In my time as a Sustainability Fellow, I feel as though I’ve become part of two particular communities: the community of Sustainability Fellows and the community of individuals working at the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC), the organization I’m partnered with. Engaging with both has continued to develop my understanding of what “community” truly entails.
I’ve certainly joined a new community by learning alongside the other fellows. Since most of them are studying environmental science or have some kind of background in sustainability, I feel fortunate to hear their insights and learn from their perspectives. At the same time, I’ve been able to share my own perspective as a political science/philosophy student, which has led to some enriching conversations during our bi-monthly meetings. A few other fellows are also working with the ARPC on different projects, which has created a kind of sub-community within the group. Talking with them has broadened my understanding of the ARPC and helped me pursue my goal for the summer – to better understand how sustainability can be supported institutionally.
My experience within the Sustainability Fellows community has reshaped my idea of community by showing me the value of diverse perspectives. The prior knowledge and unique experiences that each fellow brings to our discussions have made our conversations richer and more meaningful. They’ve helped me better understand both our curriculum and my individual project.
As for my work with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council, I do feel that I’ve become part of a different kind of community. While the ARPC is composed of many subcommittees and roles, and the resilience collaborative only makes up a fraction of its work, it’s been inspiring to see how united everyone is by a shared sense of responsibility to support the region. Even though sustainability isn’t technically a priority for every individual at the ARPC, there’s still a clear and collective urgency to address climate-related issues.
This experience has further reshaped my understanding of community by showing me how dynamic it is. As climate-related challenges become more pressing, particularly in the context of climate related-disasters and their impact on local communities, those responsible for planning and protecting those communities must adapt. Seeing that adaptation happen in real-time at the ARPC, as individuals outside the traditional sustainability sphere begin to take on these responsibilities, has deepened my appreciation for what community looks like in action.
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