MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE MISSION.
Atomic Roots began when an East Tennessee resident turned her backyard into a prairie and cultivated a love of native plants, community, and the quiet joy of watching it all grow. Meet Alyssa and her dog, Piston! We can’t wait to add YOU to this unfolding story.
ALYSSA IP
FOUNDER
Before founding Atomic Roots, I worked as a restoration ecologist—focused on repairing damaged landscapes and helping ecosystems find their balance again. But when my life shifted in ways I couldn’t have predicted, I stepped away from the field and into a season of personal reconstruction.
There is no place I'd rather be than working outside, so I started small in my own yard—planting native species, rebuilding habitat, and sharing what I knew with neighbors and friends. Slowly, the roots of something new took hold. It reminded me that I didn’t need a formal title to do meaningful work.
Atomic Roots is an extension of that work and that healing. It’s about restoring more than just landscapes—it’s about restoring connection, purpose, and a sense of place.
PISTON
SELF-APPOINTED MORALE OFFICER
Piston is a delightfully stubborn, endearingly quirky three-year-old hound mix who has taken it upon himself to boost spirits wherever he goes—whether people ask for it or not. As the self-appointed Morale Officer, Piston doesn’t just like people—he insists on loving them. He also believes in full-contact cuddling, preferably with maximum pressure and zero personal space. His enthusiasm extends to cats, who tragically don't understand that he just wants to be best friends forever (and maybe share snacks).
Piston lives by his own rules but follows his heart. He’s not just a very good boy—he’s the kind of dog who keeps life interesting, hearts full, and laps occupied.
