irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $277KSTEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - PLAN PROVIDES LAND STEWARDSHIP FOR 7,560 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. 139 VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED TRAINING AND COORDINATION IN ORDER TO ASSIST WITH MANAGEMENT OF THE 12 NATURE PRESERVES WHICH ARE OPEN FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, HIKING, CONTEMPLATION, NATURE OBSERVATION, ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES, EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATIONAL EXPLORATIONS, AND ENJOYMENT BY ALL VISITORS. TO ENSURE THAT CONSERVATION VALUES ARE UPHELD IN PERPETUITY, PLAN'S STAFF MEMBERS MONITOR AND ENFORCE THE TERMS OF 58 CONSERVATION EASEMENT AGREEMENTS ON 5,267 ACRES IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE LAND OWNERS.
- #2 $256KEDUCATION 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 FORUMS. PLAN MAINTAINS 30 NATURE PRESERVES FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Countywide Trails Initiative
Supports development and coordination of over 200 miles of recreational and alternative-transportation trails across Saratoga County in partnership with local governments and trail user groups.
Education and Outreach
Provides community education through written communications, social media, presentations, field trips, internships, and public events to foster appreciation for Saratoga County’s landscape and promote conservation values.
Graphite Range Community Forest
Manages a 200+ acre community forest for public recreation, environmental education, and ecological protection in partnership with Saratoga County.
Stewardship Program
Manages over 7,000 acres of conserved lands, including nature preserves owned in fee title, lands protected by conservation easements, and properties managed for municipalities. Involves monitoring and enforcing conservation easements, ecological management, and maintaining public access trails.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 2 activities
- Acquire and permanently protect forests, farmland, and ecologically significant landsAcquires land and conservation easements to permanently protect forests, farmland, and wildlife habitats, including over 3,600 acres across 45 non-farm properties since 2003, a 444-acre wooded forestland in the Southern Adirondack Foothills, a 93-acre historic battlefield farm, and the 30-acre Snake Hill property on Saratoga Lake.
- Conserve farmland to support community economic and environmental healthWorks to conserve farmland in perpetuity to support the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the region, enabling intergenerational farm transfer and protecting productive agricultural lands through tailored conservation agreements.
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Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
- Develop and support recreational and alternative-transportation trail networksHas helped develop over 200 miles of recreational and alternative-transportation trails across Saratoga County through partnerships with municipalities, landowners, and volunteers. Includes designing trails based on community input, constructing multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and skiing, and maintaining trail infrastructure.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Educate and engage the public on landscape conservation and community well-beingConducts education and outreach programs to foster public understanding of the region’s landscape and its connection to quality of life, public health, and economic vitality, including a letterboxing program and recognition rewards for preserve exploration.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Engage volunteers and students in land conservation and stewardshipTrains and coordinates over 100 student interns, volunteers, and advisory committee members annually to support land conservation, trail maintenance, and public access to nature preserves.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Manage and maintain conserved lands and public nature preservesManages over 7,000 acres of conserved lands, including stewardship of 13 to 30 nature preserves with over 30 miles of publicly accessible trails for recreation, education, and ecological protection. Activities include trail construction, maintenance of bog bridges and drainage ditches, and protection of sensitive habitats through infrastructure like boardwalks and bridges.
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Local Land Conservation Advocacy 1 activity
- Provide land conservation planning and technical assistance to municipalities and landownersOffers comprehensive land conservation services including regional coordination in land use, open space, and trail planning; prepares grant applications; serves on local planning committees; and implements customized conservation projects to support community-level goals and landowner needs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.37M
Contributions & grants$2.17M92%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$93K4%
Other revenue$102K
expenses
Total expenses$2.03M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$701K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.28M
Cash$935K
Investments$4.13M
Liabilities$308K
Net assets$4.97M
Liquid reserves29.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -35.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROB DAVIES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $124K |
board members · 18
- BRENDAN DAILEY — BOARD MEMBER
- BRUCE KLION — BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLIE DAKE — TREASURER
- DAVID ROECKER — BOARD MEMBER
- DAWN SZUREK — BOARD MEMBER
- EMILY O'HALLORAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMES TOWNE JR ESQ — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNIFER KOVAL — SECRETARY
- JESSICA SCHWARTZMAN — VICE-CHAIR
- JOHN LEFNER — BOARD MEMBER
- KAREN TOTINO — BOARD MEMBER
- LARRY WOOLBRIGHT — BOARD MEMBER
- LESLIE BRENNAN — BOARD MEMBER
- LORRAINE SKIBO — BOARD MEMBER
- PETER OLMSTED — CHAIR
- RICHARD WISSLER — BOARD MEMBER
- SETH DUNN — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM HERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Adirondack Foothills Partner — Region where the Friendship Trails are planned, featuring wetlands, waterways, and diverse landscapes.
