Residents Provide Input for Forest Preserve Capital Improvements

With forest preserves covering 42 percent of Barrington Hills, it was no surprise to see village president, Bob Abboud, at the Cook County Forest Preserve Capital Improvement open house at on Oct. 13.

"The Forest Preserves are naturally woven into the fabric of Barrington Hills," Abboud said.  "Not only from a recreation and conservation standpoint, but also in terms of our local groundwater resources.  Barrington Hills is actively involved with organizations like BACOG, MCCG, NWPA, and CMAP, where we're learning that the preserve's healthy, untainted soil and plant life are a natural filter for clean groundwater. The Forest Preserves and our village zoning work together to ensure our groundwater remains a sustainable resource in our growing region."

Abboud was one of about twenty government officials and residents who attended the open house to review the Cook County Forest Preserves District's 2012-2016 improvement plans and to offer input.  Improvement projects range from restoring ecological integrity to improving trails and nature centers.

Crabtree Nature Center, one of six nature centers in the Cook Country Forest Preserve District, includes more than one thousand acres of rolling, glacier formed landscape.  With more than 260 species observed and at least 89 species recorded breeding, Crabtree is a haven for birds and bird watchers. Crabtree Lake hosts ducks and geese in spring and fall.

Fall offerings at Crabtree include a Fall Color Walk where resident can enjoy prairie and forest hikes on Oct. 16 and 30 starting at 1 p.m. and a Scavenger Hunt for natural wonders on Oct. 23 starting at 1 p.m.

For more information contact Crabtree Nature Center at 847-381-6592.