OUR Mission
JDCF works to preserve and steward land and water for the lasting well-being of all people and wildlife. Because Jo Daviess County does not have a forest preserve or conservation district to protect and make available parks and recreation areas, JDCF provides this service to our community without tax dollar support. We currently have over 1,000 acres open, free to the public, to enjoy outdoor recreational activities.

our values

Culture of Inclusion
A commitment to inviting, welcoming, and embracing the perspectives and traditions of those commonly left out of the conservation sector, for the betterment of our work, our Board, and our staff.

PASSION
An enthusiastic, whole-hearted commitment to conservation of land and water, with respect for the heritage of people, past and present.

Perpetuity
Advancing conservation that will endure and benefit generations to come.

Public Trust
The public confidence vested in JDCF to protect and ethically steward the lands and financial resources entrusted to us.

Innovative Leadership
Leadership that creates space for others to reach their full potential.

Community
Engaging with diverse communities in equitable conservation strategies that benefit land, water, and all people to maximize conservation outcomes.

Organizational Excellence
Delivering sustained, superior performance that meets or exceeds expectations.
our staff
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Sarah Ashcraft-Johnson joined JDCF as a Project Manager Trainee in May of 2023. After completing her Bachelor’s of Environmental Science at Loyola University Chicago, she worked as a restoration technician in Illinois prairies, wetlands, and woodlands for over three years. This new position will focus on developing the skills necessary manage client interactions, writing work and management plans to meet client goals, advanced planning and implementation of prescribed fire, and budget oversight.
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Hillary is excited to return home to NW Illinois and to join the important work of JDCF. She graduated from Morrison High School before attending the University of Illinois at Chicago to receive her Bachelors in Biology, and going on to receive her Masters in Zoology focusing on Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Hillary’s winding path took her through biology and education positions in several states. Along the way she found her calling as an interpretative naturalist and is coming to JDCF from the Catalina Island Conservancy in southern California, where she spent the last 6 years as their Outreach
Programs Manager.
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Anna joined JDCF as a NISC Restoration Technician in February 2023. She graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2021 with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. After working a variety of seasonal land stewardship jobs from Montana to Vermont, she is excited to return to her home state of Illinois and witness the long-term impacts of environmental restoration work on the local community.
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Mike joined JDCF as a NISC Restoration Technician in March 2023. He graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Environmental Studies in the Fall of 2022. Originally from the East Coast, this is his first introduction to the Midwest. He is excited to explore how working in JDCF will expand his passion and knowledge of the outdoors.
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Austin Wachter joined JDCF as
a Preserve Manager for Big Sky Nature Reserve in January of 2023. He graduated from River
Ridge High School and later went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens
Point with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry Management. Austin enjoys the outdoors and spends
most of his free time hunting, fishing, woodworking, hiking, and spending time with family and
friends. Austin lives in Elizabeth with his wonderful wife Natalie and their three dogs, Ava, Koda,
and Wrigley.
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Before coming to JDCF in 2013, Steve lived and worked in northeastern Illinois nearly his entire life. Steve began his career in conservation in 1986 at the Heller Nature Center, serving first as a teaching naturalist, later as the center’s director. From 1998 to 2003, Steve served as the Director of Education for Lake Forest Open Lands Association, where he grew their environmental education program and helped open the Lockhart Family Nature Center. It was there that Steve became interested in the public benefits of private land conservation, which led him to pursue work in non-profit land conservation and restoration.
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Jean Matthiessen joined JDCF in July of 2022 after working for the Galena Historical Society for three and a half-years as an Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director. In her new position as Administrative Assistant for Development, Jean works with Director of Development, Kelly Myers, to raise support from donors, businesses, and grantors and through special events. She also oversees all aspects of our database. A lover of history and nature, Jean is excited to have joined the JDCF family.
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Courtney Abate joined the
JDCF team as a NISC restoration technician in the spring of 2022. She has nearly three years of
experience in ecological restoration including a season with NISC partner organization the
Natural Land Institute. Courtney is eager to take on her new role as Preserve Coordinator.
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Although a volunteer, herself, Ginni has taken on the task of coordinating the many layers of JDCF’s volunteer program, and is a valued member of our staff! JDCF offers many different volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. If you are interested, please contact Ginni for details.
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Ben joined the JDCF staff in 2019. With his education in natural resources, love of the outdoors, and extensive property management experience, he was the perfect person to take on the position of Site Steward at JDCF’s Valley of Eden Bird Sanctuary. Since then, Ben has earned the Illinois Prescribed Burn Manager certification, and been promoted to Preserve Manager.
