The Cool Green Trees core team works with public health interns, an advisory council, technical forestry committee and other partners. We are a program of Cawaco RC&D Council as part of their mission to be dedicated to the conservation, development and sustained use of natural and community resources serving Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker counties of Alabama.
Grace Dugger, Program Director (Keeping it all together)
Grace Dugger brings extensive expertise in strategic partnership development, volunteer management, and program coordination, with a proven track record of advancing organizational missions through innovation and collaboration.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Grace previously served as Program Coordinator at Jessie’s Place of the Jimmie Hale Mission and the UAB Benevolent Fund, where she built strategic partnerships and led impactful community outreach initiatives.
Recognized for her leadership, operational excellence, and passion for service, Grace has consistently driven meaningful change by fostering collaboration and empowering others. In addition to her professional roles, she is an Adjunct Instructor in UAB’s Department of Social Work, where she creates inclusive learning environments and leverages innovative teaching methods to enhance student engagement.
Grace is deeply committed to promoting environmental sustainability and community resilience.
Sarah Jannot, Volunteer Manager (Inform, Gather, Shares Tree Joy)
Sarah helps establish and maintain mutual understanding and cooperation with the communities we serve. She focuses on interfacing with stakeholders, volunteer coordination, and media.
Sarah earned a degree in Communication Management with a minor in Marketing from UAB. She brings a diverse background in the nonprofit and private sectors, including extensive experience in communications, marketing, event planning, and volunteer management. At Alabama Audubon, she spent four years as Outreach & Communications Director, educating Alabamians statewide about birds and the natural world.
As an entrepreneur, Sarah also followed her dream in 2023 and opened a consignment store rEVOLVEr resale with a mission of sustainability providing a resource for Birmingham to shop secondhand locally and upcycle their used goods and clothing as well as provide a space for local artists. Most recently, she worked as Communications & Outreach Director at Alabama Environmental Council.
In addition to being an artist, she is a dedicated environmentalist who has spent her adult life volunteering and educating others about sustainability and the natural world.
Patrick McMahon, Urban Arborist (Tree Wizard)
Patrick works to approve our implementation plans and onsite planting practices. He is fully involved in our outreach to communities, hiring and managing subcontractors, and keeping up with maintenance and tree care practices. In 2024 he earned his ISA Certified Arborist credential.
Patrick’s degree from Auburn University in natural resources management and his work in the Auburn Forest Fire and Ecology Lab set the stage for him to become our first arborist. His outdoor leadership skills through the Boy Scouts and his passion for working with local conservation nonprofits show his interest in learning. Patrick took a risk on the nonprofit job, coming from the world of environmental consulting. Feeling disconnected from making a real impact in the world, he came back to the forests and trees of Alabama. He came back to learn, stretch his skills to new levels, and dive deep into the world of social change and conservation.
Francesca Gross, Founder
Francesca’s passion for Alabama’s natural ecosystems and people, creativity, communication skills, and dedication to education and developing young conservationists is clear in her life story. She is an environmental scientist with an eclectic background. She holds degrees in agriculture science specializing in natural resources and environmental engineering science specializing in systems ecology. She earned a certifications in vocational agriculture and natural channel design. She managed and taught in the Urban Environmental Studies Program at Birmingham-Southern College and led the Five Mile Creek Greenway Partnership, which resulted in the core project for the Red Rock Trail System.
She partnered with front-line communities in Ensley, Woodlawn, and North Titusville. Developing and nurturing partnerships across government, nonprofits, businesses, and neighborhoods has been the key to her success.
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