Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner
Commissioner James H. (Jim) Fyke
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
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Jim Fyke was appointed Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) by Governor Phil Bredesen on April 14, 2005. A true parks and conservation professional, Jim brings a distinguished career with more than 40 years of successful public service to this critical post. Commissioner Fyke is a powerful advocate for Tennessee State Parks plus the protection of our land, air and water resources. Under his leadership Tennessee State Parks was selected to receive the National Recreation and Parks Association's 2007 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This prestigious recognition is the highest honor a park system can receive within the industry. Winners demonstrate exceptional performance in long-range planning, resource management, citizen support systems, environmental stewardship, program and professional development and agency recognition.
One of Jim’s key responsibilities is serving as Governor Phil Bredesen’s point person on land conservation issues. Commissioner Fyke has been a primary leader helping the Bredesen Administration and General Assembly establish the new Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund. This new Trust Fund is an important tool for promoting conservation partnerships between public and private parties that protect priority lands and unique natural resources in Tennessee. When he is not discussing conservation opportunities on the Cumberland Plateau or promoting Tennessee State Parks, Commissioner Fyke is quick with a joke or story to make his point. Through his wit, wisdom and experience, Jim Fyke serves as an effective leader for protecting and improving Tennessee’s natural, cultural and historic resources.
Prior to his appointment as TDEC Commissioner, Fyke served the department as Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Conservation since April 2003. Through his leadership as Deputy Commissioner, 14 state parks and facilities previously closed were reopened, and the management structure was reorganized to reflect a regional system that was more responsive to local community needs. Throughout his career, Fyke has placed emphasis on employee involvement in the workplace, and he made it a point to visit every one of Tennessee's 53 state parks within one year of being on the job. Other milestone accomplishments during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner include the development of Tennessee's Five Year State Recreation Plan in 2004 and being asked to spearhead the Governor's Land Conservation Initiative in 2005.
In 2003, Fyke retired from the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation after 25 years leading the Board as Parks Director and 39 years of total service. Under Jim's leadership as Parks Director, Nashville's system increased from 57 to 100 parks and the amount of acreage increased from 5,800 to 10,237. As Nashville's parks received numerous awards and accolades during this period, Jim earned the reputation as an effective manager, partner and steward of the public's recreational assets. Working closely with then Mayor Phil Bredesen, Fyke brought a renewed focus on parks, greenways and trails through a real commitment to adding and expanding green space wherever possible. Over the eight years of the Bredesen Administration in Nashville, more than 2,500 acres of parks and greenways were added in Metro. One of the single-largest additions was along the Cumberland River - the 800-acre urban park and greenway system known as Shelby Bottoms.
Jim is married to Becky, father to Claire, stepfather to Rebecca and Ryan and proud grandfather of three grandchildren: Kacey, Joshua and Andrew. He is a native of Old Hickory, Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
AWARDS:
2008 8th Annual Friends of Radnor Lake Environmental Award 2007 Tennessee Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year 2007 Sierra Club Appreciation Award 2005 Toastmasters International Communication & Leadership Award 2003 Tennessee Golf Foundation Person of the Year 2003 Nashville Tree Foundation’s Best Friend Award 2002 Youth Incorporated Award for dedication to youth sports 2001 Nashville Sports Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award for superior achievements in the world of sports in the Nashville area. 2001 Best Friend Award from Friends of Warner Parks organization for outstanding and dedicated service to the Warner Parks. 1982 Fellow Award for outstanding service and contributions to the Parks and Recreation Profession in Tennessee
CURRENT BOARD MEMBERSHIPS:
- TVA Regional Resource Stewardship Council
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission
- Nashville Sports Council
- Nashville Predators Foundation
