Meet your guide

Marseilles native Joe Jakupcak is a hike leader at prominent ecological sites in the Starved Rock region, including Starved Rock Lodge and Dayton Bluffs Preserve. Joe also is a tour guide at Starved Rock Marina and is the narrator of sightseeing tours on the Ste. Genevieve Riverboat. Joe holds a B.S. in Geology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an MEd in Science from the University of Missouri Columbia. With a career in science education spanning 39 years, Joe is known for infusing his understanding of geology and passion for teaching into his hikes, all of which are excellent educational opportunities for all ages. We are excited to bring Joe’s extensive knowledge, expertise, and devotion to the ecology of the Starved Rock region to Nell's Woodland. To sign up for one of Joe's Guided Walks, use our "Visit" tab to learn more about our upcoming offerings with Joe Jakupcak.