Continuing our series focusing on the contributions of historically under-recognized groups to conservation and environmental sciences, this month we are featuring Ashantae Green, who was recently appointed as the Sustainability Manager for the City of Jacksonville and, by the Department of the Interior, as a National Commissioner for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Dedicated to serving her city, its residents, and the environment, Ashantae has made significant contributions as an elected commissioner of the Duval Soil & Water Conservation District and as a subject matter expert for the Jacksonville City Council and Mayor’s office.

Growing up on Jacksonville’s Eastside, Ashantae witnessed firsthand the impacts of environmental inequities, with higher rates of asthma and heat stroke among neighborhood children due to the lack of trees as well as pollution from factories and roads built right through the area, making the community up to 10 degrees warmer than other areas of town. And it’s not just the Eastside – other Jacksonville neighborhoods are also dealing with air pollution, regular flooding and erosion, contaminated soil, and inequitable access to healthy food.

Ashantae has made significant efforts to address these issues over the last several years. She helped create Circle of Caring Jax, a sustainable non-profit dedicated to helping families by providing educational resources and mostly organic food provided by community gardens and rescued from local farms and grocery stores to divert food waste and address food insecurity in communities. She has also worked with students from grades K-12 to teach them about the choices they can make to ensure the future of this planet, and is actively involved in various organizations, including the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Jacksonville Chapter, the Jax Chamber, Leadership Jacksonville, and the Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship. She also serves as a board member for GreenliningJax and the NAACP Jacksonville Environmental & Climate Justice Subcommittee.

Her work in government, business, and the community has earned her both local and national recognition. She has been named a National Women in Green by the USGBC, featured on the cover of Edible Northeast Florida magazine, and received two City of Jacksonville Environmental Achievement Awards—all before the age of 30!

Ashantae, we applaud your passion for environmental justice and your commitment to encouraging everyone in Duval County to live a green lifestyle!