Program & Organizational Development

Megan Gallagher guides conservation board members and their staff through the program and organizational development steps needed to get started and gain tax exempt status. Megan assists existing conservation groups with program and organizational audits to build on their success and supports land trusts in their efforts to gain accreditation. Some examples:

VES Land Trust

Megan served three years as the founding executive director of this coastal land trust, which protected more than 12,000 acres and raised nearly $350,000 in endowment funds in its first six years. Megan continues to advise the land trust, most recently on the accreditation process.
VES Land Trust website

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Megan conducted an extensive audit of ATC’s easement program in 2006, with specific recommendations to meet Land Trust Alliance standards and practices. ATC acted immediately to start implementing the recommendations.

Shenandoah Valley Network

Megan developed programs, work plans, budgets, partnerships and membership programs for the Network and its county-level member groups. The Network now manages campaigns for better transportation, land use and water quality programs in six counties and builds local capacity for conservation advocacy. Megan continues to advise the Network. SVN local programs:
SVN website

Preserve Frederick

Worked with local citizens to establish group, secure tax exempt status.
PF website

Shenandoah Forum

Worked with local citizens to establish group, secure tax exempt status.
SF website

Rockingham CAP

Worked with established group to expand program and board, hire staff and incorporate.
CAP website

Page County Water Quality Advisory Committee

Worked with county & citizen group to establish a public education outreach program.
Page Water Quality website

Essex County Countryside Alliance

Megan provided extensive board development and training, fundraising guidance, easement and landowner outreach program for this conservation advocacy group on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. Megan continues to support ECCA.
ECCA website

Montgomery Countryside Alliance

Megan conducted a board audit, provided recommendations and goals for board development and recruitment, and worked closely with board members to establish a governance committee and expand board membership and engagement for this rural conservation group in Montgomery County, MD.
MCA website

CRC Foundation/Smithsonian Institution

Megan served as the founding staff member for the launch of a charitable foundation to support The Smithsonian Institution’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, VA.

Africat Foundation

Megan conducted a board audit and provided board development assistance to the US fundraising arm of a cheetah conservation group in Namibia.

Central Virginia Wildlife Observatory

Megan conducted a board audit and provided board and program development assistance to a regional bird conservation group on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.

Arlington Foundation

Megan conducted a board audit and provided program development help to this preservation group, which is dedicated to conserving and interpreting archeological resources at the Arlington site on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.