Rich became Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in January 2007.   Prior to the DNR, he was the Executive Director of the Iowa Environmental Council. He has held a variety of biologist, naturalist, and administrative positions within the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Minnesota and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

From 1999-2002, Rich served as the coordinator for IOWATER, Iowa's statewide volunteer water-quality monitoring program. He also helped develop a new citizen advocacy program termed the Iowa Conservation Advocates' and Leaders' Link (I-CALL) for the Iowa Environmental Council.

Rich holds an M.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. He obtained his B.S. in biology from Minnesota State University and an Associates Degree in natural resources technology from Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota. 

Rich is active in many conservation organizations. He was the past chairperson of the Iowa Conservation Education Council and is a past recipient of the Izaak Walton League of America's "National Honor Roll Award."

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