New CFM director values 'moments of pure joy' in the outdoors

Tyler Schwartze was recently named as the new executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
Tyler Schwartze was recently named as the new executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Tyler Schwartze grew up, and continues to live, among the great outdoors.

He said his latest job as the new executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri is "the perfect nest" for him to do what he's passionate about.

The CFM's work includes programs such as Share the Harvest and the Conservation Leadership Corps, as well as being "the leading organization for defending against legislation detrimental to Missouri's natural resources and outdoor heritage," according to informational material from the CFM.

The CFM forms an umbrella over almost 100 affiliate organizations that represent groups with an interest in ensuring "conservation of Missouri's wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state's rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships," as the CFM's mission describes.

Schwartze said the opportunity to visit and work with that broad array of groups is the most exciting part about his new job - groups include fishers; hunters; foresters; hikers; bird, park and waterway conservationists; taxidermists; trappers; and outdoor sports enthusiasts, among others.

Schwartze grew up on the Gasconade River in Vienna, fishing crappie, catfish and suckerfish, and hunting deer and turkey.

"That's what's so neat to me," he said of seeing people's interactions with the outdoors - "moments of pure joy. Those are irreplaceable to me."

He is a 2001 Maries Co. R-1 School District graduate. He then studied recreation management at the University of Central Missouri, where he graduated in 2005.

Schwartze worked for Missouri State Parks for more than a decade - part of that time as an events coordinator - then was an events coordinator for CFM from 2017 until he was named executive director in March.

He lives on 40 acres of land in Tebbetts with his wife and three children. The fish in the lake on their land are their only pets, but deer and turkeys do come up to the house, he said.

In addition to his position with CFM, he's also part of professional organizations in Jefferson City and is active at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Holts Summit, where he's a third-degree Knight of Columbus.

Stewardship goes hand in hand with conservation, and "being able to make a difference" is important to him in "preserving what we have for the next generation" in Missouri.

"We're the envy of every other state," Schwartze said of Missouri's dedicated sales taxes for parks and soils and the Missouri Department of Conservation - which he said makes things like free-access parks and boat ramps possible. Also, CFM spearheaded the passage of a sales tax for the Conservation Department, according to informational material.

Schwartze said Roaring River State Park near the Arkansas border in far southwestern Missouri is his favorite state park - which, despite the name, is a spring-fed trout fishery, Schwartze said.

His favorite conservation area is Reform Conservation Area in Callaway County - more than 6,700 acres of openlands, forest and a small portion of Missouri River floodplain, all surrounding Ameren Missouri's Callaway Nuclear Plant. The area is popular for deer and turkey hunting, as well as known for collecting blackberries in the summer.

Any advice for people who are thinking about studying recreation management?

"Following your passion is important," Schwartze said, as is networking. He added, "There's really no substitute for hard work."