Barbara Linell Glaser, Ed.D.
Having grown up surrounded by the natural landscapes of Minnesota, Barbara Glaser holds a special place in her heart for the great outdoors. Barbara made her way to our region via the Adirondack Mountains where, for many years, she served as the director of the historic Great Camp Sagamore. In that role, she welcomed people of all ages to explore the outdoors as visitors, program participants, staff, and interns. In the years that have followed, Barbara has been active on boards throughout upstate New York, championing conservation, preservation, farmland protection, and cultural engagement.
We are lucky to claim Barbara as a Capital Region resident. Her generosity and commitment to the health of our region’s natural resources has served as a model for sustainability. “We need to be connected to the places that grow our food, understand the importance of forests to our ecosystem, and draw on nature to recreate and renew,” reminds Barbara. Specifically, Barbara cites as inspiration for her gifts: Saratoga PLAN’s miles of trails for hiking and biking; Agricultural Stewardship Association’s diligent conservation of acres of farm lands and forest; Hudson Crossing Park’s built and natural spaces for families to gather, walk and play along the river; and Pitney Meadows Community Farm’s gardens, where multiple generations of families can join together to grow and harvest fresh vegetables.
An intuitive mentor, Barbara is respected for her dedication to nurturing people as well as the land and she has funded internships to reflect her perspective. As the daughter of three generations of educators, “I believe that significant hands-on internship and apprenticeship opportunities make a difference in the lives of young people exploring their vocational directions,” she explains.
Barbara is gratified to know that her partnership with the Community Foundation is achieving her goal of connecting young people with meaningful service. She hopes that opportunities to work with accomplished professionals will result in a new generation of committed, effective and inspired environmental leaders. By funding combined stewardship and mentorship opportunities, Barbara has found a way to pass her brightly lit torch and help others ignite their own sparks.