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MEET THE FOUNDER

SALLY D. ROSS

Sally D. Ross is an environmental social scientist, urban forestry practitioner, and founder of Black Environmental Prosperity Group (BEPG). A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she grew up in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which shaped how she understands the connections among race, environment, education, and community well-being. Those experiences remain a north star in her work.

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Sally holds degrees in urban forestry and forestry from Southern University and A&M College and the University of Tennessee, and is now completing a Ph.D. in Environmental Social Science at The Ohio State University. Her work includes climate adaptation research, urban forestry planning, science communication, and public-sector leadership. As a climate fellow at the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, she helped lead the Indianapolis Region Urban Tree Vulnerability Assessment. She later managed a $30 million USDA Urban and Community Forestry portfolio across three states.

 

A published author and environmental leader, Sally founded BEPG to bridge community needs and organizational leadership. Her long-term vision is to build a Black women-led urban forestry team.

Sally Ross headshot.png
Founder | Environmental Social Scientist | Urban Forestry Practitioner
Professional Experience

  • Environmental social scientist specializing in environmental justice, urban forestry, applied research, and public sector leadership

  • Managed $30M USDA Urban and Community Forestry portfolio across three states

  • Reviewed multi-million dollar proposals and national guidance on tree equity and community engagement

  • Designed and facilitated environmental and professional learning through university teaching, climate adaptation training, and climate justice programming

Education

  • Ph.D. Candidate, Environmental Social Science

    • The Ohio State University

  • M.S., Forestry

    • University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • B.S., Urban Forestry

    • ​​Southern University and A&M College

  • Completed advanced municipal urban forestry training through the Ohio Division of Forestry, 

    • Tree Commission Academy​

Publications & Recognition

  • Lead author of “Triana Poisoning in Alabama” for the SAGE Encyclopedia of Environmental Justice. 

  • Co-author of the Indianapolis Region Tree Species Vulnerability Assessment.

  • Lead author of peer-reviewed research examining vegetation and ecosystem services on remediated areas of ORNL.

  • Recognized as an Emerging Leader by Trellis Group

  • Inaugural Freedom Summer Fellow, Emerald Cities Collaborative, MIT CoLab, and Tufts Tisch College

WHY BEPG?

BEPG combines lived experience with professional expertise in environmental justice, urban forestry, climate resilience, and environmental social science. This unique perspective helps organizations understand how policies and programs affect real communities while developing practical, equitable solutions.

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