Rooted & Rising
March is an opportunity to honor women—and this month, we’re centering Black women whose leadership continues to shape environmental justice, science, and public lands.
Black women shape environmental advocacy, advance scientific inquiry, and lead stewardship across outdoor spaces. Our relationship to land reflects knowledge, care, and vision—practical, cultural, intellectual, and forward-looking. It is leadership rooted in experience and responsibility.
This month, we highlight four women whose work reflects the breadth and power of that leadership.
Environmental Justice
Hazel M. Johnson
Often called the “Mother of Environmental Justice,” Johnson transformed community advocacy into national impact. Her leadership demonstrated that protecting the environment also means protecting families, neighborhoods, and future generations. Her work helped establish environmental justice as a pillar of public policy.
Global Conservation Leadership
Dr. Wangari Maathai
Founder of the Green Belt Movement and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Maathai mobilized women to plant millions of trees across Kenya—linking environmental restoration with women’s empowerment, civic engagement, and sustainable development.
Public Lands & Historical Stewardship
Betty Reid Soskin
As a National Park Service ranger and historian, Soskin ensured that the stories preserved on public lands reflected the full American experience. Her work affirmed that stewardship includes memory, truth, and the responsibility to tell the complete story.
Science, Culture & Environmental Thought Leadership
Dr. Carolyn Finney
A cultural geographer and scholar, Finney challenges institutions to broaden how we understand belonging in environmental spaces. Her work bridges research, storytelling, and policy—expanding how conservation is studied and practiced.
These leaders represent just a glimpse of the impact Black women are making across environmental justice, science, and outdoor leadership. Their work continues to drive innovation, shape policy, and redefine stewardship.
Throughout the month, BPDSO will take a deeper look at their stories and the lessons their leadership offers.
Because Black women in the outdoors are not simply participating—we are shaping the future of how people care for land, community, and each other.
With joy and on purpose—
See you outside,
B.P.D.S.O.
