After a decade of service, Michael Cox will move on from his role as the Story County Conservation director and embark on a new journey at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

At Iowa DNR, Cox told the Ames Voice he will be responsible for leadership of the parks, forests and preserves bureau.

“This will bring opportunities to assist DNR staff and partners statewide in offering outdoor recreation opportunities and protection of Iowa’s special places in nature for all Iowans and visitors to our state,” Cox said in an email to the Ames Voice. “This opportunity also gives my wife and I the ability to move to my family farm in southern Iowa and be close to our kids and grandchildren.”

His last day at Story County is Thursday.

As he leaves Story County, he said he’s proud of the projects he and his team have accomplished during his time as director.

“The Conservation team (our leaders, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters) is unparalleled. This team brings forward long-lasting improvements in all arenas of its charge,” Cox said. “And Story County residents have overwhelmingly voiced their desire to fund additional environmental and quality of life improvements. This greater team has made remarkable improvements to our quality of life and our natural resources.”

The memories he looks back on are of the people in Story County — those who came together as a team to support each other and make Story County a better place, Cox said.

The search for a new director will begin immediately.