07/10/2026
Thank You Steve and Happy 3rd Act!
Just like that, today marks the end of Steve Barg's tenure at JDCF as he embarks on a well-deserved 3rd Act (AKA retirement!). Steve began his service as JDCF’s executive director in 2013 and, from the very beginning, his leadership and values have deeply aligned with our mission of preserving and stewarding land and water for the benefit of all people and wildlife. It is an understatement to say that a tremendous amount has happened during this time.
Joyous celebrations have marked the openings of new public nature preserves across Jo Daviess County, beginning in 2014 with Horseshoe Mound and the long-awaited opening of Galena Gateway Park. Ribbon cuttings at the Valley of Eden Bird Sanctuary, Rutherford Refuge Nature Preserve, and the Home Farm Section of Big Sky followed between 2018 and 2024 with each site having become cherished community landmarks. Significant additions were made to Casper Bluff, Horseshoe Mound, and the Wapello Reserve where large tracts of land are now home to diverse groups of native plants, animals, and insects living in acres of restored prairie, oak savanna, grasslands, and woodlands. Other lands protected by JDCF since Steve took the helm include sites in the Apple River Canyon corridor, the Hanover Bluffs Wildlife Area, and alongside Wards Grove in Stockton that JDCF has since transferred to IDNR ownership.
JDCF has always sought to connect people to nature by getting them outside, an ethic that Steve deeply shares. One example is a complex project that he and a group of volunteers stated in 2015, aimed at improving public access at the 1,000-acre Witkowsky Wildlife Area, which lies between Galena and Hanover and is owned by the IDNR. Ten miles of new public hiking trails were opened in 2021, bringing the current number of miles of trails on JDCF and JDCF partners sites to 60 – all available to the public for free. JDCF has also accepted the donation of 14 conservation easements from private landowners on 2,780 acres since 2013. These are just some of the impressive land preservation and public access projects completed during Steve’s watch.
Steve guided the multi-year process by which Casper Creek Natural Cemetery made its way from a then peculiar idea to a successful businesses supporting JDCF’s stewardship work and just having celebrated its 5th anniversary. Over the past year, Steve has dedicated much of his time and effort to ensure the long-term financial security for JDCF’s initiatives by spearheading the 'Inspiring You to Preserve Our Future' fundraising campaign. And, ever mindful that there needs to be a next gen of conservationists to follow in our footsteps, Steve has prioritized growing our education and outreach programming since his arrival thirteen years ago. He shared a great sense of gratification with our education staff and volunteers as JDCF launched the Mighty Acorns outdoor ed curriculum for third through fifth graders in the River Ridge school district this past school year.
In addition to all of this, Steve has fostered strong and meaningful connections between JDCF and local landowners, donors, volunteers, partner organizations, municipalities, and an increasing number of sovereign Tribal Nations centered on our common need for a healthy natural world. His deep connection and passion for Mother Earth and all Her creatures radiates from him in an infectious way that motivates those around him to do better on Her behalf.
The Board and staff express their heartfelt gratitude to Steve for his insightful, strategic, and humble leadership that has steered JDCF into the thriving organization it is today. Happy 3rd act Steve, and know that you have made a difference in the lives and landscapes here in the southern Driftless region. The people, plants, and animals thank you.
