The conservation of Morack Farm was PLAN’s first easement in Charlton. The 24.70 acre property consists of forested ecosystems and agricultural fields and also contains a section of Alplaus Kill.

Old Saratoga on the Hudson is a community based inter-municipal effort to develop a “Park” that connects a remarkable concentration of historical, scenic, natural, and recreational resources. The Hudson River is the connecting link among these resources in eastern Saratoga County and western Washington County. The geographic area that makes up Old Saratoga on the Hudson takes in some of the most beautiful, geologically important, and historically significant landscapes in our region. Old Saratoga on the Hudson is a natural complement to Saratoga PLAN’s mission of protecting our region’s scenic, natural, agricultural, and recreational resources.

The Galway Preserve is a 50-acre property that was willed to Saratoga PLAN in 1996 by Marshall Desroches, and was transferred to PLAN as a preserve in 2005. The Preserve boasts ponds, a stream, several trails designed by Marshall Desroches and a somewhat naturalized evergreen plantation. The land was used for agriculture until the early 1950s, when the Desroches family started a Christmas tree farm on the property as the remnant stands of pines and firs suggest.

This preserve is primarily forested with Eastern white pine and American beech, and contains wetlands on portions of the property.

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PLAN played a key role in bringing the need for a comprehensive Countywide planning effort to Saratoga County’s attention, with sustainability at the forefront. PLAN succeeded in effectively putting forth the desired components to be included in such an effort.
Green infrastructure is the deliberate creation of an interconnected system of natural lands, parks, waterways, and open spaces that can sustain Saratoga County’s environmental health, economy, and quality of life.

PLAN acquires additional acreage, expanding the popular Meadow Brook Preserve.

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The Hudson River Preserve property lies adjacent to Hudson River and Saratoga National Historic Park. It is thought that militia farmers crossed from the East through this property during the Revolutionary war. It may also be the former site of a recruiting office during the Revolutionary war

This project protects important open space and habitat in the Fish Creek watershed and allows for the continuation of agricultural use of the land. It was supported by a grant from the Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Program and funds from the Fish Creek Rod and Gun Club.

Saratoga PLAN completes its most complex land project, acquiring 57 acres on the eastern shore of Round Lake. The Round Lake Preserve includes 57 acres of wetlands, forests and fields purchased by Saratoga PLAN and 35 acres of lakefront purchased by the Town of Malta. The preserve protects critical habitat in the Round Lake/Anthony Kill watershed, especially important since it located less than one mile from the Luther Forest Technology Park. The acquisition was made possible thanks to commitments from the Town of Malta, Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Program, the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, and generous donations from individuals.

Through a joint effort by the City of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga PLAN, a 15.28-acre parcel of land known as Ten Springs Woods is placed under easement. A portion of the popular Spring Run Trail crosses through Ten Spring Woods.

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The approximately 84.6-acre Van Arnum Farm consists primarily of agricultural, crop-producing land and also consists of forested woodlands. The Property contains approximately 27 total forested acres, and the high field where the cemetery area is located provides a view for many miles north so that the Lake George basin can be seen. The area is now farmland forever.

This preserve is part of an innovative conservation subdivision project in conjunction with the new Meadow Vista Estates development. A wooded trail system invites people to safely explore the preserve while the woodlands protect wildlife habitat and the unpaved lands protect the water quality and wetlands surrounding Rowland Hollow Creek.

Project partners include Charlew Builders and the City of Saratoga Springs. The Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs provided funding for the trail improvements, entryway, and signage built by PLAN staff, volunteers and contractors.

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The pastoral Foster Sheep Farm lies within one of Saratoga County’s working Farmland Core Areas, and is also located in an Agricultural Core Area of the County’s Green Infrastructure Plan. The property is approximately one and a half miles north of the Hamlet of Bacon Hill, with the Hudson River to the immediate east. The Foster farm has maintained agricultural operations for over 60 years. Currently, the farm houses nearly 60 sheep and also raises hay. The wool from the sheep is used for spinning and is sold within the old homestead on premises. The Fosters also raise meat. The location of the farm along the Hudson River helps protect water quality by serving as a buffer while also providing space for sheep and cattle. The Foster Sheep Farm consists of agricultural land, woodlands and classified wetlands, two streams, and a pond.

Support for the creation of this trail came in many forms from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, the American Battlefield Protection Program, the Bender Family Foundation, Brookfield Power, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, Greenman-Pederson, Inc., NYSOPRHP, Saratoga National Historical Park, Siena College, Saratoga County, the Town of Saratoga, the Village of Victory, and the RBC Foundation. It is PLAN’s hope that the Saratoga Siege Trail will draw and educate visitors for years to come.

The Landscape of Saratoga County project was designed to help people start thinking about larger-scale landscape-level conservation and to take a bird’s eye view of Saratoga County using the data provided to help them understand places they haven’t personally experienced.
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PLAN submitted extensive documentation and applied for accreditation to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. After a rigorous, year-long review processes, on December 17, 2014, PLAN was awarded accreditation by the Commission, one of only 285 land trusts (out of 1,700) from across the country that has been awarded accreditation since the fall of 2008.

