The "New Executive Director" for "Up With Trees"
is someone I had the good fortune to meet....
Congratulations Ms America.
With her energy and devotion I would expect some great things to begin to take shape around the Arboretum...[:)]
Up With Trees Appoints New Executive Director
Tulsa Business Staff
1/23/2007
Tulsa-based non-profit Up With Trees has named Anna America its new Executive Director.
America, a former journalist and communications consultant, has served as an aide to Mayor Kathy Taylor since Taylor took office in April.
“The Board of Directors is extremely pleased that Anna has chosen to join our organization. We could see that she possesses a variety of skills, but more importantly, has the ability to multi-task â€" a trait imperative to the running of a bare-bones non-profit,â€? said Up With Trees Board President Susan Scott. “In her interview with us, Anna demonstrated an enthusiasm for our mission and our community that convinced us she was the person to lead Up With Trees as Executive Director.â€?
America said she is excited to be able to work on something that she is passionate about. “One thing I learned from working for Mayor Taylor is that it’s very rewarding to have an opportunity to make life better in your community. Up With Trees is one of our best-known non-profits and has already done so much for Tulsa, and this is a chance for me to help grow it further.�
America said Up With Trees will continue to do its extensive tree plantings, but she also hopes to expand the organization’s educational role, working with businesses, neighborhood groups and young people to promote the value of trees and the best ways to plant and care for them.
One of her goals is to expand and solidify financial support for Up With Trees, a 501c(3). “We are also looking at forming more partnerships with private companies, service groups and governments to get more trees planted across the city on public and private land, and to get many more Tulsans involved in volunteer tree-planting efforts,� America said.
Mayor Taylor said she was looking forward to working with America and Up With Trees on future projects. “Anna has made a significant impact in our community and most recently in the Mayor’s Office. She was the leader in implementing our first-ever NeighborFest. She will prove to again make a significant impact taking Up With Trees to the next level to ensure Tulsa’s unique beauty is maintained for generations to come. She will be missed in our office but I know our partnership with Anna, one of the most passionate proponents of Tulsa, will remain.�
Up With Trees was created in 1976 to replenish Tulsa’s fading urban forest. Thirty years later, it has planted more than 18,000 trees. Each is planted with professional care and maintained until it is established and can survive on its own. At a rate of 800 new trees a year, Up With Trees now maintains more than 450 sites along Tulsa expressways and streets, as well as some plantings in Tulsa parks.
Before joining Taylor’s campaign, America was a private communications consultant. Previously, she did publications and communications for the City of Tulsa and was a newspaper and magazine journalist, working for the Tulsa Tribune (now-defunct) and the Newspaper Association of America in Washington, D.C. Environmentalism runs in the family â€" she is married to Michael Patton, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Environmental Trust, a Tulsa-based environmental trust authority.
I admit the posting of this to be a tad bit belated..... Then again.... with the News service here in Tulsa it may be just about right.
[;)]
She is "tree" mendous.