“When you create a thriving ecosystem you’ll have people that are motivated to go and do good work, move your organization forward, and make an impact on the people and resources that you serve.”
Chris Lee has a clear passion for parks and the people who care for them. Our recent conversation gave us a chance to catch up on the work he’s doing in Iowa and the growth of the Parks and Restoration podcast. Chris has a way of talking about conservation and leadership that makes big ideas feel simple and useful.
Since he was last on the show, Chris has helped lead new programs in Des Moines County and supported a festival that brought thousands of people to the Mississippi River. Everything he does has the goal of helping people connect with nature and understand the value of conservation. That commitment shows up again in the podcast he co-hosts with Jeremy Yost. They mix stories from ecology with lessons about leadership, which gives park professionals something they can use right away.
Another sign of growth is the way Chris’ podcast has changed. It started with Outdoor Executive Dad, and is now the Parks and Restoration podcast. He credits working with a co-host for moving the show forward. Their process of swapping notes, adding ideas, and building episodes together gives the content more depth. It’s easy to hear why listeners respond to it.
He also talked about the leadership shifts he teaches. Ideas like moving from “hustle” to “balance” and changing the focus from yourself to your team matter for anyone leading people. These concepts come straight from the work he does every day, and they show up again and again in the conversations on the podcast.
Chris has plans for more episodes on change, vision, goal setting, culture, and even how AI can support park work. The path ahead for Parks and Restoration is full of strong topics that fit what today’s park leaders need most. Hearing Chris explain where the show is going makes it clear he’s building something steady, practical, and made for the real world of parks and conservation.
Connect with Chris Lee
Parks and Restoration Episode 78
Resources
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Notable Moments
03:20 – How a riverfront festival connected thousands to conservation.
04:38 – Leadership through the lens of ecology explained.
07:32 – The things workshops reveal when taken outdoors.
09:12 – The podcast’s evolution from Outdoor Executive Dad to Parks and Restoration.
16:25 – Highlights from the “Next Level Leadership” episode.
18:30 – The mindset shift from hustle to balance.
20:25 – Moving from “it’s about you” to “it’s about your team.”
21:26 – Coming soon to Parks and Restoration.
24:34 – Why more park leadership podcasts help the entire industry.
25:15 – Where to find Chris Lee and his work.