For over 20 years, Steve has been advancing the ethical relationship between people and land through tangible conservation initiatives. As Program Director, he oversees the foundation’s marketing, communications, facilities, education and outreach, and land stewardship staffs. Steve’s coordination and facilitation of staff’s time and talents focus on the foundation’s ambition to grow budget and impact.  

His role oversees the preservation and protection of Aldo Leopold’s historic Shack, a National Historic Landmark and the conservation ambition and impact achieved on surrounding lands through the 4,000-acre Leopold-Pines Conservation Area.   

Regionally, Steve coordinates a public-private partnership called My Wisconsin Woods. Through continuous improvement of outreach methods, My Wisconsin Woods inspires land care among woodland owners. For this project and others, Steve authored regionalized handbooks titled My Healthy Woods, written specifically for inexperienced landowners. These award-winning handbooks have reached over 40,000 landowners collectively owning 6 million acres in Arkansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Steve holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Science from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a M.S. in Ecology from Ohio State University.