Saratoga Plan tells county committee conserved lands bolster flood resilience, local economy

Rob Davies, executive director of the land trust Saratoga Plan, and Tory, a conservation staff member, presented to the Trails and Open Space Committee on Feb. 3 about the organization's recent work protecting and stewarding farmland, forest and community preserves in Saratoga County.

Davies described the land trust's two principal conservation tools: conservation easements, which record restrictions at the county clerk's office while leaving land in private ownership, and fee acquisitions, where the organization acquires full title and manages public preserves. "Saratoga Plan is not anti development. We... just want smart growth," Davies said, framing conservation as compatible with responsible local growth.

Presenters highlighted recent acquisitions and stewardship work the land trust completed with county support: they reported holding 59 conservation easements covering about 5,830 acres, 26 fee‑title properties totaling 2,313 acres (13 of which are open to the public), and volunteer contributions of about 3,000 hours last year for trail building, invasive‑species work and monitoring. Saratoga Plan noted recent protected parcels including a 444‑acre property in the Palmertown Range and the Curtis Preserve, which opened after a completed management plan.

Saratoga Plan described efforts to expand the Graphite Range Community Forest via a nearby "Northern Gateway" acquisition and to partner on parking and trail connections with local towns. The presenters said they are updating management plans on public preserves and engaging communities this spring in planning and stewardship for new access opportunities.

What happens next: Saratoga Plan indicated it will host community engagement for Northern Gateway and continue coordination with the county on stewardship and volunteer programs. The committee thanked the presenters and invited other speakers, including the Countywide Trails Committee chair, to speak at future meetings.