A longtime ranger and naturalist will be stepping into the role of executive director for Keokuk County Conservation this week.

Richland native Curtis “Pie” Reighard is assuming the role following the retirement of Dave Long. Working in county conservation requires wearing many hats according to Reighard, “What’s unique about it is we get to do multiple things and we get to put on multiple faces. And then you may do something in law enforcement, and then two hours later you may be giving a program to a third grade elementary class.”

Reighard has worked for the conservation board for almost 20 years. He says it takes a special kind of person to work for county conservation, and the conservation board has been in no short supply of the special people who staff the county’s parks and recreation areas. Stratton Bond, a Keokuk County native, has been hired to replace Reighard as ranger/naturalist.