Jasmine Cutter ’13 restores grasslands at Grand Teton National Park
Inspired by working as a student in the Arb, Cutter now works at Grand Teton National Park.

In the heart of North America’s vast landscape, environmental stewardship plays a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance between human activity and natural ecosystems. One individual contributing to this crucial work is Jasmine Cutter ’13, an environmental studies major whose dedication to ecological restoration is helping preserve these lands for future generations.

Cutter’s journey into environmental work began unexpectedly at Carleton, as they were not initially aware of Carleton’s Cowling Arboretum (aka the Arb) when they first visited. The Arb, however, would soon become a pivotal force in Cutter’s life. Cutter became deeply engaged with wildlife at Carleton as a student naturalist and researcher with Nancy Braker ’81, Puzak Family Director of the Cowling Arboretum and senior lecturer in biology. What started as a work-study opportunity soon evolved into a profound connection with the local prairie.
“I fell in love with prairies pretty quickly,” said Cutter, reflecting on the transformative impact of hands-on experiences in the Arb. “I’ve kept working in grasslands ever since.”
This passion for grasslands led them to a year-long fellowship in Nebraska after graduating from Carleton, where they deepened their understanding of restoration ecology.
“Plants are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Cutter. Beneath is a soil waiting to be discovered. This realization shaped their approach to the nuanced work of environmental restoration, particularly in sagebrush ecosystems.
Cutter’s current role at Grand Teton National Park involves a wide range of responsibilities, from running a native seed program to managing revegetation and restoration projects. Despite the park’s appearance of untamed wilderness, considerable effort goes into restoring areas impacted by human activity and ensuring that these ecosystems function ecologically.

“People often don’t realize the behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping a park healthy,” said Cutter.
The mission of the park is to conserve the area for current and future generations. Cutter interprets the park’s mission as including conserving the genetics of the plants so that future generations can see the same lineage. To honor this, all the seeds used in restoration practices are native seeds collected by hand from the park. In this way, the genetic integrity of the park’s plant species are conserved.
Working in ecological restoration comes with its share of challenges, many of which are tied to the unpredictability of nature. This past year, for instance, an unexpected frost wiped out an entire generation of sunflowers. Cutter sees these challenges as opportunities for learning and adaptation, embracing the unpredictability that comes with working in dynamic environments.
“Every time I think I know what’s going to happen, the weather surprises me,” said Cutter. “We also get seasonal staff with varying levels of experience, making it hard to plan in advance.” Life in Grand Teton National Park always keeps Cutter on their toes.
One of the highlights of their work has been seeing the rapid success of a specific restoration project.

“The soil is really good there, and it looks phenomenal for a two-year-old restoration project,” said Cutter. “It is already flowering and going to seed, which is unusual. It’s nice to see the fruits of our labor so quickly.”
In addition to Cutter’s restoration work, they also find joy in educating others. Hosting volunteer days and introducing service groups to the species they are collecting is a way to share their passion and knowledge. Through this work, Cutter is building upon previous experience organizing volunteers while working as a student naturalist in the Arb.
As Cutter continues their work in ecological restoration, they remain committed to paying it forward.
“I benefited from mentors, and I’m happy to be a resource for others,” said Cutter.