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Debbie Larys joined JDCF in 2020 as its Bookkeeper/Executive Assistant to the Director. Born and raised in Chicago, she moved to Jo Daviess County with her family in 2014. She has over a decade of previous experience working at a boutique law firm as an Office Manager/Legal Assistant.
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Aaron Hogate joined JDCF as a member of the Northerwest Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team in June of 2020. Originally from New Jersey, Aaron witnessed firsthand how mismanagement can degrade and destroy natural areas. After earning his degree in Biology, Aaron worked to protect ecosystems and wildlife with the Delaware Bay Shorebird project, as well as The Nature Conservancy in Indiana and South Dakota.
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Jake graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Environmental Science, minor in ARCGIS, and technical emphasis in Land Resources. He has a combined four years of experience gained from working with Integrated Restorations LLC and Quercus Land Stewardship Services LLC. Those four years have given Jake the experience necessary to confront the stewardship intricacies presented by the Driftless region.
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Kelly Myers brings over 25 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations in the tristate area. He has experience in fundraising leadership, event planning, and major and planned gifts. He has also served as a capital campaign consultant for organizations like JDCF.
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Deb Kelly joined JDCF in early 2008, following many years with the Equine Land Conservation Resource as the Director of Equestrian Partnership. She oversees the production of all printed and electronic communications—newsletters, press releases, informational brochures, and specialized reports. She is also the administrator of this website.
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In the summer of 2012, Jim Johannsen joined the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation as its new Land Protection Specialist and is now the Director of Land Preservation. Jim works with JDCF staff, volunteers, and local landowners to establish new protected natural areas and ensure that the natural and scenic treasures of Jo Daviess County are here to enjoy for generations to come.
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A Jo Daviess County native, Tom graduated from Stockton High School in 1979, and from Western Illinois University in 1983. Since then, Tom served as Education Division Chief for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Education Director for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Executive Director of the Illinois Audubon Society and, most recently, as the Executive Director of the Door County Land Trust.
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BOARD OF Directors
Mike McCoy
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Mike has been active in community organizations including Director and President of Galena Area Chamber of Commerce, Director and President of the Galena Historical Society and President of the Galena Lions Club as well as a long-time member of the Galena Golf Club and Galena Elks Lodge.
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Dan Dick
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As a Lena native, Dan is proud to live locally and give back to our community. He helped found the Friends of Canyon Camp nonprofit organization, previously served the Blackhawk Area Council Board as VP of Outdoor Adventures, and currently volunteers as a board member for the Stockton Chamber of Commerce. As he concludes his coursework at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Dan has enjoyed finding additional time to spend with his wife, Lauren, and outdoor loving kids, Zoey and Austin.
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Ken Beach
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As an active community member for many years, Ken has been an environmental advocate: He led the Stephenson County Recycling Awareness Program (SCRAP), chaired the Freeport Solid Waste Commission, was instrumental in the development of the Freeport Park District’s Wetlands Preserve, and is on the Habitat Committee for Pheasants Forever. He is president of the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association and a board member for the Jane Addamsland Park Foundation. Ken has been engaged with regional conservation organizations for more than 30 years.
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Emily Painter ,President
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Emily and her husband, Gregg, met in high school, married in college, and finished their degrees at the University of Illinois in Chicago. They discovered Galena in 1971, and moved there the very next year.
She was an active participant in the acquisition and development of the Gateway and Horseshoe Mound properties. Emily joined the JDCF board in 2016, and was named Vice President in 2020. She is honored to be a part of the JDCF organization, and hopes to continue to contribute to JDCF’s great legacy.
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Laurie Mattas ,Vice President
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An active member of JDCF since its inception, Laurie has focused on conservation education and outreach. She helped launch Camp Casper, coordinated eagle-watching tours for ten years, has made numerous educational presentations, and has participated in many bird counts, as well as bluebird monitoring at Lost Mound. In 2020 she joined the board of Casper Creek Natural Cemetery, helping launch a business that reflects her commitment to protecting the environment.
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Susan McDonald ,Secretary
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Susan McDonald has been in marketing and sales for the last thirty years. In this capacity, she oversees a geographical sales area, manages sales reps and support staff, and is a part of a management team. With her background in sales and marketing, along with her enthusiasm for the preservation of Daviess County, Susan is interested in contributing in the areas of fundraising, membership and general awareness of JDCF.
