Saratoga PLAN for the Future Fundraiser Recognizes Conservation Heroes

Saratoga PLAN hosted its primary annual fundraising event, PLAN for the future, at Saratoga Winery last week. Proceeds from this event will help fund PLAN’s mission to steward and protect the farms, forests, and waters of Saratoga and southern Adirondack foothills – now and forever. 

The non-profit formed in July 2003 through a merger of the Saratoga Springs Open Space Project and the Land Trust of the Saratoga Region. PLAN has protected nearly eight percent of agricultural lands in Saratoga County to date.

During the event, PLAN recognized their 2026 conservation champion, Maria Trabka, who served as executive director or PLAN from 2008 to 2022. Under her leadership, PLAN conserved more than 10,000 acres, established 12 nature preserves, and helped create more than 200 miles of trails throughout Saratoga County. 

PLAN’s volunteer of the year was awarded to Alex Milton for his dedication as a stewardship volunteer of the Glowegee Creek Trails South in Galway. 

The 2026 conservation heroes were Rick Higgins who conserved 20 acres in the Town of Greenfield which will become the future northern gateway to the Graphite Range Community Forest; Katie Ogden & Matthew Harris who conserved 41 acres of farmland in the Town of Stillwater; and Joanne and Thomas Klepetar who conserved 444 acres in the Southern Adirondack Foothills

The Klepetars purchased their first parcel in 1988 to enjoy hiking and cross-country skiing with their four children. The family continued to buy land around their property and eventually accumulated 444 acres. The Klepetars never had intentions to develop their land, and now they safeguarded a wildlife corridor to the Adirondack mountain range while also passing the land down to their children. 

“We live in one of the most beautiful and innovative areas in the county,” said Adrian Appleman, the Co-chair of the Next Generation Committee of Saratoga PLAN. “I think about how important it is for organizations like Saratoga PLAN to exist so that we can continue to grow our region thoughtfully, while preserving the bountiful natural resources around us. I believe Saratoga and the surrounding area can and should be a case study for how this can and should be done.”

A map of public trails preserved and open to the public year-round by Saratoga PLAN can be found on their website at, saratogaplan.org/explore-parks-and-trails.