Community is what makes Spelman College. It’s the principle that is both its foundation and its heartbeat. A community brought the college to life and continues to nurture it as the years pass. My sit spot is part of that ongoing network of life, connecting people, plants, and the unseen systems beneath us.

Spelman’s landscape historically holds a rich collection of trees, including native magnolias, oaks, maples, and dogwoods, as well as non-native species such as Japanese maples and Chinese elms. Together, they form an ecosystem that provides shade, oxygen, and a sense of serenity to the campus. Beneath the surface, roots intertwine with soil organisms and create a web of exchange that mirrors the human community above ground.

In that sense, I do feel part of my spot’s community–and to adopt this mindset is encouraged by my peers and leaders at Spelman. Everyone here is a Spelman Sister. In that sense, I do, and will always, feel part of my spot’s community. The atmosphere of my sit spot changes hour by hour, often busy during peak class times and quiet at others with only the occasional passerby. By sharing the same air, water, and space, I participate in the same cycle of energy and renewal that sustains the campus.

When considering my carbon footprint, I realized that I didn’t fly to Spelman this semester. My family and I drove from home–about a 3–5 hour trip, depending on traffic. It felt like a classic college moment: the car filled with suitcases and dorm items, and the excitement of beginning a new chapter.

Even so, Atlanta’s layout makes walking less practical compared to cities like Boston, so rideshares and cars are more common. Students will often use Fetti to carpool, which helps reduce emissions by sharing rides to and from chosen destinations.

If I were to propose a local project to offset my travel and daily carbon impact, it would be a campus tree and garden expansion initiative: adding more native plants and pollinator gardens around student pathways and residence halls. This project would not only help absorb carbon dioxide but also strengthen Spelman’s ecosystem, supporting biodiversity while giving students more green spaces to connect with nature.

While no single effort can fully offset travel emissions, projects like these create a lasting positive impact.