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 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 3/3/24

Sustainable Saratoga CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS for 10th year of TREE TOGA event on Saturday, April 27 

Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org

Saratoga Springs, NY – On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project will hold its 10th year of TREE TOGA planting event, adding an expected 35 large-growing shade trees to the urban forest.  

Volunteer Tree Planters are needed to help plant trees in the community. Volunteers will check in at Pitney Meadows Community Farm at 9:30 AM on April 27 and 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 survival and the success of Sustainable Saratoga’s mission to preserve and expand Saratoga’s urban forest. 

“Tree Toga is a true labor of love,” said Sustainable Saratoga Urban Forestry Project Chair Caroline Rothaug.  “We appreciate each and every volunteer who helps put small trees in the ground now so that future generations can enjoy tall, strong trees later. We are especially grateful to have the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works and Pitney Meadows Community Farm as our partners. This April’s Tree Toga will bring the total number of trees planted in the past 10 years to over 400.”

To get involved in this family-friendly community event, sign up at https://sustainablesaratoga.org/tree-toga/ 

Why plant trees? In addition to providing long lasting beauty, research shows that urban trees enhance retail and restaurant profitability, increase property values, save energy, improve air quality, reduce water pollution, enhance our mental and physical health, and provide wildlife habitat.

Spring is a great time to plant your own tree.  If you can’t join TREE TOGA in person, join in spirit by planting a tree in your own yard and sharing a picture on social media with the tag #NextGenTree. Sustainable Saratoga recommends planting a variety of trees native to our local area, as well as a few from the wider region that are adapted to our soils and climate and provide food and shelter for a variety of insects and wildlife. You can find a wealth of practical information on choosing, buying, planting and caring for trees at:  https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/urban-forestry-project/practical-info-for-tree-planting-care/. 

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.