Ann M. Gallagher

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Ann M. Gallagher
Born
🏫 Education	University of Maryland (M.S.); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (Graduate Certificate); Old Dominion University (Ph.D. candidate)
💼 Occupation	Nonprofit executive; environmental scientist; university instructor; public-sector leader
🏢 Organization	Start School Later; U.S. Department of the Interior; National Park Service
Known for	Start School Later board president; DOI Nature-Based Solutions leadership; NPS science and science education; Acting Superintendent of Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Ann M. Gallagher is an American nonprofit executive, environmental scientist, university instructor, and public-sector leader. She is president of the board of directors of Start School Later, a U.S. sleep and adolescent health nonprofit supporting evidence-based school start-time policy, sleep health education, and youth safety. Gallagher has participated in Congressional briefings and federal–state discussions on adolescent sleep and public health.

She is the founding executive director of Ann’s Backyard Forest, a 501(c)(3) providing community-level environmental education and conservation best practices.

Department of the Interior leadership

Gallagher serves in leadership roles within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), including as Deputy Associate Advisor to the Department of the Interior (DOI) Nature-based Solutions Policy Working Group, where she coordinates implementation of climate adaptation and resilience strategies across DOI bureaus. Her work supports climate-informed conservation, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based climate actions for public lands and communities.

She previously served as a leader in the DOI-wide Women’s Mentoring and Professional Development Program, contributing to mentorship networks, career advancement pathways, and support structures for women in STEM, natural-resource management, and public-sector leadership.

Gallagher was an ad hoc committee member for the National Academies’ 2024 report, Developing a Strategy to Evaluate the National Climate Assessment, which outlines cross-agency evaluation strategies for federal climate science.

National Park Service

Gallagher has held multiple leadership roles within the National Park Service (NPS). She served as Acting Superintendent of Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI), overseeing park operations, cultural-resource stewardship, community engagement, and interagency coordination at a nationally significant site interpreting Creole culture and history in Louisiana. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

She is also the science education coordinator for the National Park Service’s Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance (UERLA), where she leads creation of material to inform environment & climate change, science engagement, ecosystem services, landscape & resource assessment, and early-career scientist development across the 16 national parks in the National Capital Region.

Gallagher has created over 120 internships for emerging researchers whose work has produced over 180 scientific and communication products. Sixty are archived in the NPS IRMA DataStore.

Academic instruction

Gallagher has taught university courses in environmental science, biology, ecology, and science communication at:

• University of Maryland
• Catholic University of America

Her instruction emphasizes experiential learning, public-value science, environmental justice, and women’s leadership in STEM.

Research and publications

Gallagher’s research includes ecological science, climate communication, public administration, and transformational leadership in nonprofit and governmental organizations. Selected publications include:

• Frye, Ethan A.; Copenheaver, Carolyn A.; Gallagher, Ann M.; Wiseman, P. Eric (2025). “Scientific definitions and measurements of second-growth, mature, and old-growth forests.” Journal of Forestry 123(1): 23–39.

• Campbell, Eryn; Patzer, Shaelyn; Beall, Lindsey; Gallagher, Ann; Maibach, Edward (2020). “Using social science in National Park Service climate communications.” Parks Stewardship Forum 36(1): 122–127.

• Gallagher, Ann M. (2021). “Strategic approaches to tree management can promote climate resiliency and protect ecosystem services.” Arborist News 30(5): 30–38.

• Gallagher, Ann M. (2025). “Identifying Organizational Resiliency Indicators: Senior Management Mindset and Resiliency in Environmental Restoration Nonprofits.” International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing (IABPAD Proceedings).<

Honors

Gallagher was cited by Marquis Who’s Who in America (2021) for contributions to environmental education and public-sector leadership, though she is primarily recognized for her federal climate-adaptation leadership, nature-based solutions work, and service supporting women in science and public administration.

External links

• Start School Later
• Chesapeake Watershed CESU profile
• Start School Later – Board profile

Category:Women scientists Category:Nonprofit executives Category:Climate change educators

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