Amy Carpus Lifetime Achievement Award

The City of Gainesville Nature Centers Commission Amy Carpus Lifetime Achievement Award is presented in honor of longstanding Nature Centers Commission Board member Amy Carpus who dedicated her life and career to conservation, education and sustainability, and who generously donated her time and energy to serve on the Nature Centers Commission out of love for Gainesville’s parks.

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant, impactful, and enduring contributions over an extended length of time to conserving Gainesville’s natural resources.

Amy Carpus Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

2023 : Jon Reiskind

About Amy Carpus

Amy Carpus had a unique personality that sparkled with wit and charm. This served her well as she pursued her life’s mission—spreading vital, practical lessons on how to save the future. Her life was dedicated to conservation, not only in her profession but also in her personal life, where she truly walked the walk. She lived in a house that consumed so little energy and water one might wonder if magic were involved. Maybe it was. Fantasy movies were her favorite guilty pleasures— “Thor” especially. Makes sense.  

Amy was a multitasker without peer. As anyone who knew her well can attest, she could engage in a complex conversation, work on her computer, operate a loom, cook using an historical recipe and feed birds through a window— all at the same time. I’m not exaggerating. Well, not very much. Really. 

Amy was an aficionado of the domestic culture of the Middle Ages, partially because it was a time when nothing was left to waste. She didn’t just study the culture— she immersed herself in it. She didn’t just use a loom to weave the cloth worn at the time, she also spun the yarn to make certain that everything was authentic. She could also make and wield authentic weapons of the period— should the need arise. 

Amy’s profession had her consulting daily with homeowners to improve the conservation practices in their homes and gardens, often crawling through attics on hot days to identify and recommend ways to correct patterns of waste. After hours and on weekends, she could frequently be found speaking before groups of homeowners and others interested in conserving—spreading her message of how to save the future. She was so popular as a speaker, organizations would wait for her availability rather than schedule a less fascinating presenter.

Amy will be missed by all who knew her for her delightful and dynamic persona, but her positive impact on the environment, through the messages she taught so well, will survive her for many years to come.