For Amy Wentz, community is key.

The first step in what she describes as “people-powered projects” is listening to those around her.

Her passion for her neighborhood led to the creation of Southside ReLeaf, a local nonprofit currently celebrating its fifth year of operation.

Wentz co-founded the organization with Sheri Shannon. The two joined forces through Richmond 300, a master plan for equitable and sustainable growth in the city. Wentz served on the economic development team and Shannon on the environmental committee.

While observing environmental reports, the pair were stunned to see that Richmond's Southside was disproportionately worse off than its counterparts in many categories.

The life expectancy of someone living in the Southside of Richmond was as much as 20 years less than in other areas, which hit home for Wentz as her own daughter was only 19 years old at the time.

Around the same time, local scientist Jeremy Hoffman conducted a heat study in the Richmond area, finding differences of up to 16 degrees on a hot day in unshaded areas.

 “When you look at the heat maps, the life expectancy maps, the formerly redlined maps, all of these maps show a history of neglect and racial inequity,” Wentz said.

As Wentz and Shannon saw first-hand how their area of the city was falling behind, they started to bring Southside ReLeaf to life.

Five years of planting

The group’s very first event was held in 2019, a tree planting event at Blackwell Elementary School. The following year, Southside ReLeaf expanded to five planting sites.

They are now celebrating their fifth year of advocating for the Southside through environmental justice efforts, with their work leading to the planting of over 1,000 trees.

The presence of trees creates countless benefits. Southside ReLeaf has found that planting trees improves air quality, promotes wildlife and reduces energy costs, all of which help to rectify the systemic neglect of Richmond’s Southside.

In addition to creating greener spaces, Southside ReLeaf also serves as advocates for the community on a legislative level.

Wentz said the group lobbied for the first urban forester position to be added to the city, to help oversee tree planting and maintenance efforts.

With an eye towards continuing to grow and serve, Southside ReLeaf is currently in partnership with numerous climate relief groups, such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, to maximize their impact on South Richmond.

What's next?

The future of Southside ReLeaf includes a “Cool the City” campaign expected to launch in Spring 2025.

“Cool the City” will serve to educate the city of Richmond on the importance of green spaces. The city-wide campaign will teach climate solutions through a variety of mediums.

“We want to increase the brain trust of our neighbors around climate action and environmental justice,” Wentz said.

The organization continues to focus on its three pillars: planting, education, and policy.

“We wanted to make the commitment to show we’re actually going to do the things that we’re hearing from our community," Wentz said.