significant tracts of farmland, woodlands, wildlife habitats, water resources, and trail linkages. Landscape analysis, conservation and community planning, consultations, educational programs, grant writing, volunteer coordination, local government partnership, technical assistance, project management, and direct and facilitated land protection are elements of plan's conservation services. For some projects, plan directly acquires title to real property for nature preserves, trails, and water resource protection, or facilitates and assists the conveyance of property to another entity such as a town or another conservation organization. Another strategy used to conserve land is the acceptance of conservation easements which restrict uses and limit development on properties which continue to be owned and managed by others, thus enduring their permanent protection and public benefits. In other scenarios, plan helps landowners and communities identify and develop plans for conservation of their natural resources, facilitating or serving as the agent to help implement and accomplish their mutual conservation goals. Plan serves as an umbrella organization to provide, support and coordinate the efforts of hundreds of volunteers working to plan, advance and manage a multi-user trail system throughout saratoga county for recreation and transportation. Over 200 miles of trail have been established to date and progress continues to expand and link them into a network. Saratoga plan is a nationally credited land trust, meeting the highest standards for nonprofit management and transaction practices for land conservation and stewardship projects.
stewardship program - plan provides land stewardship for 4,407 acres of conserved lands which are owned in fee title, protected by conservation easements, or managed for municipalities. Lands owned by plan are managed primarily for natural resource protection, in accordance with management plans, allowing for compatible public access at some sites for recreational and educational uses while maintaining conservation values and ecological functions. Over 100 volunteers receive training and coordination in order to assist with management of the 12 nature preserves, which are open for public access. To ensure that conservation values are upheld in perpetuity, plan's staff members monitor and enforce the terms of 33 conservation easement agreements on 2,376 acres in close consultation with the land owners of those properties. Information on orientation kiosks located at the trailheads reflects the cultural and natural history of the sites, lists rules, regulations and safety precautions for use of the trails. Maps and clues for nature-based "treasure hunts" are provided for children in plan's "passports" project.
education and outreach - through an active, multi-faceted education and outreach program, plan fosters an understanding and appreciation for the landscape of saratoga county and its relationship to the well being of the community. The importance of the landscape and natural resource protection to public health, quality of life, economic vitality, and life support systems are emphasized through written communications, website, social media, fact sheets, newsletters, press releases, exhibits, outings, and tours, numerous student internships, interpretive signage, field activities, and in-person presentations to community groups, field trips, conferences, service opportunities, tours, and other forum's. Plan maintains 12 nature preserves for public access, hiking, contemplation, nature observation, artistic activities, experiential educational explorations, and enjoyment by all visitors.
