Discover the vibrant world of Sustainable Saratoga’s committees, each dedicated to a unique aspect of community sustainability: Zero Waste, Urban Forestry, Land Use, Climate and Energy, and Pollinators. Whatever your passion, you’ll find a place to make a difference.
Let’s get to know the Pollinator and Native Plant Committee
by Dianna Goodwin, a founding member of the Committee
The Pollinator and Native Plant Committee is Sustainable Saratoga’s newest committee. Started at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2021, the committee is heading into its 4th growing season. You might know us through the No Mow May signs you see scattered around town this time of year.
Our signature event is our annual native plant sale, Pollinator Palooza, held this year on Saturday, June 1, from 10 to 3. We sell indigenous flowering plants that act as adult and/or larval food sources for our native bees, butterflies, beetles and birds. Our committee members pot up the plants and grow them out for two months before we offer them for sale at the Palooza. Many other organizations like Saratoga Plan, Capital Region Wild Ones, and the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society have informational tables at the Palooza. Come and browse the offerings, listen to music from the Saratoga Springs High School fiddlers, and take home new, hard-to-find native plants for your garden.
Pollinator Palooza attendees shop for native plants and learn about protecting pollinators and their habitat
We also engage in community education, outreach and advocacy. We have a pollinator garden at the Children’s Museum at the Lincoln Baths, are planning a Hellstrip Heroes program and a Leave the Leaves campaign. We are trying to protect and promote biodiversity, encourage rewilding and native landscaping, and teach sustainable gardening practices. You can get more information and read some of our past gardening posts on Sustainable Saratoga’s pollinator web page HERE.
If you are a gardener or a wildlife enthusiast, come join us. We are always looking for new volunteers and new projects. You can reach out to us at pollinators@
