SARATOGA LIVINGThe City. The Culture. The Life.

Ahh, Saratoga, spring is finally in the air. It’s definitely time to get out, stretch those winter-stiff limbs and absorb a little sunshine. And what better way to do that than by celebrating Earth Day on April 22, and Earth Month, which is, well, all of April?

As expected, there’s plenty to do in Upstate for this year’s month of Earthly appreciation. “Celebrating Earth Day and Earth Month is an important opportunity to remind ourselves of our role as stewards of the planet,” says Bill Boehmke, Vice Chair of Sustainable Saratoga, a local not-for-profit that has a number of special events planned throughout April. Sustainable Saratoga promotes environmental education and sustainable practices in the Saratoga Springs area, which is rich in natural resources and a prime location for many outdoorsy activities. “One of our priorities is to provide individuals with the knowledge and tools to make our community a more sustainable place to live for current and future generations,” says Boehmke.

Speaking of which, Mother Nature is ready for her closeup. Here are six great events celebrating Earth Month in the Capital Region this year.

Saratoga Sustainability Fair

Where: Case Center at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs
When: Saturday, April 6, 10am-4pm

Going to the fair is always fun, and the Saratoga Sustainability Fair promises to be no exception. Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College have teamed up to host this inaugural fair, which will be a one-stop-shop for all things sustainability-related. Expect a total of 30 exhibitors and 19 workshops that cover a diverse range of topics and even an electric car show with five vehicles (including a Tesla!) and a test drive of a Mitsubishi Outlander. The keynote speaker will be Aaron Mair, environmentalist and the 57th National President of the Sierra Club.

Earth Day Celebration

Where: Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park
When: Monday, April 22, 8:30am-12pm

Wilton’s Earth Day Celebration offers a morning of healthy, family-friendly activities. Enjoy a 5k fitness run/walk or, for those seeking a slightly shorter jaunt, a one-mile family fitness walk at Camp Saratoga North. There will also be guided pond life explorations, nature displays, arts and crafts, healthy snacks as well as the opening of the six-story Cornell Hill Fire Tower.

3rd Annual 2019 Earth Day 5K and 10K Albany

Where: Albany
When: Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30

This one is a “virtual” 5K and 10K, which means that from April 22-30, runners can choose their own race route in Albany and then submit their times afterward. At least 15 percent of every registration will be donated to Wild Earth Allies, which helps protect wildlife habitats across the globe. All participants will also receive a gold medal in the mail—yes please!

Tree Toga 9

Where: Saratoga Springs
When: Saturday, April 27, starting at 9:30am

A free shade tree planted in your front yard sounds too good to be true, but that’s exactly what Sustainable Saratoga’s Tree Toga 9 offers to anyone with a residence in the Spa City. Started in 2014, Tree Toga 9 allows Saratogians to volunteer in a couple of creative ways, either by “hosting” a tree in their yard or by signing up to be a tree planter or tree waterer. Volunteers will meet at High Rock Park at 9:30am.

Saratoga Paddlefest and Outdoor Expo 2019

Where: Saratoga Paddlesports Shop at Fish Creek and 490 Broadway in Saratoga Springs
When: Saturday, April 27, 9am-6pm and Sunday, April 28, 10am-5pm

Though not officially an Earth Month event, Paddlefest is the single largest on-water canoe, kayak and outdoor gear and clothing sale in the Capital Region. More than 1000 boats from leading manufacturers will be on sale, many of which will be available to test paddle at Saratoga Paddlesports Shop’s Fish Creek location. Over the weekend there will also be many paddling experts giving free demonstrations and clinics to help paddlers of all skill levels improve their technique.

Science on Tap: How Climate Change is Transforming Our Mountain Environments Around the World

Where: The Parting Glass at 40 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs
When: Tuesday, April 30, 6:30pm

What better way to absorb talk of climate change than with a few brews? That’s what’s on the menu for this Earth Month edition of Science on Tap, a free monthly debate and interaction between scientists and residents of the Capital Region at a local pub or brewery. Made possible by Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College, this month’s talk will be led by Dr. Mathias Vuille, professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the University at Albany.

