Parks and Restoration

Chris Lee
  • 5.0 (8)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Great parks and healthy landscapes are the products of strong leadership. This show is dedicated to helping you become that leader.

  1. 4D AGO

    Why Conservation Needs More Than Conservationists with Dr. Nick Askew | Episode 89

    Chris sits down with Dr. Nick Eskew, founder and director of Conservation Careers, for a wide-ranging conversation that spans barn owl behavior, international wildlife management, and the future of the conservation workforce. Nick shares how a career arc that began with childhood fishing trips and a breathtaking first barn owl sighting led him through Birdlife International, fieldwork in the Pacific, and eventually back to the UK to build Conservation Careers — a global platform now serving over 1.2 million visitors annually and listing some 50,000–60,000 jobs per year. The conversation covers the surprising parallels between barn owl foraging energetics and how we think about habitat corridors, what employers around the world are actually struggling to find in conservation job candidates (hint: it's not technical skills), and why the sector may need to look outside its own ranks to grow its impact. Chris and Nick also dig into leadership development, the value of coaching over training, and why self-awareness might be the most underrated career skill in conservation. Topics covered: How Conservation Careers grew from a side hustle to a global platformThe barn owl research behind Nick's PhD — and what it teaches us about habitat connectivityWhat the Lower Derwent Valley nature reserve model looks like compared to US public landsWhy soft skills and professional skills matter more than employers let onBringing non-conservation professionals into the sector — and integrating them wellThe case for entrepreneurial, commercial thinking in NGOs and nonprofitsRewilding success stories, including the Knepp Estate and Isabella Tree's book WildingNick's one piece of advice for aspiring conservation leaders Resources mentioned: Conservation CareersWilding by Isabella TreeBirdlife InternationalThe Knepp Estate rewilding project About Parks and Restoration Podcast The Parks and Restoration Podcast is for parks and conservation professionals who want to become better leaders—because better leadership creates better ecosystems, stronger teams, and more meaningful impact. Learn more at: ParksandRestoration.com

    1h 7m

  2. MAR 24

    Inverted org charts and regenerative leadership with Dr. Kathleen Allen | Episode 88

    What if the way we’ve been thinking about leadership is fundamentally wrong? This episode is the meetup Chris hosted with Dr. Kathleen Allen, author of Leading from the Roots, and it explores a completely different way of thinking about leadership—one grounded not in control, hierarchy, or efficiency… but in nature. Kathleen’s work focuses on regenerative leadership—designing organizations that function more like ecosystems than machines. And as you’ll hear, the implications are massive. Key topics: Why treating organizations like machines creates burnout, silos, and dysfunctionThe shift from extractive systems to regenerative ones—and why it mattersHow a simple change in perspective (seeing people as living systems) transforms culture instantlyWhy most org charts are backwards—and what a “tree-based” org structure revealsThe three stages of ecosystem development—and how they map directly to organizationsWhy diversity and relationships—not control—create resilienceWhat distributed leadership actually looks like in practice (and why it works)How organizations unintentionally create fragility through efficiency and monoculture thinking One of the biggest takeaways: If your system is producing poor outcomes, the answer isn’t to push people harder—it’s to redesign the system. This conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and even success itself. Connect with Dr. Kathleen Allen: Website: KathleenAllen.net Email: keallen1@charter.net About Parks and Restoration: Parks and Restoration is the podcast for park and conservation professionals who want to lead better—by building stronger teams, healthier organizations, and more impactful work. Through real-world stories and practical insights, we explore how to create environments where both people and ecosystems can thrive.

    58 min

  3. MAR 10

    How to build a workplace people don't want to leave with Marcus Nack | Episode 87

