Conservation

Throughout Barrington Hills Land preservation and conservation easements are ensuring green spaces, open land, natural habitat, and rural roadways in our community well into the future. Residents and organizations have worked together with volunteers protecting and restoring wetlands, prairies, riding trails, woods and waterways.

Exceptional Birding

We have an extraordinary concentration of rare and threatened species residing, breeding and migrating within Barrington Hills. Raptors, Hawks, Cranes and Songbirds can seen and heard throughout the Hills. The preservation and vigilant maintenance of natural prairies and waterways including, creeks, runs, and ponds have provided outstanding habitats for birds to breed and raise their hatchlings.

Fox River Valley is the winter haven for bald eagles which have returned to the region, an indication of the success of the restoration efforts and improvement in water quality. The rare whooping crane and the numerous sandhill cranes rattling calls echo throughout the Village.

Birds return to the area every year, appreciated and enjoyed by both residents and birders alike. Our community has been internationaly recognized as an “Important Bird Area.”

Forest Preserves

The Forest Preserves of Cook County maintain over 3,800 acres of forest preserve within our Village. The vast network of natural riding trails throughout Spring Creek Forest Preserve allows one to get lost in nature while still being less than an hour away from Chicago.

Crabtree Nature Center offers programs designed for children and adults to explore and appreciate nature. Weekend programs and activities include birdhouse building, fishing tournaments, snowshoeing and landscaping painting.