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Marilyn Spiroff ,Treasurer
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Marilyn holds a Masters of Management degree from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University. She is a certified public accountant. Marilyn and her husband, Harlan, who have been members of JDCF since 2003, were happy to support the mission of JDCF with the establishment of the Harlan and Marilyn Spiroff Overlook at Horseshoe Mound.
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Alan Wenzel
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Alan grew up on a farm between Winslow and Lena, Illinois. He attended Northern Illinois University, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and Central Michigan University, earning an M.A. in Interpersonal and Public Communication.
A retired Speech Communications/Film Instructor from Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois, Alan taught a variety of courses in film, business communication, public speaking, leadership development, argumentation, political communication, and small-group behavior. From 1992-2017, Alan served as Director of the Stephenson County Leadership Institute and the Jo Daviess County Leadership Forum, community leadership development programs offered by Highland.
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P. Carter Newton
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P. Carter Newton grew up in Muskegon, MI, graduating from Mona Shores High School in 1973. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from Grinnell College in 1977 and started his newspaper career afterward. He has worked at The Galena Gazette since December 1979 and currently serves as publisher.
He is a past president of the Galena Area Chamber of Commerce and former board member of The Galena Foundation. A past president of the Illinois Press Association, he is now a member of the Illinois Press Foundation, president of the Community Development Fund of Galena, and member of the Midwest Medical Center Board of Directors.
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Chris Larson
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Christine (Chris) Larson brings over 20 years of corporate experience in sales and marketing, business development, and management. She is currently Executive Director for St. Vincent de Paul Racine County Council in Wisconsin. Chris has served on the Staff of Four Mounds Foundation and, from 2006 thru 2008, she served as Executive Director of the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. From 2009-2018 she was Treasurer and a board member of JDCF.
The majority of Chris’s career includes executive and management positions with such telecom and technology companies as Ameritech, AT&T, Motorola, and CCC Information Technologies. Larson holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
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Doug Dufford
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Taking inspiration from his grandfather, a Kansas wheat farmer, and father, a fisheries biologist, Doug embarked on a career as a wildlife biologist, tying interests in natural resources with the agricultural areas they inhabit. After obtaining BA, and MS degrees in zoology from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, and a completing a brief stint with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Doug started a 33-year career with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 1986, serving initially as District Wildlife Biologist in northwest Illinois, and concluding as Wildlife Disease and Invasive Wildlife Program Manager for the entire state. Doug is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Prescribed Burn Manager and served as President of the Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and Treasurer of the Professional Association of Resource Conservation Managers.
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Randy Downing
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Randy has a professional background of over 30 years of managing the development of computer-controlled switching systems for Bell Telephone Laboratories. His first visit to the county in 1978 led to the purchase of a small piece of property, then to a weekend home, and finally, to a full-time home in 1990. In 1995 he acquired a 14-acre parcel of land in rural Stockton and completed a 5-acre restoration (with a lot of help from friends), which is known as Bluebird Prairie. A conservation easement held by JDCF now ensures that Bluebird Prairie and the surrounding woodlands will be here for a long time. Randy looks forward to helping the JDCF continue on its very successful land preservation journey.
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Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Asher
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Bobbi is a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), and has had a 30 year career in the investment industry managing institutional investment portfolios. She holds a Masters of Management degree from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Since retiring, she has become active in nature and bird conservation.
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Lois Gordon
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Lois has been a very involved JDCF board member since 2005 currently serving on the Finance, Land Preservation, Land Stewardship, Strategic Planning, and Wapello Discovery Center Committees. She holds several degrees, including a B.S. and M.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb, IL, and a Masters in Public Administration, also from NIU. Her professional career included teaching physical education and becoming a Director of P.E. in IL, NY, and Japan. She has been a manager of parks and recreation facilities for over 30 years with experience in long-range planning, financial management, and grant writing. Lois strongly believes in public service, having been elected Park Commissioner and member of the Wheaton Planning Commission in Wheaton, IL and appointed member of the DuPage Conservation Foundation and Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.
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