SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – As the Capital Region bursts into bloom, Sustainable Saratoga invites the community to give back to the bees, butterflies, and birds that keep our ecosystem humming. The annual Pollinator Palooza Native Plant Sale returns on Saturday, May 30, 2026, offering gardeners of all skill levels the chance to bring home locally-grown treasures that do more than just look beautiful.

From 10 am to 3 pm at Oligny’s Country Gardens in Gansevoort, the greenhouse will be overflowing with over 30 varieties of native perennials—from the vibrant Cardinal Flower to the whimsically named Obedient Plant. Each plant has been lovingly raised by Sustainable Saratoga volunteers specifically for their hardiness in local conditions and their ability to provide vital habitat for native pollinators. 

“Your yard has an important role to play in protecting the natural world,” says Dianna Goodwin, Chair of the Pollinator and Native Plant committee. “Pollinator Palooza is about more than just buying flowers; it’s about meeting neighbors, learning from experts, and taking a small but powerful step toward a more sustainable future.”

A Family-Friendly Celebration of Nature: Pollinator Palooza is a full day of community and conservation, featuring:

• The Main Event: Over 30 varieties of native plants for sale at just $10 per 2-quart pot (cash or check preferred).
• Expert Advice: Meet with Master Gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension and representatives from local conservation groups like the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society and Wild Ones.
• Free Soil Testing: Bring about 1/4 cup of dry soil for free pH testing by Cornell Cooperative Extension to ensure your new plants thrive.
• Kids’ Activities: Engaging ways for the next generation of environmental stewards to learn about the magic of pollinators.
• Food for sale by The Galway Local
• Give the gift of a green thumb! Pollinator Palooza E-Gift Cards are now available online, perfect for as a gift or a treat for yourself.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10 am – 3 pm (Rain Date: May 31)
• Where: Oligny’s Country Gardens, 390 Wilton Gansevoort Road, Gansevoort, NY
• Parking: Across the street at 393 Wilton-Gansevoort Road.
• Pro-Tip: Bring your own wagon for easy shopping! Please note that while we love animals, this is a “no pets” event.

Whether you have a sprawling meadow or a single sunny porch pot, come find the perfect native plant to help our local pollinators flourish. For a full downloadable plant list and more information, visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/pollinators-and-native-plants/pollinator-palooza-native-plant-sale/

ABOUT SUSTAINABLE SARATOGA

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.

 

PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 9/18/25

Sustainable Saratoga to Host Fourth Annual Paint Collection Day on Saturday, October 4th, 2025

Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org

Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga in partnership with GreenSheen will hold our 4th annual Paint Collection Day on Saturday, October 4th, from 9am – 1pm. This very popular community event will be held once again at the Saratoga Springs High School.

What: Paint Collection Day
When: Saturday, October 4th, from 9am – 1pm
Where: Saratoga Springs High School Parking Lot, 1 Blue Streak Blvd, Saratoga Springs, NY (entry from West Ave only)
Who: Anyone! There are no residency requirements for this event
Cost: Free, with donations to Sustainable Saratoga greatly appreciated
How to register: click this following link to pre-register and reserve your spot: https://circular.eco/event/SS10425

GreenSheen will collect and recycle the following items at this event:

• Interior and exterior architectural paints: Latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-
  based, enamel
• Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric)
• Primers sealers, undercoaters
• Stains
• Shellacs, sealers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)
• Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellants (not tar orbitumen-based)
• Metal coatings, rust preventatives
• Field and lawn paints

Items not accepted include aerosols, paint thinners, cleaning agents, driveway sealer, caulking compounds, glues & adhesives, roof patch, craft paint, auto & marine paint or hazardous waste. Containers cannot be empty or leaking and must contain the original manufacturer’s label.

“We continue to be excited about our partnership with GreenSheen and the safe, effective removal of paint from the waste stream. This event provides s valuable service to our community, and we expect a great turnout like previous years” explains Kelsey Trudell, Sustainable Saratoga’s Executive Director.

For specific details about the event and what will be collected, please visit: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/paint-collection-day/

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ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.

PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 8/28/25

Sustainable Saratoga and Hudson Valley Community College North Host Going Electric: The EV Car Show, on Saturday, September 13th, 2025

Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org

Saratoga Springs, NY – Interested in going electric? Explore the future of transportation at Going Electric: The EV Car Show, hosted by Sustainable Saratoga and Hudson Valley Community College North.

EV Car Show details

• Date/time: Saturday September 13th from 10am-2pm
• Location: TEC-SMART at HVCC North, 345 Hermes Road in Malta

Whether you’re an EV owner, enthusiast or just curious about sustainable technology, this FREE event has something for all.

