CHIEF ADVOCATE

Nick serves as the Chief Advocate for the Build Our Preserve initiative and is the founder of the group. He is a former Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner (2012-2016) and Vice-Chair of the District’s Planning and Restoration Committee. During his tenure on the Forest Preserve Board, Lake County restored and opened the extension to the Grassy Lake Preserve in Lake Barrington. Nick is a former state legislator and longtime member of Citizens for Conservation. He is an area leader in small business, chairs two non-profit foundations and trains for marathons and triathlons in his spare time. Nick and his adopted dog Beau love to explore our Lake County Forest Preserves.

ADVOCATE

Janet is an innovative leader in the fields of groundwater research and regional land use planning. In 2020, Janet retired as the Executive Director of the Barrington Area Council of Governments, fostering 20 years of collaboration and coordination between our communities. She has served as an appointee on several state water monitoring and conservation advisory boards, helping to protect regional water quality. Janet served as a member of the Citizens for Conservation Board of Directors and, in 2018, was awarded the William H. Miller Award for Outstanding Leadership in Natural Resource Conservation.

ADVOCATE

Barbara has lived in Lake County for 55 years. She is a retired Barrington High School teacher who has always been interested in environmental conservation. For 17 years she was a member of the Citizens for Conservation Board of Directors, and in 2018 was awarded the Great Blue Heron award for outstanding contributions to conservation within CFC. Barbara served as an Environmental Commissioner when a resident of North Barrington and now resides in Lake Barrington. For the past 20 years she has been a member of the WTTW Citizens Advisory Board where she consistently advocates for environmental coverage on local television.

ADVOCATE

Karen and her husband, Art, have lived in Lake Barrington for 32 years. Her professional background includes extensive experience in civil engineering and public works. Karen’s governmental experience includes engineering leadership roles in the Villages of Arlington Heights, Downers Grove and Hanover Park. She recently retired as Lake Barrington’s Village Administrator and now serves as the Coordinator of the Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership. Karen was twice elected to the office of Village Trustee and is currently serving as the newest member of the Citizens for Conservation Board of Directors.

ADVOCATE

Kathleen Leitner is a dedicated local government and Barrington area environmental leader. Her community involvement began with the Tower Lakes homeowner’s association, then service on the Village Zoning Board of Appeals, followed by a time as the Village Clerk and finally, leading as Village President for eight years. More recently, Kathleen was elected President of the Citizens for Conservation Board, a position she held from 2018 to 2024. During her time as President, CFC acquired the Hill 'N Dale Preserve, a project resulting in her receiving the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 WBN Award for Outstanding Female Leadership in a Non-Profit Role.

ADVOCATE

Sam Oliver and her husband Bob have been active volunteers in our area for many years. Sam has served in leadership roles in countless community organizations and has assisted in creating many more as part of the Barrington Area Development Council. In fact, she was one of the first recipients of BADC’s “Citizen of the Year” Award. Sam has a passion for our natural environment and is probably best known for her leadership as the Staff Director of Citizens for Conservation, a role she held for 31 years. Sam is a member of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame and serves on the management committee of the Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership.

ADVOCATE

As Lake Barrington’s long-time Mayor, Kevin has worked diligently to foster the community’s reputation for responsible environment stewardship.  Mayor Richardson led the Village bond referendum campaign that enabled Lake Barrington to purchase open space, and he forged strategic partnerships with Citizens for Conservation and the Lake County Forest Preserves District that led to further open space protection. During his time as mayor, Kevin has also successfully brought thoughtful economic development into the community as part of a strategy to both reduce the role of residential property taxes in funding Village government and provide enhanced revenue sources for open space and environmental initiatives.  

ADVOCATE

Bruce is a longtime supporter of smart community planning and environmental stewardship. He is a former member of the Barrington Conservation Trust Board and served two terms as Village President of North Barrington. During his time as Mayor, Bruce championed environmental initiatives, including the restoration of Flint Creek, and helped designate North Barrington as a “Tree City”. Bruce also spearheaded the passage of key regional policies that have helped replenish our shallow aquifers and allow for ground water recharge. He now lives in Lake Barrington and enjoys working in his garden and golfing whenever he can.

ADVOCATE

Jan is a former Village Trustee from North Barrington and moved to the region in the 1990’s to be closer to the beautiful open space found in our area. Jan has been an active volunteer in the community for decades. She has held leadership positions on various Barrington School PTO boards and was the President of the Barrington High School Fine Arts Boosters for three consecutive years. In 2013, Jan was appointed to the North Barrington Village Board and was re-elected in 2015 and 2019. She is a member of Citizens of Conservation, loves to hike Lake County trails, and enjoys bird watching.