Girl Guides, Girl Scouts and Alcoa Foundation Partner to Create a Global Environmental Initiative

In celebration of the Girl Scouts 100^th anniversary, Girl
Scouts USA (GSUSA) and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts (WAGGGS) in partnership with Alcoa Foundation announces the
launch of Together Greening. This program 'twins? 20 Girl Scouts
councils in the U.S. and 20 Girl Guide or Girl Scout groups in 11
countries around the world to work together on projects focused on
making a significant impact on the environment.

Over the course of two years, the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts will
identify, lead and take action on environmental projects including
reducing waste, creating rain gardens, reducing CO2 emissions, combating
climate change and countering the loss of biodiversity.

'Twinning enhances mutual understanding and sharing of ideas and
learnings across the globe,' said Nadine el Achy, Chair, WAGGGS World
Board. 'WAGGGS, its Member Organizations and Girl Scouts USA are
harnessing its members' passion and experience in creating
environmentally sustainable communities to deliver an ambitious global
project that will positively impact the lives of tens of thousands of
girls and young women around the world.'

The girls will be connected through a 'digital diary? to which they will
post entries about what is going on in their city. This 'diary? will not
only provide a way for each of the girls to share their impacts on the
environment, but also learn about what their partners across the globe
are doing. In addition, it will allow friends, family and the global
community to take part in this program and witness all of the amazing
work the girls are doing. The Together Greening 'diary? can be
found at http://togethergreening.tumblr.com.

The Together Greening Program is funded by a US$1.5 million Alcoa
Foundation grant, which will support GSUSA′s 100th Year Anniversary
program, Girl Scouts Forever Green, and WAGGGS′ global 'Girls can save
our planet? initiative. It is estimated that more than 25,000 people
worldwide will be involved in the program including more than 600 Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts, 7,500 of their friends and 24,000 members of the
communities in which they live.

'This program provides a tremendous opportunity for Alcoa employees
around the world, including Girl Scouts and Guides alumnae and current
troop leaders, to help advance our commitment to protecting the
environment with the support of these committed and passionate girls who
are the next generation of environmental ambassadors,? ?saidPaula
Davis, President, Alcoa Foundation.'This program provides Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts the tools and resources to create positive change
in their communities, and we are excited to be a part of that.?

The Girl Scouts Forever Green 100th Anniversary "Take Action′
Project was created when Girl Scout research found an overwhelming
number of girls said protecting the environment is a priority. This was
proven during the project′s pilot years, when the national effort saved
more than 1.8 million kWh of energy, eliminated more than 2.8 million
pounds of CO2, eliminated more than 700,000 pounds of waste and saved
nearly 200,000 gallons of water.

Globally, environmental issues and sustainability have consistently been
identified by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts as one of the most important
issues girls want to make a difference on. In a recent WAGGGS survey
conducted in over 100 countries, 95 per cent of respondents worry about
the environment and more than a third worry about it ALL the time. Three
quarters of respondents thought children and young people were the group
that should most decide what happens to our environment, more so than
teachers, politicians and scientists.

'Although our girls might be famous for wearing the color green, it′s
clear that they are enthusiastic about 'going green' and working to
preserve our natural resources,? said Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive
Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. 'As an organization committed to
helping girls become leaders who make a difference in the world, we
couldn′t ignore their passion for the environment and the generous
contribution from Alcoa Foundation provides an outlet for girls to
funnel their ecological energies.?

The 11 countries that will participate in the program are: Australia,
Brazil, China, Guinea, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Suriname, the
United Kingdom and the United States.

The 20 participating Girl Scouts councils in the U.S. are located in:
Ariz., Calif., D.C., Ga., Ind., N.Y., Mich., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Texas, and
Wash.

About Girl Scouts of the USA

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership
development organization for girls with 3.2 million girl and adult
members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls'
healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and
character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves
girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl
Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates
attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries.
For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to
Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

With ten million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 145 countries across
the world, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)
is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in
the world. The World Association supports girls and young women to
develop their full potential as responsible citizens of the world.
WAGGGS focuses on leadership development and active citizenship. These
are delivered through an innovative global education,community action
and advocacy programs. For more information about WAGGGS, visit www.wagggs.org.

About Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the
U.S., with assets of approximately US$446 million. Founded more than 50
years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$550 million since
1952. In 2011, Alcoa Foundation contributed more than US$20 million to
nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative
partnerships, engaging its people to improve the environment and
educating tomorrow′s leaders. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further
enhanced by Alcoa′s (NYSE:AA) thousands of employee volunteers who share
their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in the
communities where Alcoa operates. Through the company′s signature Month
of Service program, in 2011, a record 56 percent of Alcoa employees took
part in more than 1,200 events across 24 countries, reaching 81,000
children, serving 9,000 meals, planting 34,000 trees and supporting
1,800 nonprofit organizations. More information can be found at www.alcoafoundation.com.

Girl Scouts of the USA

Joshua Ackley, Public Relations Manager,
212-852-8038

jackley@girlscouts.org

OR

World
Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

Rebecca Munro,
Communications & Advocacy Director, +44-7790-589-706

rebecca@wagggsworld.org

OR

Alcoa
Foundation

Suzanne van de Raadt, Communications Manager,
646-404-4027

Suzanne.vanderaadt@alcoa.com