A letter from the President of the Board…
Preserve. Restore. Inspire.
September 13, 2024
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Matthew P. Vondra, President
Matthew Wilkens, Vice President
Loren E. Ekstrom, Treasurer
Karen Trzaska, Secretary
Trey Berre, Elizabeth C. Bramsen, Grant Duke, James Hulshof, Charles Keppel, Colleen Konicek, Richard Lamkey, Jan Nestrud, Aaron Wahls
Dear Friends of Barrington Area Conservation Trust,
Thank you for your commitment to preserving the open spaces of the Barrington Area for future generations. For over 20 years, the Barrington Area Conservation Trust (BACT) has been dedicated to protecting donated properties and property rights, educating the next generation of conservationists in our high schools, and serving as the community’s go-to resource for the conservation and restoration of privately held lands.
I am honored to serve as the President of the Board of Trustees for BACT, entrusted with the responsibility of protecting these critical interests in perpetuity. It is a privilege to carry forward the legacy of our founders, past board members, and generous donors who have given their time and resources to this vital cause.
Our Board is comprised of professionals with deep expertise in law, property rights, horticulture, arboriculture, management, and finance. Together, we are proud stewards of the mission, and we welcome your interest in joining us, whether as a Board member or active participant in our efforts. I am pleased to report that BACT is on strong financial and managerial footing, positioning us to continue making significant impacts on our community.
For a more detailed overview of our recent successes and future plans, I invite you to review the attached Executive Summary prepared by Melissa Kinast, our Executive Director.
Oak-toberfest – October 6th, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Far Field Nature Preserve, Barrington Hills, at the corner of Old Sutton Road and County Line Road
Cost: Free to the public
Theme: Animals in Conservation
Oak-toberfest has become a beloved tradition, hosted each year by Charlie Keppel, a treasured Board member and Restoration Committee Co-Chair alongside Dick Lamkey. This celebration highlights the Far Field property, generously donated to BACT by the Smith Family, and showcases the long-term efforts to restore this important land to an oak savannah.
This year, Oak-toberfest will focus on Animals in Conservation, providing an engaging and educational experience for all attendees. Activities will include oak tree planting, native seed collection, presentations on tree care, local wildlife, and conservation-aligned domestic animals. In addition, you’ll have the chance to enjoy live music, drinks, and fireside chats with fellow BACT community members.
We’ve combined this celebration with BACT’s annual fundraiser, offering a unique opportunity to gather and experience the beauty of a property that has been the focus of nearly a decade of restoration work. This year’s sponsorship opportunities are fully aligned with BACT’s mission to preserve, restore, and inspire through meaningful conservation work in the Barrington Area.
This event allows donors and community members to see BACT’s mission in action. I encourage you to join us as event sponsors and experience firsthand how BACT continues to protect and enhance the natural spaces of our community. I look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate conservation and the important role animals play in preserving our environment.
Sincerely, Matt Vondra
President of the Board of Trustees Barrington Area Conservation Trust
Disclaimer: Barrington Area Conservation Trust is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN# 36-4478511.
