Barrington area conservation group acquires 13 acres on Flint Creek

Citizens for Conservation announced at its annual meeting Thursday night that it has acquired another 13 acres of land, expanding its holdings along Flint Creek in Lake Barrington.

The land in the Pepper Road Business Park builds on the group's successful efforts to acquire a two-acre vacant near the Lake Barrington Field House, and its collaboration with the village incorporate into its existing preserve land it has obtained from the vacated Foley Court road off Henry Lane. With these latest additions, CFC's Flint Creek Savanna preserve now extends to more than 146 acres.

Most of the land was wetlands, making for a favorable purchase price, said CFC Land Preservation Chairman Alberto Moriondo, who declined to be specific. It's been easier to acquire land for favorable prices since the recession a few years ago reduced development potential, he said.

"Over the past 10 years, we've embarked on an aggressive campaign to expand our award-winning Flint Creek Savanna preserve, through land donations, selective acquisitions and working closely with local municipalities like the Village of Lake Barrington that believe in saving open space," Moriondo said.

Moriondo said the group wants to create a large preserve along Flint Creek from its headquarters on Route 22 to Route 14 and restore the natural habitat with volunteers, protecting a critical water recharge area.

CFC, one of the oldest volunteer conservation groups in Illinois, now owns more than 430 acres and for 44 years has helped protect almost 3,500 acres in the Barrington area.

Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1971, CFC acquires and receives donations of land for preservation and restoration while also providing both adult and children's education to local communities.

For more information, visit www.citizensforconservation.org.