Topics discussed included currently conserved lands in Malta, five different options for conserving farms and other properties, town regulations, and the pluses and minuses of different approaches to protecting nature spaces.
Trabka also provided information on the costs and necessary steps, what makes for a feasible project, and sources of funding. O’Neill noted that there are county and town funds, as well as state funding, to support land conservation. Local farm owners commented on their experiences, working with PLAN, Saratoga County, and the Town of Malta to protect their farmland for agricultural use today and for future generations. Haight explained several additional sources for farmland funding, particularly for new and younger farmers.
Tozzi explained how clustered development can benefit both the landscape and the business interests of developers, while Ball discussed how outdoor recreational opportunities can be tied into new development.
Informational handouts, maps, and contact details were provided for those who wanted to keep the conversation going after the meeting.