Barrington Area Conservation Trust

We are so thankful for all who support our conservation efforts -- Happy Thanksgiving!

Illinois is comprised of several unique and diverse biomes, or terrestrial ecoregions, which include: wetland, prairie, forest, savanna, and lake communities. In the image attached, you will notice that Illinois is broken up into 15 natural divisions including Lake Michigan. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, "Natural Divisions are an important tool for recognizing biological variation across Illinois, and organizing regional needs, objectives and strategies of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan." Barrington is situated in the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division of the state which hosts the greatest biodiversity as well as the largest human population in Illinois. This region?is the most recently glaciated in Illinois. Drainage is poorly developed, thus abundant marshes, natural lakes, and bogs are distinctive features. For more information on the remaining 14 ecoregions of Illinois, visit the following link: https://lnkd.in/giVMzUxx Photo by: willyswilderness.org

With the recent snowfall, it is becoming more imperative to dive into some winter conservation tactics. I found an article which discusses simple, yet effective ways to tackle the long, cold months that we experience in the Midwest. Follow the link for some insight into some ways you can employ conservative and cost-conscious actions during this time of year: https://lnkd.in/g_AXdsKR Photo by: JourneyBe

Lately, I've been curious about squirrels and their hibernation tendencies as temperatures drop yet I still frequently spot them meandering outside. Here are a few fun facts about ground squirrels as two of the four species are native to Illinois -- the Thirteen-lined ground squirrel?(Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Franklin’s ground squirrel?(Spermophilus franklinii) (pictured respectively). Photos by: hummingbirdsplus.org, misfitanimals.com, flickr.com, animaldiversity.com

For our final sponsor shout-out, we'd like to thank Davey Tree / Charlie Keppel, Marsha & Charlie McClary, and Woods to Wetlands for their generous sponsorship and participation in Oaktoberfest 2024. How lucky are we to be surrounded and supported by such an amazing, dedicated community! Thank you for being our friends in conservation. This year's Oaktoberfest event was centered around "Animals in Conservation" and included information on invasive species-management, or biocontrol. On a related note, check out this article published by the University of Illinois, covering a study directed by S. Raghu which discusses the biological control of exotic, invasive weeds in Illinois. https://lnkd.in/g_RjcjyB

Oaktoberfest 2024 would not have been possible without our amazing donors, presenters, and volunteers. Thank you to Lanisa & Rusty Scurto, American General Storage, and Karen Trzaska & Rick Robinson for your generous donations! Conservation Fun Fact: Renewable energy sources now account for more than 26% of global electricity production. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy options, the share of renewable sources such as solar and wind power continues to increase. This is a promising statistic!

Today we'd like to highlight our amazing sponsors Colleen Konicek, Northern Trust, and Triumph Construction! Your generous support of Oaktoberfest 2024 is so greatly appreciated. Conservation Fun Fact: Planting trees is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to reduce?greenhouse gas?emissions and mitigate global warming. One of our favorite parts of each Oaktoberfest event includes the planting of oak trees. Thank you for engaging in and celebrating conservation with BACT!

Our next Oaktoberfest 2024 sponsor shout-out features the Judy Gibbons Group / Jameson Sotheby's, Graystone Consulting / Morgan Stanley, and Laura & Larry Ekstrom! Thank you for supporting the BACT mission, allowing us to continue to work towards conserving and preserving the beautiful natural spaces across the Barrington area. We couldn't do it without you all!

Today we express our gratitude for our generous Oaktoberfest 2024 sponsors Anita Wilcheck, Barrington Bank & Trust, and BOOM! Cult / Robert McGinley. Thank you for your support! Conservation Fun Fact: Here is a glimmer of hope to start your day -- The ozone layer is slowly healing and is projected to recover by 2050. Thanks to the international efforts to ban harmful substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the ozone layer is gradually repairing itself. We love to hear it!

A huge thank you to The Plexus Groupe, The Vondra Family Foundation, and The Romana Foundation for their generous sponsorship of BACT's Oaktoberfest 2024 event! We are so grateful for your support and involvement in our ongoing conservation missions.