The foundation for the Barrington Area Development Council (BADC) began when a dedicated group of local citizens and school representatives met to address emerging suburban sprawl and environmental threats. This collaborative effort led to the formal establishment of BADC in April 1966 as a region-wide community advocacy group.

To strategically address environmental preservation, BADC commissioned the seminal Barton-Aschman study. The landmark report recommended creating a citizen-led conservation organization tasked with preserving "the natural features of the countryside environment... to acquire and maintain natural features of highest priority... and to encourage individual property owners to carry out sound conservation practices."

Following these recommendations, Citizens for Conservation (CFC) was formally established in 1971. Today, CFC continues to spearhead large-scale environmental initiatives, living out its motto of "Saving Living Space for Living Things" through the stewardship of 732 acres across 14 protected preserves.