For more information, contact:

Leesa Brandon
Executive Director and NC Coordinator
Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc.
828.271.4779, x 224

In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment’s symposium about the future of the Parkway will feature keynote speaker Richard Louv, whose book Last Child in the Woods introduced America to the threat of a new generation with “nature-deficit disorder.”

Louv will speak about his work to build a movement connecting today’s children and future generations to the natural world and the restorative power of nature. His remarks are part of “Imagining the Blue Ridge Parkway for the 21st Century: Sustaining Communities, Environments, and Economies,” a symposium October 14-16 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in Roanoke, VA. Louv’s address will take place the evening of October 15.

Also speaking during the event will be Peter Jenkins, one of the nation’s most popular and celebrated explorers and authors, whose book A Walk Across America captured the journey of a disillusioned young man in the 1970s across the United States. Jenkins travels led him to a re-discovery of his faith in America and himself and has inspired generations since to explore and learn about our country. He has since written widely about his unquenchable love of travel and learning around the world.

Former Assistant Director for American Indian Relations at the National Park Service, Gerard Baker, who will speak at Friday’s luncheon, was featured prominently in Ken Burns’s film series for Public Broadcasting, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Baker, who grew up on the Mandan-Hidatsa Tribe’s reservation in North Dakota, most recently served as superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Also scheduled to speak is Carlton Abbott, son of Stanley Abbott, the landscape architect who designed the Parkway and was its first superintendent. Abbott will discuss the original intent of the Parkway and how it was created. Parkway Chief of Resource Planning Gary Johnson will highlight the importance of the Parkway communities’ role in conserving the corridor.

Conference sessions will explore how the social, environmental, and economic implications affect the sustainability of the Parkway. Speakers include Ricky Cox, an associate of the Appalachian Regional Studies Center at Radford University; David Gantt, chairman of the Buncombe County, NC, Board of Commissioners; and Rupert Cutler, former US assistant secretary of agriculture for conservation, research, and education. Cutler was also executive director of Virginia’s Explore Park, founding executive director of the Western Virginia Land Trust, and board member of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.

Bob Smith, associate dean for outreach at Virginia Tech and chair of the symposium, emphasizes the conference is not just geared for government officials, policy makers, academics, tourism and community leaders, and businesses affiliated with the Parkway, but towards anyone with an interest in securing the future of the Blue Ridge Parkway. “Discussions not only will center on how to work together for a sustainable future but also will have relevance to linear parks and greenways elsewhere across the country,” said Smith.

The symposium is also supported by Norfolk Southern Foundation, Roanoke County, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

For more information and to register, visit the symposium web page. Individuals interested in staying at The Hotel Roanoke must make their reservations by September 13. The conference registration deadline is September 24.

Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. is the non-profit organization designated by the National Park Service to lead the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary celebration. With representation from all of the Parkway’s partner groups, the states of North Carolina and Virginia, and community leaders along the 469-mile scenic route, Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc.’s mission is to engage local communities and all visitors in an anniversary that focuses attention on a sustainable and healthy Parkway for future generations. For more information, visit blueridgeparkway75.org.