POSITIVE IMPACT
Next Generation Committee helping Saratoga PLAN carry out its mission
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » A group of young conservationists are on the path to serve as the next generation of stewards for Saratoga County.
Local nonprofit organization Saratoga PLAN, which is responsible for conserving about 7,000 acres of land to date, recently created a Next Generation Committee.
Themission of Saratoga PLAN is to preserve the rural character, natural habitats, and scenic beauty of Saratoga County so that these irreplaceable assets are accessible to all and survive for future generations.
The Next Generation Committee invites people intheir 20s and 30s tohelp impact conservation in
Saratoga County by helping Saratoga PLAN carry out its mission.
With this newly formed committee, the next generation is getting actively involved in the efforts of Saratoga PLAN.
The Next Generation Committee was created so that young professionals, who may not yet be able to contribute financially to philanthropic initiatives, could contribute to conservation in Saratoga County.
The committee has been doing this through organized hikes to visit local preserves and trail work.
The latest project involved cleaning trash along the historic Saratoga Siege Trail, which was established with the help of Saratoga PLAN, in the Village of Victory.
“This up- and- coming
group of young professionals has a lot of potential,” said Saratoga PLAN’s Community Engagement Manager Alexandra Fylypovych, noting the group’s initiative in taking on stewardship projects. “By organizing trail projects, the committee is not only learning more about Saratoga PLAN but is more importantly positively impacting their local communities.”
Among this young committee’s founding members are co-chairs Brendan Dailey and Isabelle Trabka.
“I love and care about the environment that I grew up and live in,” Dailey said on why he decided to get involved with the Next Generation Committee. “Saratoga County as we know has been one of the fastestgrowing counties in the Northeast over the past two decades.
“This is great in many ways, but it provides a unique challenge and opportunity for young people in the Saratoga County community. It requires us to take part in preserving the natural beauty and character of our local environment and the Saratoga PLAN Next Generation Committee does just that.”
So far, Dailey said he’s thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the committee. “I’ve for one, met new people, which in the era of COVID-19 is more special as we are all isolated to a certain degree,” he said. “I also think it’s provided me with valuable learning experiences in terms of community engagement.”
Projects like the Siege Trail clean-up provide members like Dailey a sense of accomplishment, and he hopes others will consider joining the committee to share this experience in future.
“The goal for the future is to attract more likeminded individuals to participate in the stewardship and outdoor activities,” Trabka added, “and draw attention to the overall mission of Saratoga PLAN.”