The Roanoke City Council at their December 18th meeting announced M. Rupert Cutler as the 2023 Citizen of the Year for his unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, wildlife conservation, and community service throughout his remarkable life.
Since 1991, when Cutler became an esteemed resident of Roanoke, he has made significant contributions to the regional community as founding executive director of Virginia’s Explore Park and Western Virginia Land Trust (now Blue Ridge Land Conservancy), and as an adjunct professor of wildlife sciences at Virginia Tech.
Cutler has also demonstrated exceptional civic engagement by serving on the Roanoke City Council for six years, being a founding member of the Western Virginia Water Authority board of directors, and being appointed by Governors Warner and Kaine to two four-year terms on the board of trustees of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
Cutler’s humanitarian endeavors extend to his leadership in the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke where he served as president, chaired the environmental scholarship presentation, and currently co-chairs the club’s signature project, Horton Nature Park.
Cutler holds an undergraduate degree in wildlife management from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from Michigan State University. He has held numerous roles on the national level, including assistant executive director of The Wilderness Society, senior vice president of the National Audubon Society, president (CEO) of Defenders of Wildlife, and U.S. assistant secretary of agriculture for conservation, research, and education.
Roanoke City Council was honored to recognize Cutler for his many contributions, extraordinary accomplishments, and dedication to serving the City of Roanoke and looks forward to Cutler’s efforts as he continues to serve and enhance Roanoke’s community for years come.
