{{Infobox Organization |name = Citizens for Conservation, Inc. |image = |formation = 1971 |type = Non-profit organization |purpose = Restoration and protection of native species and open space |headquarters = Barrington, IL |coordinates = |region_served = USA |leader_title = President |leader_name = Kathleen Leitner |main_organ = Board of Directors |website = [http://www.CitizensforConservation.org/ www.CitizensForConservation.org] }}
'''Citizens for Conservation''' (commonly called CFC) is a nonprofit organization, centered in Barrington, Illinois, established in 1971.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://citizensforconservation.org/about-us/history/ |publisher=Citizens for Conservation |access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref> CFC's motto is ''Saving Living Space for Living Things through protection, restoration and stewardship of land, conservation of natural resources and education''.<ref>{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.citizensforconservation.org/about-us/|publisher=CFC|accessdate=27 November 2013}}</ref> It is a member of Chicago Wilderness and the Land Trust Alliance.
CFC specializes in habitat restoration, both on properties it owns and nearby forest preserves of Lake County Forest Preserve District and Forest Preserve District of Cook County. CFC relies almost entirely on volunteers, meeting at least once a week year-round.<ref>{{cite web|title=CFC Volunteering|url=http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org8619.jsp|publisher=Volunteer Match|accessdate=27 November 2013}}</ref> In addition, student interns are hired during the summer.
CFC received the 2011 Conservation and Native Landscaping award from the U.S. EPA and Chicago Wilderness for its restoration work on the ''Flint Creek Savanna'', their largest property and location of their headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|title=CFC wins award|url=http://www.landtrustalliance.org/events-news/midwest-news/citizens-for-conservation-earns-notable-2011-epa-and-chicago-wilderness-award|publisher=Land Trust Alliance|accessdate=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002435/http://www.landtrustalliance.org/events-news/midwest-news/citizens-for-conservation-earns-notable-2011-epa-and-chicago-wilderness-award|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== CFC properties == As of early 2020, CFC owned 12 properties for a total of 476 acres.<ref>{{cite web|title=Donation Expands Flint Creek Preserve|url=http://citizensforconservation.org/press-releases/donation-expands-flint-creek-preserve/|publisher=Citizens for Conservation|accessdate=22 March 2016}}</ref> Much of this is agricultural land that was donated or purchased, and restored back to natural habitat, primarily oak savanna, tallgrass prairie, and wetlands. Removal of invasive species and re-seeding of native species from local seed sources is the main focus of habitat restoration. It has the largest holding of fee simple lands (direct ownership) of any non-profit in Lake County, Illinois.
In August of 2022, CFC announced the purchase of the 246 acre Hill 'N Dale Farm, previously owned by the Duchossois family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Arlington Park Owners Putting Family Farm Out to Pasture in Big Win for Conservationists |url=https://news.wttw.com/2022/08/31/former-arlington-park-owners-putting-family-farm-out-pasture-big-win-conservationists |publisher=WTTW (PBS) |access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref> This was funded in part by a large grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. By 2025, CFC owned 732 acres across 14 preserves.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://citizensforconservation.org/about-us/ |publisher=Citizens for Conservation |access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref>
== Education == CFC offers periodic programs for children as part of the No Child Left Inside project, and works with the local school district to introduce 3rd and 4th graders to the prairie.<ref>{{cite web|title=District 220 students work on prairie preservation|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121012/submitted/710129739/|publisher=Daily Herald|accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref> It also provides occasional community education programs for adults.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sam Oliver retires|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/barrington/news/ct-bcr-sam-oliver-retires-tl-0827-20150825-story.html|publisher=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Nature conservation organizations based in the United States Category:Ecological restoration