On April 6-7, members of the Saratoga community will join together with Whispering Angels of Saratoga Springs (WASS), a nonprofit foundation that raises crucial funds for LGBTQ issues and at-risk LGBTQ youth in Saratoga County, the Southern Adirondacks and the greater Capital Region, for its second annual Sleep Out event. The Sleep Out’s main mission is to raise awareness of the disproportionately large number of homeless youth that identify as LGBTQ in the US and the Capital Region and fund essential services for those at-risk and homeless youth.

According to WASS founder and LGBTQ-affirmative therapist Tas Steiner, despite the large number of LGBTQ youth who experience homelessness, there are only eight beds reserved for that specific demographic in all of the Capital Region’s homeless shelters. The lack of safe spaces, Steiner explains, further alienates kids seeking asylum after being kicked out of their homes, and creates problems such as finding transportation to school.

This year’s Sleep Out will be held in the backyard of a private Saratoga residence, and tents, bathrooms, dinner and breakfast will be provided. Saratoga Mayor Meg Kelly will be a guest speaker at the pre-Sleep Out rally and will also be sleeping out. The fundraising goal per sleeper is $250-$1000, and the overall goal of the event is to double the impact of last year’s Sleep Out—which raised $9000—with a special focus on buying LGBTQ beds for homeless shelters. To sign up to sleep out or for other ways of helping, click here.

Gaming isn’t always about being plugged in and tuned out. Sometimes, it’s a social and even charitable experience. Just ask Glens Falls couple Tori Trombley and Aaron Cordiale.

In 2017, Trombley and Cordiale started Joined by Gaming as a way to contribute to and get to know their community while having fun playing an array of old-school board games and modern video games. “I was craving an inviting, inclusive, open space where I could meet people and try different games,” says Trombley. “I figured I couldn’t be the only person looking for this and set out to create it myself.”

Trombley sat down with Cordiale (her fiancé), and together they made a list of gaming-related aspirations. Soon after, Joined by Gaming was born, holding pop-up gaming events throughout the Capital Region. Starting this year, the group began hosting regular game nights every other Thursday at Saratoga Coffee Traders and has frequently partnered with other local businesses such as the Freakopolis Geekery in Whitehall, the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls and Northshire Bookstore here in Saratoga Springs (where the group held a dual fundraising and gaming event earlier this month). Trombley says they’re always looking to connect with new businesses to develop new experiences. “One of my favorite game nights was probably Board Games and Brews at Common Roots Brewing Company. It was the first time we did something for adults only instead of the entire family, and everyone seemed to have a great time.” (Common Roots recently suffered a devastating structure fire that destroyed the majority of its building. No one was injured.)

Trombley and Cordiale have also been using Joined by Gaming to raise money for the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. Since 2017, they’ve raised around $2000 through Extra Life, an organization that unites gamers around the globe to play games in support of local children’s’ hospitals. “Gamers from all around the area fundraise year round to help local children get the care they need, and we’re so honored to be a part of that community,” says Trombley. In total, local gamers have donated $120,000 to the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital.

Over the last two years, Joined by Gaming has raised money through raffles and its annual 24-hour gaming marathon in early November. Trombley says they have another event in the works for this summer at Freakopolis Geekery—an all-role-playing games fundraiser (Dungeons & Dragons fans get ready) with various raffles and giveaways. But you don’t have to be a skilled gamer to enjoy Joined by Gamings’ events: Trombley and Cordiale encourage gamers of all skill levels and ages to come out, even beginners. “I try to have a variety of different options so there’s a style available to suit everyone’s needs,” says Trombley. “If a game interests someone but they don’t know how to play, Aaron or myself can teach them.”

As for the couple’s wedding, which is slated for September, Trombley confirms there will be board games aplenty for her wedding guests. That, however, will be a private gaming event.