• A wide variety of EV cars on display
• Informational tables staffed by EV industry vendors
• Guided tours of the LEED-certified HVCC North building
• Resources on sustainability, clean energy, and more

David Washburn, Chair of the Climate & Energy Committee at Sustainable Saratoga, says, “We’re excited to partner with HVCC North on this first-ever EV Car Show event. In the past, the EV Car Show was part of our Sustainability Fair in April, but advancements in technology and community interest have warranted this becoming its own event. And our partnership with HVCC North at their Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies (TEC-SMART) is a natural fit.”

“By showcasing electric vehicles and clean technologies at the EV Car Show, we’re empowering our students and community to envision a greener future,” said Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Michael Brophy. “As the EV industry grows and the need for technicians continues to rise, Hudson Valley is proud to offer Electric and Autonomous Vehicles degree and certificate programs that prepare our students with the skills needed to diagnose and repair electric and hybrid vehicles. We highly value our partnership with Sustainable Saratoga and are thrilled to host this event together at HVCC North – Hudson Valley’s branch campus.”

This local event coincides with National Drive Electric Month, a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. For more information, visit: https://driveelectricmonth.org

Local EV owners are invited to sign up to show their own cars at the show. To register and sign up, visit: https://forms.gle/66BNz9fE9d3DEDALA

For more information on the EV Car Show, and to register for the event, visit: https://www.hvcc.edu/events/2025/09/ev-car-show-at-hvcc-north.html

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ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

About Hudson Valley Community College:

Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College is the largest community college in upstate New York and offers more than 85 degree and certificate programs in three schools: Business and Liberal Arts; Health Sciences; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); and also administers the Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training at no cost to those who qualify. One of 30 community colleges in the SUNY system, Hudson Valley enrolls more than 20,000 students in credit and non-credit courses and is a recognized leader in distance learning and workforce development. The college has more than 90,000 alumni. To learn more, please visit www.hvcc.edu.

About Sustainable Saratoga:

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.

Tree Toga 2025 Volunteers Plant 40 Trees

By Caroline Rothaug, Sustainable Saratoga Programs Manager and Chair of the Urban Forestry Project

What’s your favorite way to celebrate Arbor Day?

Mine is spending a morning at Tree Toga. Where else can you meet great people, learn a useful skill, sing a song that will stick with you for way too long, and go home covered with mud? Oh, and do something great for the environment, wildlife, and your fellow humans by planting trees.

On April 26th, over 180 volunteers did just that. Individuals, families, friend groups and work colleagues gathered at Pitney Meadows Community Farm and learned how to plant a tree. Then, we went out and planted 40 trees along streets and in front yards all over Saratoga Springs.

Our incredible Tree Hosts gave the trees homes, and agreed to water them during the critical first seasons of growth. How do you get to be a Tree Toga Tree Host? Property owners in the city of Saratoga Springs can request a tree on our website, or just say YES when we knock on your door.

Some very special people put their hearts and souls into making this joyful community event happen every year: the Sustainable Saratoga Urban Forestry Project committee. Libby Brennesholtz, Margarita DeFedericis, Tom Denny, Rick Fenton, Bethany Khan, Kate Maynard, Tom McNamara, Alexandra Morgan, and Lin Whittle work tirelessly throughout the year to recruit Tree Hosts, figure out exactly where to plant the trees, and plan what’s going to happen on the day. Except the weather. Trees love the rain, but tree planters might prefer it a bit dryer next year.

Tree Toga wouldn’t be the same without our partners

The City of Saratoga Springs, particularly the Department of Public Works, provides support and half of the funding for the trees. The other half of the funding comes from generous community donations to Sustainable Saratoga. We really appreciated Mayor John Safford, Commissioner Chuck Marshall and Deputy Tad Roemer rolling up their sleeves and helping out during the event.

Pitney Meadows Community Farm has been the ideal setting for our pre-planting gathering for the past four years.  Executive Director Brooke McConnell and her team are the perfect hosts.

Local businesses that helped make the day: Bread Basket Bakery provides refreshments for our volunteers, and Allerdice Hardware provides the stakes that stabilize our trees.

Finally, we are beyond grateful to this year’s Tree Toga financial sponsors: Rockefeller Capital Management, who also sends a team of volunteers to plant with us every year, and Stewart’s Shops.

PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 5/15/25

Sustainable Saratoga Hosts Pollinator Palooza Native Plant Sale Event on Saturday, May 31st, 2025

Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org

Saratoga Springs, NY – Pollinator Palooza is Back! Join Sustainable Saratoga on Saturday, May 31st from 10am-3pm to buy native plants and meet people dedicated to protecting our precious pollinators, their habitat, and other natural resources.

Pollinator Palooza offers a wonderful array of native flowering perennials that attract pollinators as sources of nutrition, and homeowners will love the colors, fragrances, and beauty these natives bring to yards and gardens. Sustainable Saratoga volunteers have been growing 1,600 plants for the last 2 months and they are ready for their new homes.

Dianna Goodwin, Pollinator Committee chair for Sustainable Saratoga says, “Every garden, no matter how small, has an important role to play in protecting pollinators. Planting native plants is an essential part of creating food and habitat for our native pollinators. However, finding native plants can often be a challenge. The Pollinator Palooza native plant sale offers a variety of plants to gardeners in the local area.”

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Saturday, May 31st, 10am-3pm
• Where: Oligny’s Country Gardens, 390 Wilton-Gansevoort Rd, Gansevoort
• Parking: Across the street at 393 Wilton-Gansevoort Rd.
• Pet policy: While we love our four-legged friends, we kindly ask that you leave your pups at home. No pets at the event, please.
• Payment by cash or check preferred

This family-friendly event includes

• Over 30 varieties of native plants for sale
• Information about native plants and pollinators
• Free soil pH testing by Cornell Cooperative Extension (bring about 1/4 cup of dry soil)
• Help with your gardening questions
• Local organizations focused on native plants and ecosystems
• Kids’ activities
• Raffles to win books, gift certificates, plants, and more
• Food Trucks

New this year, give the gift of native plants to someone you love by buying a Pollinator Palooza e-gift card prior to the event. Electronic gift cards are now available on the Sustainable Saratoga website for purchase. Good for purchase of plants in the Sustainable Saratoga greenhouse or for raffle tickets. BUY YOURS HERE.

For more information on the Pollinator Palooza native plan sale, visit:

https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/pollinators-and-native-plants/pollinator-palooza-native-plant-sale/

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ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the
protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current
and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a
leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do
to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.

PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 4/1/25

Sustainable Saratoga Celebrates Earth Month in April

Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org

Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga is celebrating Earth Month this April with several events designed to engage the local community and advance sustainable practices throughout the Capital Region.  

On Saturday, April 5th, Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College’s Sustainability Office are partnering to host the Saratoga Sustainability Fair from 10am-2pm at a new location – The Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences at Skidmore College. This FREE family-friendly event will allow attendees to explore the latest in eco-friendly topics and innovations and gives kids the opportunity to dive into fun and learning all day. This year’s theme is, “Connecting Ideas, Building Futures: Collaboration for a Sustainable Community!”

Sunday, April 13th from 1-4pm, Sustainable Saratoga is hosting a Cornhole Tournament fundraising event at the Saratoga Winery. Grab a cornhole partner and join us for an afternoon of fun with the whole family. Sign-up at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainable-saratoga-cornhole-tournament-fundraiser-tickets-1208637791169?aff=oddtdtcreator

On Saturday, April 26th, Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry team will hold its 14th  TREE TOGA planting event, adding 40 large-growing shade trees to Saratoga’s urban forest. Volunteer Tree Planters will check in at Pitney Meadows Community Farm  between 9 – 9:30 AM to get a lesson in tree planting before heading off in small teams to their assigned locations across the city. Once the trees are in the ground, Tree Host homeowners and other volunteers provide the care that is critical to tree growth and survival. This is a fun, family-friendly volunteer event, open to everyone in the capital region. Sign up at: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/urban-forestry-project/tree-toga/

On Wednesday, April 30th, Sustainable Saratoga and the Environmental Studies and Sciences Department at Skidmore College are partnering to host a Science on Tap event at Common Roots Brewing Company in South Glens Falls. Science On Tap is a monthly series of informal talks led by scientists that explore current research topics and the importance of science in our daily life. April’s topic title is: Tiny Bug, Big Problem – Ticks and the Diseases They Carry, led by Holly Ahern, award-winning Biology Professor at SUNY Adirondack. Admission is free and the talk begins promptly at 7pm.

While Sustainable Saratoga is active year-round, events held in April during Earth Month help garner additional community involvement while sustainable practices are top-of-mind for residents. “Our staff and volunteers are incredibly talented and committed,” said Amy Durland, Board Chair for Sustainable Saratoga. “The citizens in the Saratoga area have been so responsive to our wide-ranging efforts, which is very gratifying!”  

For more information and to get involved in these community events, visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org/

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area.  Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.