About Al

Al is 60. He and his wife of 23 years, Christine, have lived in the same North Seattle home since 1984. After Al's father, a union machinist, died when Al was eleven, he was raised by his single mom, a public school secretary.

Al put himself through college earning three degrees in history and government, including a Ph.D. He has taught at five different institutions of higher learning and is the author of five books.

Currently, he is an advisor to Ken Burns for an upcoming PBS television series on the national parks. An internationally recognized environmentalist, Professor Runte was keynote speaker in 2006 at the Fourth Brazilian Congress on Parks and Protected Areas.

Al (Standing, Center) takes a ride in a recently restored Yellowstone tour bus while consulting for the renowned national park.
  • A History of Environmental Leadership:
    • The Center for the Study of the Environment, New York, New York, Board of Directors, 1995-present, and Vice President, 2006-present.
    • Fundação O Boticário de Proteção à Natureza, Curitiba, Brazil, Editorial Board, Natureza & Conservação, 2002-present.
    • National Parks and Conservation Association, Washington, D.C., National Council, 1998-2001.
    • National Parks and Conservation Association, Washington, D.C., Board of Trustees, 1991-1997.
    • Susquehanna Conservation Council, Broome County, New York. Board of Directors, 1966-1970.
    • National Park Service, Yosemite National Park, California. Park Training Technician and Ranger Historian/Naturalist (seasonal), 1980-1983.
  • A History of Leadership on Green Mass Transit:
    • National Association of Railroad Passengers, Washington, D.C. Board of Directors, 1974-1982.
    • All Aboard Washington, Seattle, Washington. Eastside (King County) Rail Line Preservation Project, 2006-present.
    • California State Department of Transportation, Sacramento, Rail Advisory Board. Resolving transportation and conservation issues in emerging urban corridors, 1976-1978.
    • Burlington Northern Inc., Seattle, Washington. Summit of Mount St. Helens Donation Project, 1981-1983.
    • Grand Canyon Railway, Flagstaff, Arizona. Proposed light-rail system for the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, 1994-1998.
  • A History of Leadership in the Classroom:
    • Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Visiting Professor, August 1999.
    • University of California, Santa Barbara, Visiting Professor of History (Environment and the West), January-June, 1995.
    • University of Montana, Department of Biology, Visiting Professor of Conser-vation and Environmental Education, Summer 1993.
    • University of Idaho, Institute for Pacific Northwest Studies, Research Associate (Environment, the West, and Pacific Northwest History), 1988-1992.
    • University of Washington, Assistant Professor of History and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, 1980-1987.
    • Baylor University, Institute for Environmental Studies, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor, 1979-1980.
    • Smithsonian Institution, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C., Fellowship Specialist and Associate Coordinator, Environmental Studies Program, 1978-1979.
    • University of California, Santa Barbara, Lecturer in History and Environ-mental Studies, 1973-1978, and Graduate Assistant in Environmental Studies, 1971-1973.
    • Illinois State University, Graduate Assistant in History, 1969-1971.