    What makes people want to stay on your team for the long haul? In this episode, Chris is joined by Des Moines County Conservation’s Environmental Education Manager, Marcus Nack, for a conversation about workplace culture, leadership, and the kind of organizational ecosystem that makes people want to stay, grow, and do their best work. The discussion starts with a real example: an intern who came to the team looking for clarity and left saying, “I want to do this forever.” From there, Chris and Marcus unpack what creates that kind of environment—and why great culture is never an accident. Marcus shares his own path into conservation and environmental education, from growing up in suburban Illinois and hunting with his dad in Wisconsin, to college, grad school, camp leadership, and eventually landing in southeast Iowa during the chaos of 2020. Along the way, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership style and why fun, play, reflection, and emotional awareness matter more than most managers realize. The conversation also explores the overlap between leadership and ecology—a theme longtime listeners will recognize. Chris and Marcus talk about how creating a thriving workplace is a lot like creating habitat: when people feel supported, energized, and safe to grow, better outcomes follow. They also dig into Marcus’s approach to leading the education team, including how he uses reflection, after-action reviews, and curiosity instead of blame to help people improve. They also touch on Marcus’s new podcast, Paid Time Outdoors (find it on YouTube and Facebook), which explores how people choose to spend the time they work so hard to earn. It’s a fun side conversation, but one that ties right back into the episode’s bigger point: people thrive when they stay connected to what gives them energy. A few takeaways from this episode: A great workplace is built on trust, fun, and genuine human connection—not just productivity. Reflection matters. Teams improve faster when they regularly ask what worked, what didn’t, and what they can do better next time. Play is not a distraction from growth. It’s often how growth happens. About Parks and Restoration: Parks and Restoration is the podcast for parks and conservation professionals who want to be better leaders for their teams, agencies, and communities. Through conversations on leadership, culture, personal growth, and the work of conservation, the show helps listeners build healthier organizations and more meaningful careers. Learn more at ParksandRestoration.com.

    51 min
  4. How to lead like a burn boss | Episode 86

    FEB 24

    How to lead like a burn boss | Episode 86

    What do prescribed burns have to do with leading a team? More than you’d think. In this episode, Chris and Jeremy break down leadership lessons pulled straight from burn season — burn plans, clear objectives, contingency planning, and the kind of flexibility you need when conditions change. They talk through real examples from recent burns (including an 800-acre day at Hitchcock) and connect the dots to the workplace: performance issues, meetings that drain people, programs you’ve “always done,” and the importance of building a culture where people can question decisions in real time. Key themes in this episode: Disturbance is necessary — in ecosystems and in organizations Clear objectives matter: why this, why now? Share the “why” (internally and publicly) to build trust and reduce confusion Contingencies aren’t pessimism — they’re how you set yourself up for success Plans are meant to guide, not rigidly control: adapt to conditions and seasons of life The ultimate goal: build an organization that can run without you for a while Join the Next Level Leadership community:Go to parksandrestoration.com and drop your email to get updates, leadership insights, and invites to upcoming Zoom meetups. Also find us on Facebook and Instagram — everything points back to parksandrestoration.com. About Parks and Restoration Parks and Restoration is the podcast for parks and conservation professionals who want to become better leaders for their teams, their communities, and future generations. Hosted by Chris Lee and Jeremy Yost, each episode explores leadership through the lens of ecology — blending real stories from the field with practical takeaways you can apply in your agency, your career, and your life.

    43 min
  5. Does everything really need a price tag? Exploring the real value of our parks | Episode 85

    FEB 10

    Does everything really need a price tag? Exploring the real value of our parks | Episode 85

    What’s the ROI of a prairie? A bat you’ll never see? A fence line removed to stitch habitat back together? In this episode, Chris and Jeremy dig into a pressure most parks and conservation leaders feel right now: the growing expectation to put a dollar value on everything—habitat work, land protection, restoration, even species existence. There’s usefulness in ecosystem services and economic arguments… but there are also real limitations (and risks) when money becomes the only language we speak. Discussion points: Why “ecosystem services” keeps showing up in conservation conversations—and hiring interviewsThe core tension: Does nature need to serve humans to be worth protecting?A real-world example: wind energy vs. endangered bats—and how messy “value” gets in practiceThe bald eagle recovery story (and the Rachel Carson backlash) as a reminder that this debate isn’t newWhat we lose when a species disappears: the hidden ecological relationships we don’t even understand yet (passenger pigeon + oak savannas)A better approach than arguing abstract philosophy: local knowledge + relentless storytellingWhy good stewardship starts with intimate knowledge of place—and using your community’s “amateur experts” (birders, herpers, photographers, banders)The Hitchcock/Loess Hills example: removing fence lines to reconnect prairies isn’t just a “project”—it’s landscape-scale restoration people can seeBringing it full circle: you may still need to write grants and justify budgets, but the deeper case is about connection, continuity, and responsibilityJoin the Next Level Leadership Community at ParksandRestoration.com for invites to upcoming live virtual meetups including: Dr. Kathleen Allen, author of Leading from the RootsDr. Nick Askew, UK-based host of the Conservation Careers podcast that explores wildlife conservation internationally.About Parks and Restoration Parks and Restoration is the podcast for parks and conservation professionals who want to lead better—building strong teams, healthier cultures, and thriving public lands. Hosted by Chris Lee (Des Moines County Conservation) and Jeremy Yost (Pottawattamie County Conservation).

