A Reflection on Local Environmentalism
[From the Fall 2023 Showcase of Homes Magazine]
Written by Carol Godette | Photos provided (Unless Noted)
"In our human way, we talk about saving the earth. Earth is going to be just fine, with or without us. Our challenge now is to save ourselves," explained environmental activist turned composer John Luther Adams before his work "Vespers of the Blessed Earth," which held its SPAC debut this August 12.
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs "Vespers of the Blessed Earth," composed by environmental activist, John Luther Adams. These group events - by local volunteers - were created in response to the environmental needs of our community.
SPAC Photos by Francesco D’Amico, Ironglass Productions
SPAC President & CEO Elizabeth Sobol's opening remarks described the unique program as a "call to action, illuminating the devastation of climate change." She added, "Tonight, we journey from despair to possibility."
Sadness swept the audience as the chorus recited a litany of 193 endangered plant and animal species in the piece's fourth movement.
Before the evening began, Christopher Shiley, VP of artistic planning, cautioned me of the somber program, but also alluded to a ray of hope.
Representatives from ten local nonprofit environmental groups gathered under the Julie Bonacio Pavilion:
• NYS Parks and Historic Preservation (1970)
• Spa City Farmers Market (1978)
• Wilton Wildlife Preserve (1980s)
• Southern Adirondack Audubon Society (1984)
• Agricultural Stewardship (1990)
• Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (1992)
• Saratoga Plan (2003)
• Sustainable Saratoga (2008)
• Pitney Meadows Community Farm (2016)
• SoBro Conservancy of Saratoga (2021)
Their efforts inspired and challenged me to reflect on and research our community's response to environmental issues and climate change.
Little did I know in the early 1960s, as I amused myself with Barbies and a plastic Etch-a-Sketch, that the second wave of environmentalism, the Recreation phase, was in full swing in Saratoga. I was unaware of the formation of these early environmental organizations in our fair city.
My perspective shifted when I stumbled upon three Skidmore students' capstone senior project for Bob Turner's 2013 Environmental Studies class. In their paper, "The Times They Are A-Changin'- Shifting Environmentalism in Saratoga Springs, New York," I realized how early local efforts in environmentalism began.
The first wave, the Preservation phase, began in 1900 when Yaddo Gardens and the Saratoga National Battlefield were established as public educational spaces.
The paper didn't mention the "springs" we are known for worldwide.
This era was also known for Spencer Trask's efforts to preserve our valuable waters, highlighted in our city's 2020 Natural Resources Inventory:
9.3A Pre-History
Several historic actions must be noted at the beginning of any history of open space conservation in Saratoga Springs.
Due to concern about the exploitation of local mineral springs and depletion of the water table, a local Committee of Concerned Citizens successfully lobbied the New York State Legislature for the preservation the mineral springs beginning in the early 1900s. In 1908, the New York State Legislation passed the Anti-Pumping Act of the mineral springs. The gas companies challenged this Act in the courts and continued pumping as the litigation proceeded. The Committee of Concerned Citizens, led by Spencer Trask, pleaded with the Legislature to bring all the springs under State control to ensure their survival. They were successful and as a result, the Saratoga Spa Reservation was established in May 1909 through the Brackett-Whitney Act. By 1915, four parks had been created in Saratoga Springs from state acquisitions including Congress Park, High Rock Park, and Lincoln and Geyser Park (both now within the Saratoga Spa State Park). New York State also received ownership of 163 springs and wells (SEQR Findings Statement, Saratoga Spa State Park Master Plan, 2010). They capped all but 19 of the springs and allowed free, public access to the remaining mineral and freshwater springs (Davis and Davis, 1997). The State’s creation of the Spa Reservation (later the Saratoga Spa State Park) conserving prime real estate on the edge of the historic village has left an indelible imprint on open space planning.
Yaddo Gardens entrance.
The Yaddo Garden Association was formed in 1900.
