Chris Lee joined the Des Moines County Conservation Department in 2008.
He says he has been an outdoorsman his entire life, so a career in conservation just made sense.
"I wanted to make a career where I was giving back to something I love," says Lee.
He was serving as Operations Supervisor when he was promoted to Director. He will replace Kim Perlstein, who is stepping down.
Lee says he knew as soon as the job came open that he would apply to lead the department.
He says two of his top priorities will be to continue improvements and enhancements to the Big Hollow Recreation Area and to complete the Flint River Trail between Burlington and Big Hollow.
"We will have a section opening up this spring," says Lee. "We want to get the ball rolling on the rest of it, getting between Highway 61 and the city of Burlington portion, we would really like to get that connected."
Lee says he will reach into the community to explain the benefits of conservation and will stress the need for people to enjoy the outdoors, as opposed to sitting in front of a television or playing video games.
His first official day on the job was Friday, Feb. 1.
