“We exist to be in community—not just with people, but with the non-human world too.”
For Amelia DeVivo, her love of nature began in a backyard in Michigan. A giant tree with a rope swing became a centerpiece of joy and adventure, a place where she and her brothers would leap into the air and into childhood memories. That tree, as she tells it, was more than just a plaything. It was family, community, and freedom all rolled into one. “It was a very stable, consistent presence,” she says. “It brought us together.” That early connection planted a seed in Amelia that would shape her entire life.
“We are not separate from nature—we are nature.”
Years later, Amelia brought that same spirit into the classroom. After moving to Austin and serving with AmeriCorps in Title I schools, she became a reading specialist, working primarily with lower-income communities. Even as she guided young minds through books and language, her heart remained outdoors. She saw the disconnect many students had from the natural world, and it sparked new questions: How do we teach a conservation ethic? How do we heal the planet and ourselves at the same time? Her curiosity led her back to school to study geography and urban ecology, where she focused on who has access to nature and how that access shapes lives. “I wanted to build programs that not only connect people to nature but also center equity and justice,” she explains.
That deep love for both people and place comes through in the stories she tells. She recalls taking students to Circle Acres Nature Preserve to measure ancient cottonwoods. They wrapped measuring tape around massive trunks, some towering over 150 feet tall, and were struck with awe. “We were just stunned to know this existed in our own city,” she remembers. A photograph she took that day—three students gazing out over a waterway—captures a quiet moment of wonder she’ll never forget. “You couldn’t even see their faces,” she says, “but you could feel it.”
“You may never sit in the shade of the tree you plant, but you do it anyway—because it’s the right thing to do.”
Her work isn’t just grounded in education; it’s also spiritual. Amelia is a yoga practitioner and teacher, and she sees her time in nature as an extension of that practice. “Being in natural spaces teaches you presence,” she reflects. “It’s not about achievement, it’s about just being.” Nature, like yoga, gives her a sense of freedom and perspective. It’s a reminder that she’s not the main event, but a supporting character in something much bigger. “It helps you live more gently with yourself and others.”
“I don’t want to accept the status quo. There’s still an activist in me, pushing to demand more.”
Today, Amelia works with the City of Austin as a bridge between government and community. Her role is about more than policy; it’s about connection. She leads efforts to ensure that neighborhoods with less access to trees and shade are heard, included, and empowered. “That’s what the Tree Ambassadors program is all about,” she says. “We’re hiring and training community members to lead reforestation efforts where they live. It’s not just about planting trees. It’s about planting power.” She lights up when talking about it, describing how government and grassroots efforts can come together to create lasting change.
“Being in nature reminds me that I’m not the main event, and that’s actually a beautiful thing.”
Amelia’s dreams stretch far beyond today. When asked what she hopes for those who will one day sit beneath the trees she’s helped plant, she grows quiet for a moment. Then she answers: “I hope they have clean air, clean water, and a deep connection with the natural world. I hope they understand that they are not separate from nature—they are nature.” It’s a beautiful, simple truth that underlines everything she does. Whether through teaching, planting, practicing yoga, or building community, Amelia is helping shape a world where people live more compassionately, with each other and with the planet.
“Tree Ambassadors isn’t just about planting trees—it’s about planting power in the hands of the community.”
Interested in becoming part of this vision?
Amelia now leads the City of Austin’s Tree Ambassadors program, a unique opportunity for residents to become local leaders in reforestation, community building, and environmental justice. If you’re curious about how you can help bring trees and connection to your neighborhood, we invite you to learn more and get involved. Because, as Amelia reminds us, we are all part of nature—and it’s time we start living like it.
Are you passionate about trees, the environment, and your community? Become a City of Austin Tree Ambassador and voice for your neighborhood’s green spaces!
As a Tree Ambassador, You Will:
- Promote tree planting and care in your community
- Educate others about the benefits of a healthy urban forest
- Lead or support local events, workshops, and tree walks
- Connect with neighbors, school, and city leaders to inspire change
- Earn $25/hour
- Work up to 10 hours/month
- Commit to 6 months of service
- Attend 5 required trainings
Help us grow stronger, healthier, and greener neighborhoods—become a Tree Ambassador of Austin’s urban forest today!
Ready to sign up? Apply HERE
Questions? Contact: thinktrees@austintexas.gov
Author
Héctor González, TreeFolks’ Communications Strategy Manager, conducted this interview.
The TreeFolks NeighborWoods Program is a partnership with the City of Austin and Austin Energy.