- American Trails Partner — Partner organization providing research on the mental health benefits of trails and natural areas.
- Countywide Trails Committee Coalition — Participates in a regional committee with trail user groups, town representatives, and county planners to advance the Saratoga County Green Infrastructure Plan’s regional trail network.
- GRCF Advisory Committee Partner — Community group collaborating with Saratoga PLAN on trail stewardship and forest management.
- Griffin Reserve Conservation Foundation Partner — Partner organization collaborating on trail development and conservation efforts, as indicated by logo presence.
- Guidestar Network — Displays Guidestar Transparency Seal on website.
- Junior Letterboxing Program Partner — Offers a youth-focused version of the letterboxing program to engage younger explorers.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Member of the national Land Trust Alliance, which provides training and support for land trusts across the U.S.
- New York State Government — Provided funding that enabled the acquisition of Snake Hill.
- One Percent for the Planet Network — Saratoga PLAN is a member of the One Percent for the Planet network, indicating a commitment to environmental giving.
- Saratoga County Government — Owns the Graphite Range Community Forest property, with Saratoga PLAN serving as designated land manager.
- Saratoga County Partner — Collaborates on land conservation, stewardship, and public access initiatives within Saratoga County.
- Saratoga County Partner — Partnered with Saratoga PLAN and the Town of Stillwater to permanently protect a 93-acre farm in the historic Saratoga battlefield viewshed.
- Saratoga County Planning Department Partner — Collaborates on trail data accuracy and planning; contact point for reporting trail inaccuracies.
- Stewart’s Shops Partner — Sold the Snake Hill property to Saratoga PLAN for conservation purposes.
- Town of Stillwater Partner — Partnered with Saratoga PLAN and Saratoga County to permanently protect a 93-acre farm in the historic Saratoga battlefield viewshed.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Based Conservation for Broader Ecological and Social Benefitsmethodology: community-based_conservationBy engaging communities in conservation efforts and designing conserved lands to deliver public benefits—such as health, recreation, and education—the organization amplifies environmental impact beyond ecological boundaries, because conservation is more sustainable and effective when it directly serves and involves local populations.
- Customized, Landowner-Centered Conservation Planningmethodology: customized-conservation-planningBy tailoring conservation strategies to individual landowners and parcels, the organization increases the feasibility and long-term success of farmland and forest preservation, because one-size-fits-all approaches fail to account for social, economic, and ecological variability across landscapes.
- Ecosystem Services as Core Conservation Outcomemethodology: ecosystem-servicesBy conserving forested and agricultural lands, the organization safeguards essential ecosystem services—including clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, and stormwater absorption—because these services are interdependent with human health and regional resilience, making them central to the justification and design of conservation efforts.
- Permanent Land Protection as Foundational Conservationmethodology: permanent_land_protectionBy permanently protecting land through conservation easements and stewardship, the organization ensures long-term preservation of natural resources, combats climate change, and maintains ecological integrity, because temporary or reversible measures are insufficient to guarantee enduring environmental outcomes.
- Volunteer-Driven Capacity Buildingmethodology: volunteer-driven_conservationBy leveraging a network of volunteers supported by a small professional staff, the organization extends its conservation reach and deepens community ownership, because local participation increases scalability and long-term stewardship commitment beyond what staffing and funding alone could achieve.