Staff Spotlight: NWTF Foresters

NWTF foresters serve as technical advisors, educators and partners. They help turn conservation visions into reality — and those visions help wild turkeys and other wildlife thrive. Here are some of the foresters that bring the initiative to life:  

Tyler Rodes, Missouri NFI Forester 

For Missouri native Tyler Rodes, hunting and fishing is more than just a hobby — it’s a passion. Introduced to outdoor pursuits as a young age, Rodes has continued to grow his love for hunting, specifically turkey and deer hunting.  

“The outdoors is a huge part of my life and has been since I was a kid hanging out with my grandpa on our family farm,” Rodes said. “My childhood was focused around being outdoors. I was on the farm or riding my bike to the creek every chance I had.” 

Rodes cites his grandfather as the ignitor for his passion for the outdoors, as he was introduced to all things outdoors through him.  

“As I always tell people, my grandfather got ahold of me at a young age and introduced me to my passion for the outdoors,” Rodes said. “He had a farm that was half an hour from my house growing up, and it was everything a kid could want. He taught me how to hunt, fish and proper gun safety at an early age. My grandfather passed away when I was 11, but the appreciation for the outdoors he started in me had already taken hold. While my dad was not much of a hunter or fisherman, looking back he always made the time to support me in my love for being out at the farm until I was old enough to do things myself.” 

That early support, combined with a deepening appreciation for conservation, shaped Rodes’ path. Surrounded by like-minded individuals throughout his upbringing, he eventually chose to pursue a career in conservation, attending the University of Missouri where he graduated with a dual undergraduate degree in forestry, fisheries and wildlife management. 

“As I got older, I realized to be there is more to it than just the fun of fishing and hunting,” Rodes said. “There is a need for conservation to ensure that the love of hunting, fishing and outdoors can be passed down to future generations, as it was for me. What started as a young kid wanting to better the deer and turkey hunting on the family farm, turned into a me building my college choices and adult career around conservation and creating a passion for helping other landowners reach their own conservation goals.” 

After college, Rodes worked as a private consulting forester in central Missouri and as a Farm Bill biologist for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever before landing his dream job with the NWTF as a National Forestry Initiative forester based in Missouri. As a partner employee for the NRCS, Rodes covers 27 counties across the northwest portion of the state, acting as a technical resource to help implement NRCS Farm Bill Programs on private lands. 

“I work almost exclusively with private landowners who want to improve forestry and wildlife habitat on their property,” Rodes said. “Many of the landowners would not be able to complete the habitat management on as large of a scale as they do if it weren’t for the cost share dollars that Farm Bill programs provide.” 

Rodes’ work embodies NWTF’s dual mission: conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage. Through habitat management, he helps improve habitat for turkeys and other wildlife while supporting the outdoor traditions that shaped his own life. 

 “I work with hundreds of private landowners across northwest Missouri,” Rodes said. “These are people who want to actively manage their land to improve the wildlife habitat for turkey, deer and other wildlife. Many voice their concern about declining turkey populations and hold the belief that if we can get quality habitat on the ground the turkeys will respond to it. I truly believe the work I am doing will help the wild turkey persist for generations to come.” 

With spring turkey season underway, Rodes has already received photos from proud landowners sharing youth hunt success stories — living proof that the next generation is accessing the rewards of conservation. 

Looking ahead, Rodes envisions a lifelong career in conservation. He hopes to continue growing in the field and one day transition into a leadership role, supporting other foresters and ensuring they have the tools to succeed. 

“Every day I feel lucky to be chosen for the NWTF National Forestry Initiative position,” Rodes said. “It is a perfect fit for me, because it allows me to share my passion for the outdoors and be able to help landowners across the state to improve the wildlife habitat on their properties. Building those relationships and creating friendships is very fulfilling.” 

His advice to aspiring conservationists is simple but meaningful: stay committed and build your network. 

“Not every job will be your dream job, but every step will take you closer to it if you work hard and build a good reputation for yourself,” Rodes said. “Networking and creating quality working relationships with your colleagues is so important and can bring you opportunities you never saw coming.” 