From 1915-1965, the Recreation phase was described as "an era that nature was able to be enjoyed as another consumer good and not simply for aesthetic values."
The third phase, Conservation and Responses to Development (1965-1990), was "a time for a surge in citizen advocacy." Many grassroots groups, such as the Open Space Project, began. We are still in the 4th wave, identified by the students as Sustainability and Political Activism, which started in 1990. Many of the groups at the August 12th SPAC event began after 1990.
The concert also provided a rich discussion among those attending.
Audience member Mitch Cohen commented, "I realized individual actions are important."
Fortunately, many local individuals agree. Countless residents such as Barbara Glaser, whose list of contributions to local environmental causes is the size of a New York City phonebook, model and encourage the rest of us to do our part to protect our earth and ourselves.
Likewise, journalist and former Saratogian Jeff Goodell is "calling us to action" with his new bestselling nonfiction book, "The Heat Will Kill You First." His description of Saratoga assured me that we are better off than most. He writes, "For twenty years, I lived in upstate New York, which is one of the best places to live in America if you take climate change seriously. It's not too hot in the summer, there is plenty of farmland and water, it's far from the rising seas, it has a politically engaged local population, easy access to the Adirondacks, a strong arts culture, and decent transportation, including one of the great train rides in America down the Hudson to New York City." However, this is not a book that sugarcoats our current climate situation. Many recent news events dovetail with his dire predictions.
Our local efforts that began at the turn of the 20th century will hopefully continue to accelerate. In the meantime, I am grateful for SPAC's recent event and the now historical events highlighted on the next page in the Skidmore project appendix.
(pictured above) Former Saratogian Jeff Goodell calls us to climate action with his recently published bestseller, “The Heat Will Kill You First.”
Author's Note:
Thanks to SPAC, Former Skidmore students Riley Johnson, Gabriella Stern, Sarah Risley, Professor Bob Turner, Tom Denny, and Jeff Goodell
Appendix C: Environmental Events in Saratoga Springs
1900 • Yaddo Garden Association formed
1916 • Saratoga Battlefield National Historical Park
1946 • SaraSpa Rod and Gun Club
1957 • Saratoga Lake Sailing Club formed
1964 • Saratoga Lake Association formed
1977 • Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation formed
1978 • Saratoga Farmers Market formed
1981 • Waldorf School Forest Kindergarten Program created
1980 • American Farmland Trust formed
1986, July • Proposal for exit 14 development project “Saratoga East”
1987 • Open Space Project organization formed
by Barbara Glaser to protect Saratoga’s land
1991 • Environmental Action Club formed
1993 • Land Trust Alliance formed
1996 • Kayaderosseras Fish and Game Club formed
1999 • Hudson Crossing Park formed
2000 • Saratoga Mountain Bike Association (SMBA) formed
2001 • Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park
2003, July • Saratoga P.L.A.N. established
2004, Mar. • Friends of the Kayaderosseras formed
2005 • Bikeatoga (formerly SHTN) formed
2008, Sept. • Lake Ave Garden Project
2008, Nov. • Sustainable Saratoga founded by Joanne Yepsen and Julie Stokes
2009, Oct. • Cool Cities Committee formed at Skidmore
2009, Oct. 24 • Mayor Johnson signs U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
2011, Mar. • Saratoga joins Cleaner Greener Communities Program
2012, Mar. 2 • Complete Streets Policy passed
2012, JUNE • Shared Access Advisory Board established
2012, Mar. 23 • City Council adopts Climate Smart Communities Pledge
2012, May • Saratoga’s first “Green Street” created
2013, JAN. • Saratoga Springs awarded Safe Routes to School Grant for Geyser Elementary
2013, JAN. • Urban Forestry Project complete
2013, Feb. • Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Saratoga complete
2013, Mar. • Anti-idling Ordinance passed
2013, May • EAC’s Critical Mass ride