Carrie Gallagher has been named Executive Director of Alliance for Community Trees (ACT), effective April 4, 2011, announced Ray Tretheway, President of ACT's Board of Directors. ACT is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. With nearly 200 local affiliates in 41 states, ACT is a national leader in creating greener, cleaner, and healthier communities.

"Alliance for Community Trees' board of directors is thrilled to introduce our new executive director Carrie Gallagher to our 200 member organizations and the larger urban forest community," said Tretheway. "Carrie is a talented, innovative leader with proven strengths in building partnerships and a passion for our mission." Ms. Gallagher brings to ACT an extensive background in nonprofit organization leadership which started at the local community level and has included elected and appointed board positions in local, state, national, and international nonprofit organizations.

Ms. Gallagher's arrival at ACT coincides with ACT's annual public policy-oriented Green Infrastructure Summit, and with the beginning of spring tree planting season. ACT member organizations across America kick off spring tree planting campaigns with celebrations of Arbor Day and Earth Day. ACT programs continue throughout the year and culminate in October with National NeighborWoods Month. In 2010, this national volunteer campaign engaged 26,000 volunteers to plant 41,000 trees at 750 events around the country.

Ms. Gallagher comes to ACT from Keep America Beautiful, where she developed new national programs and national partnerships with other nonprofit and government organizations. As Vice President for Programs and Strategic Outreach at Keep America Beautiful, she researched, developed and launched the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, managed KAB's Graffiti Hurts program and supported KAB's Portfolio of Programs. Carrie established successful NGO and governmental partnerships with the International Downtown Association, the International City/County Managers
Association, the National Wildlife Federation, the Ocean Conservancy, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and others.

"The Alliance for Community Trees is a remarkable nonprofit organization whose members represent parks & recreation departments, urban forestry councils, tree committees and foundations, arborists, restoration advocates, municipalities and local nonprofit organizations from communities throughout the country," said Ms. Gallagher. "It will be an honor to work with the leadership of these member organizations, the dedicated staff and board members, and our corporate and foundation partners to improve the environments where 80% of Americans live "“ cities, towns, and metropolitan areas."

Gallagher will succeed Alice Ewen, ACT leader since 2000, who grew the national coalition into a leading organization championing the cause of cleaner air, greener streets, and healthier communities through trees. During her tenure, Ewen introduced nationally-recognized programs including the National NeighborWoods Month campaign and increased ACT membership over 600% to include nearly 200 grassroots greening groups across the country.

"Carrie's got a great mix of skills and experience that are a perfect match for ACT," said Ewen, now with the U.S. Forest Service. "I'm so proud that Carrie is joining the ACT family, and look forward to working with her to grow greener communities."

About Alliance for Community Trees
Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. With over 180 grassroots affiliates in 41 states and Canada, ACT engages volunteers to take action to improve the environment where 80% of people live - in urban areas. ACT member organizations have planted and cared for 15 million trees in cities with help from over 5 million volunteers. For more information on ACT and its members, visit www.ACTrees.org or on Twitter(@alliance4trees).

Alliance for Community Trees

Alliance for Community Trees

Alliance for Community Trees ((ACTrees)) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. With over 200 member organizations and network partners in 44 states plus Canada, ACTrees engages volunteers to take action to improve the environment where 93% of people live - in cities, towns, and metropolitan areas. Together, ACTrees member organizations have planted and cared for over 15 million trees in neighborhoods nationwide, with help from over 5 million volunteers.

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