Amy Oehlman, Indiana NFI Forester 

Like many who find their calling in conservation, Oehlman’s love for the outdoors took root early, shaped by countless hours exploring public lands in her youth. Today, she continues to embrace the natural world through hiking, rock climbing, birding, kayaking and camping adventures with her family. This spring, however, marks a new chapter in her outdoor journey —Oehlman will embark on her very first turkey hunt. 

“I’m really excited this year to have my first turkey hunting experience,” Oehlman said. “I’ve been inspired by my family, people within this organization and landowners I’ve worked with to finally step into this challenge. Spring is my favorite time to be in the woods, so I’m looking forward to further immersing myself in this season and hopeful to have success in harvesting a turkey!” 

Through her passion for the outdoors, Oehlman was drawn to a career in conservation, majoring in Forestry at Purdue University. Oehlman’s career path in forestry was shaped by early experiences exploring the outdoors and reinforced by her mentors. 

“I have had great mentors early in my career that have helped me carve out my role in the world of forestry and conservation,” Oehlman said. “There are so many careers in the outdoors that I wasn’t aware of till I was in school for it.” 

Joining the NWTF in 2022, Oehlman works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in south-central Indiana to provide technical assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners interested in Farm Bill programs. Whether she’s writing forest management plans, providing training on forestry practices or even just walking a property with a landowner, Oehlman continues to make an impact on wildlife conservation. In addition to these duties, Oehlman also represents the mission of the NWTF. 

“In my position I help forestry landowners get conservation practices on the ground,” Oehlman said. “The biggest motivator for the individuals that I work with is improving wildlife habitat. Removing invasives, forest stand improvement, tree plantings, creating feathered edges, and other practices offered by NRCS help to improve habitat by encouraging a more resilient woodland and a mosaic of habitat types across a property and landscape,” she said. “And what we do to improve habitat conditions, whether targeting the wild turkey or not, often directly or indirectly benefit our turkey populations.” 

Though she’s still early in her career, Oehlman is passionate about the work and candid about the challenges facing young professionals in conservation. 

“I think that right now is a really hard time to be early in your career or interested in conservation,” Oehlman said.  “But I think it also continues to be more important than ever. People don’t get into conservation for the money or the glamor of the job. You must have a real passion for the work you do. If you have that passion, stay the course; it will be work, but it will be rewarding. And this sector needs you.” 

Her advice?  

“Get out there. Shadow people, ask questions and get your hands dirty.” 

Chase Seals, Illinois State Forester 

Foresters like Chase Seals play a critical role in delivering conservation across both public and private lands. Their work reaches beyond tree lines, impacting the lives of landowners, hunters and entire communities who care deeply about the land and the wildlife that depend on it. For Seals conservation is more than a profession — it’s the realization of a lifelong calling deeply rooted in early experiences and shaped by family tradition. 

“I was immersed in the outdoors growing up in rural Alabama,” said Seals. “Some of my fondest memories are from fishing and hunting with my grandpa. My family taught me how to read deer sign and understand how animals use the land — things that seemed small at the time but shaped the foundation of how I see the natural world today.” 

While Seals' early years were filled with deer hunts and fishing trips, turkey hunting didn’t come into the picture until his late teens — but it left an immediate mark. 

“My cousin Scott took me turkey hunting for the first time,” he said. “When the first longbeard came in, and I got to watch him strutting, spitting and drumming and glistening in the sunlight, I was hooked for life.” 

It was this experience turkey hunting that lit a fire in Seals to pursue a career working in the outdoors. Fueled by a desire to turn his passion into a profession, Seals earned a bachelor's degree in wildlife ecology and management from Auburn University, followed by a master’s in natural resources with a focus on forestry. This combination of academic training and real-world experience has allowed him to transition from an outdoorsman to a conservation professional with a clear, lasting impact. 

“These degrees allowed me to enhance my naive understand of habitat management into a working skill set I still use and improve upon to this day,” Seals said. “In short, the outdoors and conservation have been in my blood all my life, but I now have a firm understanding and can make impacts with my knowledge.” 

