Barb Hammes

In growing up here and then raising four children, Barb Hammes and her family enjoyed unlimited recreation on the river and nearby bluffs.  She gradually increased her awareness from taking these resources for granted to realizing the importance of conservation.  After retiring from a career in nurse-midwifery, Barb treasures a full life with her husband Bud at their home on the banks of the Mississippi River.  She was a founding board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Sparta, Wisconsin, and of the Mississippi River Wild, a friends group to the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge.  She serves on the Executive Board of the Friends group for this Refuge.  Barb currently works part-time at Gundersen-Lutheran as an advanced practice nurse.

She was a member of MVC for years before joining the board in January, 2008, and currently chairs the board governance committee.  Through MVC she enjoys the company of fun people and lifelong learning opportunities.  She also enjoys working on such environmental issues such as the promotion of native flora and fauna, and keeping fit on MVC’s trails in all seasons.  She looks forward to seeing her grandchildren, and those of the women she midwifed,  enjoy nature in the years to come.