    32 min
  6. The origins of "Organizational Ecology" | Episode 84

    JAN 27

    The origins of "Organizational Ecology" | Episode 84

    What if the key to better leadership isn’t “managing harder”…but managing like an ecologist? From a difficult conversation where Chris was told he could be "intimidating" to his questioning whether he was cut out for a leadership role, this episode unpacks Chris' leadership journey and the origins of his Organizational Ecology framework — a leadership approach rooted in the idea that you don’t force results, you create the conditions for people to thrive and let performance follow. Key takeaways: Conservation work is ultimately people work — nothing sustains without humans who care. Leadership isn’t a title or a system; it’s how you show up, especially under pressure. You don’t command ecosystems into productivity — you build habitat. The same is true for teams. The 5 Ps of a thriving organization: People, Perspective, Purpose, Proactive, and Process. Fulfillment and connection are the real “energy sources” that drive performance. Perspective matters: behavior at work is often a symptom of unseen burdens. Proactive leaders slow down reactions and invest in real one-on-one relationships. Want to go deeper? Head over to ParksandRestoration.com Join the Next Level Leadership Community Bring these concepts to your organization through trainings, workshops, or keynotes About Parks and Restoration Parks and Restoration is the show for parks and conservation professionals who want to lead better for their teams, their communities, and future generations. Hosted by Chris Lee and Jeremy Yost, the podcast blends real-world stories, practical leadership tools, and lessons from nature to help organizations - and the people that lead them - thrive.

    48 min
  7. How to build culture with performance evaluations | Episode 83

    JAN 13

    How to build culture with performance evaluations | Episode 83

    What if “performance evaluations” weren’t a dreaded, once-a-year formality… but one of the best tools you have to build culture? In this episode, Chris and Jeremy talk about a different way to look at performance evaluations—less as a grading system, and more as a structured, intentional check-in that helps you understand your people, clarify expectations, and keep the workplace ecosystem healthy. They dig into why annual evals can create recency bias, and why real performance issues should be addressed in real time (not stored up for a “gotcha” conversation months later). They also talk about what makes a performance system work even when it’s informal: clarity on your “why,” a shared way to prioritize work, and regular check-ins that keep your finger on the pulse. Chris shares the review questions he uses (and why), including: What energized you most this year—and what are you most looking forward to next? What could have been better, and how do we improve it? How would you describe our workplace culture? Has it changed? What exemplary work have you seen from coworkers that should be recognized? How did our work deliver on our mission? What do you want to do better going forward—and what resources do you need? How can I (as a leader) be a better resource to help you succeed? What challenges do you expect, and how can you preempt them? A big theme here: culture isn’t built by policies and manuals. It’s built by creating the conditions where people can thrive—and then actually acting on the feedback you invite. Because if you ask for input and nothing changes, you don’t just waste time… you lose trust. Chris also shares a simple leadership “ninja move” that works everywhere: secondhand compliments. When you pass along praise someone heard from someone else, it lands differently—and it reinforces the behavior you want to see repeated. If you’re trying to build a high-performing team without building a fear-based workplace, this episode is for you. Episodes referenced: Finding energy in the work you're wired for (discussion of Working Genius)The power of partnerships (eating elephants reference)Culture eats strategy (and elephants)SPF2 framework for effective recognitionAbout Parks and Restoration Parks and Restoration is a podcast for park professionals, land stewards, and the people doing the often unseen work of caring for public lands and natural resources. We share stories, lessons, and practical ideas to help you lead well, build healthy workplace cultures, and create thriving systems—outdoors and at work.

    48 min
  8. Jessica DeAngelo - Bestselling author of The Wild Advantage: Why your brain on nature is your boldest business move | Episode 82

    12/30/2025

    Jessica DeAngelo - Bestselling author of The Wild Advantage: Why your brain on nature is your boldest business move | Episode 82

    Back in November, we invited the Parks and Restoration Next Level Leader Community to an exclusive meetup with Jessica DeAngelo, author of the new book The Wild Advantage: Why Your Brain on Nature is Your Boldest Business Move. With help from the community, the book hit bestseller status in multiple categories on Amazon. Jessica doesn't have a parks or conservation background. She comes from the corporate world. Yet she discovered the undeniable value of time unplugged in nature and now has built an entire business around connecting business leaders with the very places that parks and conservation people like us strive to provide and protect everyday. This meetup was both insightful and entertaining and we can't wait to see what's next for Jessica and her company, Hike to Become. If you would like invites to future meetups with the community, simply sign up at www.ParksandRestoration.com. Thanks for all you do and we'll chat again in 2026!

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Great parks and healthy landscapes are the products of strong leadership. This show is dedicated to helping you become that leader.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Lee
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Chris Lee
  • Show Website
    Parks and Restoration

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