This recognition was the culmination of many years of striving for and upholding the highest standards of excellence in order to best serve the conservation needs of the Saratoga County region.

In the Town of Stillwater, the Cocozzo Family protected 264 acres of land that borders the Saratoga National Historic Park and a portion of the Old Champlain Canal. The conservation of the Cocozzo Family’s property ensures the continued agricultural production of the land that is currently leased for crops by Welcome Stock Farm.

This ~1.2 mile trail crosses properties owned by NYS, Saratoga PLAN, and Lyme Timber. PLAN acquired its 100 acre block in 2004 because the organization knew back then that the property was going to be a critical piece of the puzzle in maintaining public access up the mountain. The views of the county from atop this fire tower just can’t be beat, so for PLAN this project was especially significant; it was more than just about opening land up to the public, it was also an opportunity to save one of the only places where people can see the greater landscape and take in just how beautiful and special our county truly is.

PLAN worked with the Taylor family to place a conservation easement on the 250 acre former Hawkwood Estate, which was then transferred to the Town of Ballston as a “forever wild” park. Frank W. Schidzick, Jr. left a bequest in his will to create this public amenity, for which the people of Ballston will forever be grateful to him.

Saratoga PLAN was the recipient of $3.1M in grant awards from the state Farmland Protection Implementation Program for the conservation of seven farm operations on six properties encompassing 961 acres of prime farmland in Saratoga County. The awards, announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, will be used to purchase and permanently retire development rights on the six farms, ensuring that their fertile fields will be available for farming for future generations.

Harold (Dusty) and Arlene Rhodes donated to Saratoga PLAN 23 acres of forested land in Galway that will connect the Milton Preserve to the south and the recently acquired conservation lands on the Carpenter Farm to the north. Together, these properties could provide a natural corridor for the proposed extension of the Long Path trail, eventually extending from New Jersey all the way to the Adirondacks. Saratoga PLAN will steward these lands, with plans for creating public trails across all three adjoining properties.

In early 2018 Saratoga PLAN finalized perpetual conservation easements on three adjacent scenic and productive farm properties in the Town of West Charlton, totaling more than 405 acres. Landowners Dawn and Dorothy Szurek sold a conservation easement on two farms of more than 315 acres, and Gary and Anne Vanderhorst sold an easement on an adjacent farm of close to 90 acres. Saratoga PLAN will steward these actively farmed properties in perpetuity, preserving open space, productive farm and forestland, and providing scenic enjoyment for all. These properties bring PLAN’s total of conserved lands in the county to about 4,985 acres.

405 Acres Conserved

Retired Farmer Donald Tooker generously donated a conservation easement to permanently protect 89 acres of productive farmland in the heart of the Town of Wilton. The farm is used for growing alfalfa for the Kings Ransom Dairy Farm and vegetables for the Vincek Farm. The views of open fields from busy roads, replenishment and cleansing of groundwater reserves, stormwater absorption, clean air, and climate moderation are a few of the other public benefits this protected farmland will continue to provide the community in years to come. Grants from Saratoga County and the Town of Wilton, combined with private donations, funded transaction costs so the easement donation could be accepted.

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With the help of many partners and funders, including the Local Farms Fund, American Farmland Trust, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Farmland Protection Program, and Saratoga County, PLAN purchased and extinguished the development rights to the 60 acres of farm and woodland of Featherbed Lane Farm while also protecting the farm’s affordability for future farmers.

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Saratoga PLAN completed its largest farmland conservation project to date. Four hundred sixty-four acres of the Barber Bros. Dairy Farm in the Town of Northumberland is now conserved in perpetuity. What began in 1939 as a small farm run by two brothers selling eggs and offering custom field work, Barber Bros. has developed into a successful 1,200-acre dairy farm, currently supporting a milking herd of 650 cows.

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Conservation Heroes are individuals or entities recognized for their extraordinary efforts related to conservation.

This year’s efforts ranged from dedicated volunteer service to permanently conserving farmland, woodland, wildlife habitat, or creating public access to outdoor spaces.

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Saratoga PLAN, in collaboration with Rick Burke and The Nature Conservancy, signed into agreement the Burke Forest Conservation Project. The conservation easement permanently conserved just over 80 acres of forest habitat in the Town of Saratoga, on what is locally known as Irish Hill.

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On Monday, November 23, 2020 Saratoga PLAN conserved the Drumm Farm, 170 acres of farmland in the Town of Saratoga. The land is now permanently protected from development and will forever be accessible for agricultural use. Partial funding for the project was provided by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Read More

Northumberland, NY – Saratoga PLAN has permanently protected the Bolesh Farm, 51 acres of open agricultural fields, woodlands, and vegetative buffer lining the Snook Kill in the Town of Northumberland. The conservation of this fertile land means it will be forever available for farming and is protected from conversion to non-farm uses. Read More

Saratoga PLAN completed two conservation easements with the Pott and VanVorsts families permanently protecting 126 acres of farmland in the Saratoga County Town of Ballston. Conservation of this fertile farmland means it will be forever available for farming and critical wildlife habitat for generations to come.

Both easements include and originally part of the Brookdale Farm, which originated circa 1835 by the McKnight family, a relative of the Potts by marriage four generations prior. Read More