Oral History with M. Rupert Cutler, November 28, 2023 (Ms2020-005)
subject: Forests and forestry
description: M. Rupert Cutler was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan in 1933. Following his father's alma mater, he attended the University of Michigan and received his Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management in 1955. His love for environmentalism and resource management, led him to pursue both a Master's and PhD in resource management in later years. Cutler's career in wilderness started prior to the completion of his PhD. In 1957, he started his post of the executive secretary of Wildlife Conservation Incorporated in Boston. Throughout the years, he served as the associate editor of Virginia Wildlife, editor for the National Wildlife Federation, and the assistant executive director of the Wilderness Society. Upon finishing his PhD, he became an assistant professor, and going on to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Conservation, Research, and Education under the Carter Administration. He arrived in Southwest Virginia in January of 1991, when he moved to Roanoke, Virginia to serve as the executive director of Virginia's Explore Park. From 1997 until 2010, he continued to work in Virginia's natural resources, including (but not limited to) land conservation, Natural Parks, and waste water treatment. In this oral history interview, Cutler covers his long career, how he arrived in Roanoke, VA, and his work serving Southwest Virginia for 30 years. Throughout the interview, his service and passion is evident as he has dedicated his life to environmentalism, and better the community through it.
date: 2023-11-28
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
type: Oral histories

Explore Park Spring 1992
description: A video taken of site selection and barn raising on Explore Park property in Spring of 1992.
creator: Cutler, M. Rupert
source: See the finding aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers.
date: 1992
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Blue Ridge Nightline on Explore Park
description: An interview conducted with Dr. Cutler talking about Explore Park and its services. First aired May 5, 1996.
creator: Cutler, M. Rupert
source: See the finding aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers.
date: May 1996
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Explore Park Video 10 Minutes
description: A promotional video created to advertise Explore Park in Roanoke, Virginia.
creator: Cutler, M. Rupert
source: See the finding aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers.
date: 1990s
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Bicycling Advocacy Award
subject: Awards
description: An award presented by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club to Cutler to acknowledge his work on the Roanoke City Council to make Roanoke more bicycle friendly
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May 2010
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Kiwanis Club Members
description: Dr. Cutler and other Roanoke Kiwanis Club members display their white containers with hearts on them
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2020
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Explore Park Map
description: Dr. Cutler points to a map of Explore Park during a speech
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2020
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Michigan State University Alumni Event
description: A detailed itinerary for an event honoring the alumni of Michigan State University
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: July- Aug. 2018
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Hollins University Event
description: Dr. Cutler stands with the president of Hollins University Pareena Lawrence at a University event
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb.- Mar. 2018
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

20th Anniversary of Cutler Hall Speech
description: A copy of the speech given by Dr. Cutler at the ceremony celebrating the 200th Aniversary of a building named after his ancestor Manasseh Cutler at Ohio University.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct.- Dec. 2016
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Cutler Hall 200th
description: A photograph of Dr. Cutler giving a speech at the 200th Aniversary event for a building named after his ancestor Manasseh Cutler at Ohio University.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct.- Dec. 2016
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Natchez Trace Trip Itinerary
description: A detailed itinerary of events for the Natchez Trace trip taken by Dr. Cutler and Brenda McDaniels
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Apr.- May 2016
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Taubman Art Musem Event
description: Dr. Cutler poses with other galley attendees at an event at the Taubman Art Museum
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Jan.- Feb. 2016
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Kiwanis Club Former Presidents
description: Dr. Cutler poses with two other former presidents of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Jan.- Feb. 2016
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

William Preston Memorial Project Event Award Presentation
subject: Awards
description: Dr. Cutler poses with the certificate and medal recognizing his work on the William Preston Memorial Project
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Jan.- Feb. 2016
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Amalfi Coast Trip Itinerary
description: A detailed itinerary of events for the Alumni Campus Abroad trip to the Amalfi Coast
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct.- Nov. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Certificate of Achievement
subject: Awards
description: An award presented to Dr. Cutler for completing the Alumni Campus Abroad Program.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct.- Nov. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Amalfi Coast Trip
description: A picture of Dr. Cutler on the Amalfi Coast during a vacation.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct.- Nov. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Amalfi Coast Trip
description: A picture of Dr. Cutler and Brenda McDaniel on the Amalfi Coast during a vacation
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct.- Nov. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

William Preston Memorial Project Event
description: Dr. Cutler stands at a podium and gives a high five to another member of the Sons of the American Revolution
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Aug.- Sept. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

