Podcast | Leadership in Conservation Organisations | Chris Lee
How conservation professionals can build strong teams, positive cultures, and deliver greater impact, with our guest Chris Lee.
Today we’re exploring something that sits at the heart of every successful conservation project – but often gets far less attention than it deserves – leadership.
I’m joined by Chris Lee, Executive Director at Des Moines County Conservation in Iowa, and co-host of the Parks and Restoration podcast. Chris describes himself as an “organisational ecologist” – applying lessons from nature to help build stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures, and more effective conservation organisations.
In this episode, we dig into what good leadership actually looks like in conservation – and why it’s not just about job titles or seniority. We explore how culture shapes performance, why putting people first is essential, and how thinking of organisations as ecosystems can completely change the way we work.
Chris also shares his own career journey – from wildlife biologist to organisational leader – including some honest reflections on mistakes, lessons learned, and what it really takes to build a team where people want to show up and do their best work.
And we talk about how anyone – at any stage of their career – can develop leadership skills and have a positive impact within their organisation.
It’s a thoughtful and practical conversation about the human side of conservation – and how, if we get that right, everything else becomes possible.
Enjoy.
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