Allison Schweizer

Saratoga Spa State Park, Park Naturalist
Moreau Lake State Park
Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park
Saratoga County Animal Shelter

Andy Fyfe

Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land & Nature), Stewardship and Education Coordinator
Green Mountain College, Environmental Studies Graduate Student

112 Spring Street, Suite 202
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518.587.5554 x4

As Stewardship and Education Coordinator for Saratoga P.L.A.N., my work involves managing all of the 3,000 + acres of land owned by Saratoga P.L.A.N., as well as designing, implementing and assessing educational and outreach programs to connect the community to these special places. 

I used to be afraid of children, and especially frightened by the thought of teaching and sort of class. My environmental work consisted of environmental activism, community organizing, and organizing a community garden. However, after my own intensive study of indigenous teaching models (in addition to studying ethnobotany, animal tracking, and wilderness skills), I decided to see if I could teach these things to children…and realized my calling in the process. I believe the survival of our species just may depend on teaching our children to respect and understand the natural world. Luckily, for me it is my favorite thing to teach and learn about. 

Anne Winter

Barbara L. Glaser Ed.D.

Saratoga Institute
Linell Lands
Nordlys Foundation
Sagamore Institute
Saratoga Foundation
Adirondack Nature Conservancy

I grew up playing in the fields around our home, visiting my grandfather’s farm, and exploring the shores and trails of Lake Superior in Minnesota.  I later directed a conference center in the Adirondacks for many years that included wilderness programs for teenagers and Grandparent/Grandchldren experiences in the Adirondacks.  For years I have worked in the field of land preservation I believe that the open spaces we preserve today are the places where children and families can continue to connect to the world of nature. This connection will be critical as we work to address the challenges of climate change, natural resource and wildlife conservation.

Beverly Lazar Davis

Clinical Social Worker
Youth and Family Services
Saratoga County Mental Health Center
Youth2- Youth Helping Youth, Advisory Council

I was touched deeply by Rachel Carson’s “ A Sense of Wonder”. Bringing children out under the stars at night, listening and finding the “night orchestra”, feeling the breeze in your hair, smelling the woods, having the “sky as your celing”.  It strikes me as ever so important to keep this sense of wonder of nature for our personal and global health. I have been a long-term advocate for children and their families; lessening “nature deficit disorder” is a very important goal.

Charolotte Justin

Saratoga Institute

Cindy Wian

Hudson Crossing Park, Project Manager

Ms. Wian is currently the Project Manager for Hudson Crossing Park, a new bi-county educational park on the Hudson River and Champlain Canal in Schuylerville, NY. She spent her childhood exploring the wild places around her home and believes all children deserve opportunities to explore the outdoors. Ms. Wian has taught elementary science as a Teach For America corps member in Houston, TX and served as Director of Education at the New England Aquarium in Boston. She has a B.A. from Cornell University and a M.Ed. from Boston University.

Cynthia Behan

Behan Design, LLC, WBE, Landscape Architect

Ethan Winter

Heather Ward

Wright Family Foundation, Executive Director
Charles R. Wood Foundation, Trustee
Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, Board President

I have always had an interest in connecting children with nature stemming from my own childhood.  Most of us grew up in a time when there were few other distractions for kids, and going outside was the thing to do.  These days, playing outdoors must compete with technology and busy schedules among other things.  I support the many initiatives Children and Nature Saratoga is working on and I hope to see this collaborative effort spread and inspire many generations to come!

Honorable Scott Johnson

Mayor, City of Saratoga Springs

474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

J. Eva Nagel, PhD

Union Center, Schenectady/Saratoga

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, one finds it is attached to the rest of the world”  - John Muir
Every day, every day, I must find some way to stay connected to the natural world: a breath of air filling my lungs, a moment to gaze in wonder at the full moon, leaning against a grandmother tree… without this how would I stay sane, where would i find peace? But now, especially now,  we must do it for the children, all the children.

James Bruchac

Ndakinna Education Center, Director
Greenfield Environmental Commission

15 Middle Grove Road
Greenfield Center, NY 12833

Jennifer Armstrong

Jennifer Tufano

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, Director of Operations

Jennifer Tufano is a rock climbing, hiking, camping, and skiing mother of two energetic girls who love the same. She, along with her ferociously-devoted, nature loving husband and kids, find their best memories are usually created outside. Since the entire Tufano family can be considered nature-junkies, you will most often NOT find us around whenever we get the chance - that is unless you’re in the trees, too.  And we’d love for you to join us!

Katherine Scharff

Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, Administrative Manager

http://www.waldorfsaratoga.org

Libby Smith-Holmes

Friends of the Kayaderosseras, Outreach and Education Coordinator
Dance Alliance, Board Member
Saratoga County Water Quality Coordinating Committee
Turning Point, Development, LLC
Saratoga Springs History Museum

Lynn Schumann

Margo Olson

Marie Glotzbach

Skidmore College

Mark Smitkin

Franklin Community Center
Wild Waters Outdoor Center
Saratoga Mountain Bike Association
Alpine Sport Shop
EMS
Wicked Smart Apparel

Mary Roberts

Maureen Sager

Saratoga Film Forum
Saratoga County Arts Council
Lake Avenue Elementary School Wellness Committee
Lake Avenue Elementary School Green Club

Sarah Clarkin

Executive Director, Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park
The Nature Conservancy
80 Scout Road, Gansevoort, NY 12831
(518)450-0321

http://www.wiltonpreserve.org 

The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve ecological systems and natural settings, while providing environmental education and recreational experiences.  Connecting children and nature in fun and educational ways is a big part of our work.  Whether it’s a snowshoe hike, a nature-based scavenger hunt, or an afternoon with Karner blue butterflies, filling children with the joy, wonder, and the importance of nature is at the heart.