In 2019, Seals joined the flock as a forester and certified wildlife biologist for the NWTF based in southern Illinois. His role is uniquely split between two key partnerships: the NRCS and the USDA Forest Service. 

 “In the 17 southernmost counties of Illinois, I work directly with NRCS offices to provide private landowners with forest and wildlife technical assistance,” Seals explained. “I also support the Shawnee National Forest, helping manage the public lands they’re entrusted with. That partnership is especially important — it allows for conservation work that might not otherwise happen due to limited resources.” 

Whether he's walking a private woodland with a landowner or implementing habitat projects on public lands, Seals is helping bring NWTF’s mission to life — conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage. 

“My position supports NWTF’s mission in multiple ways,” Seals said. “The first and most obvious is habitat management. The work I accomplish yields conserved and influenced acres, while improving habitat for turkeys and a wide variety of wildlife. Second, I put on and attend workshops where I present habitat and management knowledge to landowners, so that they are more informed and can make the right management decisions on their properties. My position helps to spread valuable habitat and management information, captures conserved and influenced acres, and helps to manage public property for our generation and the generations to come.” 

As for the future, Seals is laser focused on the impact he can make. 

“I have just been enjoying my career thus far and haven’t thought about the future,” Seals said. “I do not know where my path will take me or what level I may achieve one day. Regardless of my future title, I aspire to be a good forester, wildlife biologist and mentor to those that I can. So many mentored me along my way, that I feel returning that gesture to all that I can is the best way to have more of an impact than reaching a high professional title.” 

To those dreaming of a life working in conservation, Seals offers this advice: 

“Chase your dreams,” he said. “Work hard every day for what you want. I helped start the Auburn University NWTF Student Chapter, and the more I got involved, the more I realized how much I wanted to work for the NWTF. Fast forward through college and three years as a forester in Alabama, I accepted a role with NWTF and have been here for 5 years and counting. Proof that dreams do come true, but you must work at it every day.” 

Kylie Hammett, South Dakota State Forester

Raised immersed in the outdoors, Hammett developed a great love and respect for wildlife. Her early experiences hunting and fishing with her family built a deep-rooted love for nature that would shape her life and career.  

“I have always loved being outside,” Hammett said. “I was raised with hunting and fishing always being a big thing in my life because that was family time in my house. From a ride through the woods to a day on the lake, my family has always been the outdoorsy type. I’ve always loved wildlife, and I wanted to go into a field where I could work closely with nature.” 

Today, Hammett brings that lifelong connection to the outdoors into her role as an NWTF South Dakota forester. Based in the Black Hills, she works in partnership with the NRCS and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to help private landowners manage and improve their forestland. Her work focuses on writing forest management plans that support wildlife habitat, forest health, wildfire mitigation and landowner goals. 

“I get to speak to many different types of people and share my story and passion for the outdoors,” Hammett said. “I view everyone I meet as an opportunity to talk about the NWTF, what we stand for and what we do for the outdoors. If I can educate someone about the outdoors, conservation or wild turkeys, that’s a great day for me.” 

Like many women in conservation and natural resource careers, Hammett has faced challenges in a traditionally male-dominated field. 

“In college, I was one of just a few women in my forestry classes,” she recalls. “It was tough at times, but now I’m fortunate to work alongside a growing number of women in conservation. It’s really inspiring to work with women who have been in the conservation field and get to learn from them and have their support in my career.” 

Looking ahead, Kylie hopes to inspire more people, especially the next generation, to connect with nature and experience the life-changing power of the outdoors.  

“Teaching folks, young and old, about the outdoors and inspiring them to get outside — that’s the whole goal,” Hammett said. 

Her advice for anyone considering a career in conservation?  

“Go for it,” Hammett said. “Be curious and stay open-minded. There are many paths to take in this field, and you may find the perfect one without even knowing what you’re looking for.” 

At the NWTF, it’s people like our foresters who make real, lasting impacts — not just on the land, but on the lives of everyone who treasures the outdoors. We are proud to spotlight their essential work and celebrate the difference they make every day for wild turkeys, wildlife and the future of conservation.