William Preston Memorial Project Event
description: Dr. Cutler stands with two other members of the Sons of the American Revolution at the Phase I completion celebration
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Aug.- Sept. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Program for the Phase I Completion of the William Preston Memorial Project
description: The program for the event celebrating the completion of Phase I of the William Preston Memorial Project
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Aug.- Sept. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

William Preston Memorial Status Report
description: A status report given by Dr. Cutler to members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who helped to fundraise for the William Preston Memorial
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Aug.- Sept. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Remarks Given at the Completion of the First Phase of the William Preston Memorial Project
description: A script of Dr. Cutler's remarks at the ceremony commemorating the completion of Phase I of the Willaim Preston Memorial Project
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Aug.- Sept. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Rupert Cutler and Brenda McDaniel Marry
description: A photograph taken after the marriage of Rupert Cutler and Brenda McDaniel.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Apr.- May 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Rupert Cutler and Brenda McDaniel Marry
description: A photograph taken after the marriage of Rupert Cutler and Brenda McDaniel.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Apr.- May 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Greenways Event
description: Dr. Cutler and Liz Belcher stand together at an event celebrating the Roanoke Greenways
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Mar.- Apr. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Pacific Northwest Trip Itinerary
description: A detailed itinerary of Dr. Cutler and Brenda McDaniel's trip to the Pacific Northwest
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Mar.- Apr. 2015
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

William Preston Memorial Groundbreaking Event
description: A group photo of members of the Sons of the American Revolution who were involved in the William Preston Memorial Project
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: July- Aug. 2014
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

National Forest Service Presentation
description: Dr. Cutler giving a presentation to members of the National Forest Service
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: July- Aug. 2014
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Certificate of Appreciation
subject: City planning
subject: Awards
description: A certificate of appreciation for Dr. Cutler's service on the Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: June 2014
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Arts Commission Agenda
description: A marked up agenda for the Roanoke Arts Commission
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May 2014
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Presentation
description: A script for a presentation to the Roanoke City COuncil on behalf of the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2014
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Local Hero Award
description: A certificate for the nomination of Dr. Rupert Cutler for the Community School's Local Hero Award
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2014
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Feral Cats Correspondence
description: Correspondence between Dr. Cutler and another Roanoke resident about the feral cat issue in the City of Roanoke.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May- June 2013
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Saint Mary's Wilderness
description: Dr. Cutler stands with the sign for the Saint Mary's Wilderness area of the George Washington National Forest
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Kiwanis Club Cleanup Day
description: A group photo of Roanoke Kiwanis Club members who participated in a clean up event in the city
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Oct. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Keep the Ban Sticker
description: An anti-uranium mining sticker
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: July- Aug. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Keep the Ban Pamphlet
description: A pamphlet produced to educate Virginians about the potential dangers of uranium mining in the state
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: July- Aug. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Map of the Carvin's Cove Trail System
description: A map of the nature trails established in the Carvins Cove area of Roanoke.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May- June 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Donation of Money Towards the "Bridging the Gap" Campaign
description: A resolution passed by Roanoke City Council approving funding to connect the Bridge Street and Salem sections of the Roanoke River Greenway.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May- June 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

River Greenway Status Report
description: Notes made by Dr. Cutler during a meeting with a City of Roanoke Engineer about the Roanoke River Greenway.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May- June 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Greenways "Bridging the Gap"
description: A report on the status of the greenways in the City of Roanoke.
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May- June 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Roanoke Kiwanis Club Presidential Reception
description: Rupert Cutler and Pam Kestner at the reception for the Kiwanis International president
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: June 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Tree Plaque
subject: Awards
description: The plaque associated with the commemmorative tree planted in honor of Dr. Cutler's service on the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Birdwatching in the Park
description: Dr. Cutler stands with another man by the sign for Brown-Robertson Park, where they had been birdwatching
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: May 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Sons of the American Revolution Virginia Chapter Service Medal Certificate
subject: Awards
description: A certificate awarded to Dr. Cutler for his service to the chapter and the Roanoke community
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Mar. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Councilman Cutler
description: Dr. Cutler gives a speech as a Roanoke City Council member
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

The Gathright Wildlife Management Area
description: Dr. Cutler stands by the sign of the Gathright Wildlife Management Area, where he was birdwatching
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Rupert Cutler Holds a Tree
description: Dr. Cutler stands holding onto a tree in the woods
creator: M. Rupert Cutler
source: See the Finding Aid for the M. Rupert Cutler Papers
date: Feb. 2012
rights: Permission to publish material from the M. Rupert Cutler Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.