Racist Roots: How Racism Has Affected Trees and People in Our Cities - and What We Can Do About It

Did you know that racism in America has not only affected people’s social and political views, but it has also affected our cities’ urban trees and green spaces?

Inside Racist Roots, you’ll discover…

• How our nation’s troubling history with racism has affected urban forests across the country
• Specific steps you can take to participate in the movement for healthier urban forests for all people in the cities and towns where you live
• How you can help change our current system to be inclusive and fair to the people most affected (namely residents in majority Black neighborhoods and communities of color)
• How to foster diverse leadership in urban forestry and have an abundance mindset to keep the momentum going and create a brighter future for everyone in our cities

Whether you are new to this topic or a seasoned veteran, this book will show you what environmental justice truly means as well as how you can make the most of your involvement in the movement to grow past our racist roots into a fairer future for urban forests and the people in our communities!

About the Author
Dr. Christine Carmichael is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Fair Forests Consulting, LLC. From training students and professionals on what environmental justice means, to facilitating productive dialogue among diverse groups on how to achieve environmental justice through urban forestry, to assisting organizations in writing grant proposals to advance environmental justice goals through urban forestry. Dr. Carmichael works with municipal, state, and federal government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations across the U.S. to develop inclusive community engagement plans for urban forestry planning processes.

In addition, Dr. Carmichael holds a Ph.D. in Forestry with a Specialization in Gender, Justice, and Environmental Change and was selected as an Honorary Member of the Society of Municipal Arborists in 2022 for “outstanding contributions to the urban forestry profession as a researcher, author, and educator.”

In her free time, Christine likes to go for hikes, read historical fiction, volunteer at a healing center for grieving children, and do karaoke at the local LGBTQ+ friendly bar in Lansing, Michigan where she lives with her partner, Zack and two cats, Otis and Maia.