Saratoga P.L.A.N. launches kids 'passport program' | Environment

Saratoga P.L.A.N. will try and encourage county kids to spend their Spring Breaks outside with the introduction of their new "Nature Preserve Passport" program which will launch April 18 through 22.

Through partnerships with local scout troops, schools, and home-school groups, P.L.A.N. is providing pocket-sized passports to children throughout the county. The "Preserve Passports" include descriptions, driving directions, and an area for children to stamp as they visit each preserve.

The stamps are located at each preserve in hidden “letterboxes” and can be located by following posted clues at each preserve. Once a child completes 5 out of 8 stamps, they will receive a Saratoga P.L.A.N. T-shirt in recognition of their accomplishment. College interns and the Nature’s 4H’ers Club created the clues leading to the letterboxes in which the rubber stamps for the passports are hidden.

Following the clues is like a treasure hunt; passport seekers will need to be keen observers of nature to find the letterboxes. Clues for each site can be downloaded from Saratoga P.L.A.N.’s website:  www.saratogaplan.org.

“Saratoga P.L.A.N. currently operates eight public preserves in every corner of Saratoga County with two more slotted to open soon,” said Maria Trabka, Executive Director for P.L.A.N. “This program will give families an incentive to spend time together outdoors and reconnect with nature – all within a short drive of their homes.”

Saratoga P.L.A.N.’s eight public nature preserves include:

•Ballston Creek Preserve, 409 East Line Road in Ballston
•Bog Meandow Trail, Route 29 in Saratoga Springs
•Kayaderosseras Creek Preserve, West Milton Road in Milton
•Lake Lonely Trail, 458 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs
•Levine Preserve, Centerline Road in Providence
•Dr. Orra Phelps Preserve, Parkhurst Road in Wilton
•Tanner Road (Woodcock) Preserve, Tanner Road in Clifton Park
•Galway Preserve, 2519 Crane Road in Galway

In addition, trails are currently being constructed on the new Coldbrook Preserve in Northumberland and the Hennig Preserve in Providence. Both locations are anticipated to open to the public this summer. Descriptions and maps of all properties are available on the organization’s website at www.saratogaplan.org.

The Saratoga P.L.A.N. Nature Preserve Passport program is funded by Anthony and Nicholas Mitola, a grant from the Nordlys Foundation and by Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation. 

For more information on participating in the program, please contact Saratoga P.L.A.N. at 518-587-5554.