​We are excited to welcome special guests, The honorable and Mrs. William H. Frist, MD, to our 2026 Conservation Celebration!

​Senator Bill Frist, MD, is a heart and lung transplant surgeon and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader. Representing Tennessee in the United States Senate from 1995 to 2007, he now serves as Global Board Chair of The Nature Conservancy, the world’s largest conservation organization.

Tracy Frist is an educator, businesswoman, conservationist, and storyteller dedicated to advancing literacy, cultural awareness, historic
preservation, and human-animal relationships.
​She is Founder, Owner and Operator at The Farm at Sinking Creek in Craig County.
2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
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Dr. M. Rupert Cutler, the first executive director of Blue Ridge Land Conservancy from 1997- 1999, will receive a lifetime achievement award. Dr. Cutler has also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the board of the Western Virginia Water Authority, and the Roanoke City Council. He also served as executive director of Explore Park from 1991-1997. A Detroit native, he previously served in the Carter administration and also worked for such organizations as the Wilderness Society, the National Audubon Society, and Defenders of Wildlife. Rupert has left his mark on conservation in the region, most notably at the City of Roanoke’s two marquee parks: Mill Mountain and Carvins Cove. A tireless advocate of permanent protection of both parks, his dreams came to fruition over the past two years as the Roanoke City Council placed conservation easements on both parks.
Check back here for ticket sales!

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact David Perry at [email protected] or 540-985-0000 x 1
​Click here to read about past recipients of the A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award.
Click here to read about past recipients of the Land Saver Award.
Click here to read about past recipients of special awards.

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!

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