Three years ago, Amelia Litz was looking for something to do after high school. This South Dakota native knew she wanted to get into something “environmental sciency,” but she didn’t know exactly what. She then found TreePeople through a Google search and has never looked back. “When I moved out here, I decided the best way to explore my options was to volunteer,” Amelia explains. “TreePeople makes it really easy for you to get involved.”

Amelia works primarily in the Santa Monica Mountains. This 150,000-acre area comprises the largest urban national park in the United States. For over 20 years, TreePeople’s restoration work in the park has been instrumental in protecting the habitat for the thousands of animal species that live there. Amelia has done her share of planting, watering and weeding, selflessly giving hundreds of hours of her time to the cause. “I guess when I find something that I like, I don’t just dip my feet in. I dive in head first,” she reveals.

Last year, TreePeople honored her with the Outreach Volunteer of the Year award. She recalls that moment very fondly. “I think I was the only one that didn’t know they were getting an award. I was totally surprised and I had to hold back tears.” Amelia plans on going to college to study botany. Because of her experience with TreePeople, she also plans to pursue restoration work.

Pictured above with Andy Lipkis, TreePeople’s Founder and President