More than 200 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends gathered around the riparian zone of Oglethorpe Creek, transforming the area into a hub of life and beauty in honor of the presidential inauguration.

Students helped remove invasive species and plant native botanicals.

Volunteers broke into small groups, each focused on a different eco-friendly project: planting sustainable botanicals, removing invasive species, and building boxes for roosting bats and nesting bluebirds.

Each team was guided by a faculty member or student with ecological expertise. Biology student Hana Sato ’24 led a group along the creek, removing invasive species and trash while planting native botanicals.

“This project is important because we’re improving the beautification of campus and we’re also helping to make a more sustainable and healthy environment for everything that lives on campus,” says Sato.

“Hopefully we continue to see this project grow throughout campus so we can really make Oglethorpe a more sustainable and green space for Atlanta.”

The passion for enhancing Oglethorpe’s natural landscape continues to grow within the community. President McClymond shares this commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“The Oglethorpe Creek project was inspired by my love for gardening and concern for the environment,” said Dr. McClymond. “But it’s also very much about our students. Our work today builds on their passion for environmental sustainability and ensures future Petrels can enjoy this campus’s vast, natural beauty.”

View photos of the project below.