M. Rupert Cutler, Ph.D.
Retired conservationist

Rupert Cutler of Roanoke is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has an undergraduate degree in wildlife management from the University of Michigan and a doctor of philosophy degree from the Department of Resource Development of Michigan State University.

He has been the editor of the Virginia Game Department’s magazine, Virginia Wildlife, managing editor of the National Wildlife Federation’s magazine, National Wildlife, assistant executive director of The Wilderness Society, senior vice president of the National Audubon Society, executive director of Population-Environment Balance, and president of Defenders of Wildlife.

After obtaining his Ph.D. degree in 1972, he joined the Michigan State University faculty as assistant professor of resource development and extension specialist in natural resources policy. In 1977, President Carter appointed him assistant secretary of agriculture for conservation, research, and education. From 1977 through 1980 he provided policy direction to the U.S. Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, and the Department of Agriculture’s research, extension, and library agencies.

Since 1991, Dr. Cutler has resided in Roanoke where he served as founding executive director of both Virginia’s Explore Park and the Western Virginia Land Trust. Since retiring in 1999 he has served on several nonprofit agency boards and citizen advisory committees and as president of the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke. He was a member of the board of directors of the Western Virginia Water Authority for five years and chairman of that board for two years. He was elected to a four-year term on Roanoke City Council in 2002 and was appointed to Roanoke City Council in 2009 to complete a term ending in June 2010.

He was appointed by Governors Warner and Kaine to two four-year terms on the board of trustees of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. He is an adjunct member of the James Madison University faculty. He and his wife Gladys live in downtown Roanoke.

Presentation

Keeping the Parkway’s Ecosystem Healthy: The National Park Service Can’t Do It Alone

The plants and animals native to the lands and waters lying within the narrow confines of the Blue Ridge Parkway are extremely vulnerable to adverse influences. Some species have a tenuous hold on life there. An aggressive campaign to protect essential habitats, both within the Parkway and on adjoining lands through conservation easements and other forms of cooperation, represents an exciting opportunity for partnerships among governments and private entities including land trusts and public-spirited businesses. Working together, they can sustain the Parkway’s ecosystems while helping to improve local economies.