Sally D. Ross Email and Phone Number

As an urban forestry specialist with expertise in environmental justice, I manage grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), exceeding $25 million and spanning Ohio, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh. My role involves providing technical guidance for land revitalization efforts, increasing canopy cover for ecosystem health and human well-being, and fostering community-nature connections while addressing equity gaps. I also lead urban forest vulnerability assessments and prioritize climate adaptation strategies to strengthen urban ecosystems. Furthermore, I am committed to creating and infusing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles into our policy and approach to environmental work. My goal is to advance environmental justice and equity considerations into urban planning for sustainable development while ensuring equitable outcomes for all communities.

As a Climate Resource Fellow at the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, my current focus is on supporting the development of the Indianapolis tree species vulnerability assessment. This involves compiling trend and projection data specific to the Indianapolis region and assigning climate vulnerability ratings to urban tree species based on adaptability scores. I also contribute to the development and review of content for the urban forestry learning module within the Michigan State University - Forest Climate and Carbon Program. In this role, it is crucial for me to stay up-to-date with the latest climate research to inform my work on these important projects.

As Principal Investigator, I specialize in examining the intersection of national defense and environmental agencies with issues of environmental contamination, justice, and activism in racialized communities. Employing a range of social science concepts including racial capitalism, environmental justice, and political ecology, I use both qualitative research methods and statistics to conduct my investigations. Through my work, I have acquired valuable skills in proposal writing, research planning, and the observation of natural and social phenomena. My most recent achievement was completing my doctoral candidacy examination in June 2022.

NASA DEVELOP national program. Analyzing Drought-Related Impacts to Urban Tree Inventory Conditions and Recovery in Texas.