It was early on a chilly Sunday morning when I arrived at Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, not really knowing what to expect but excited to help out. The air was cold, and I could see my breath as I walked into the park. The sun was barely rising, and the light made everything look golden and peaceful. I had a feeling that this day was going to be something special.
The preserve was beautiful, way more than I expected—but what really surprised me was learning about the ladybug migration that happens here every year. These little ladybugs come all the way from the Sierra Mountains just to hang out at Huckleberry for the winter. They travel so far and in such huge numbers, and it’s crazy to think that this park is their chosen spot. I’ve never seen so many ladybugs in one place before! They were everywhere, on leaves, branches, and even crawling around in the grass.
No one is 100% sure why they come all the way to this specific spot, but it has something to do with the cool coastal climate and all the plants that make the area perfect for them. Watching them move together in swarms made me realize how important it was to keep this place in good condition for them and other wildlife that call it home.
After hearing about the ladybugs, we got to work. Our main job for the day was pulling out invasive weeds. At first, I wasn’t sure how pulling weeds could make much of a difference, but I quickly learned that these non-native plants take over the area and make it hard for the native plants to grow. The native plants are super important because they support the whole ecosystem, including the ladybugs and other wildlife. So, pulling those weeds wasn’t just about cleaning up the park, it was helping to protect the entire environment.
Pulling weeds sounds easy, but it’s actually hard work! Some of the roots were really deep, and it took a lot of effort to get them out. But with every weed I yanked out of the ground, I felt like I was helping, even in a small way. I took breaks now and then to look around at the park. The green hills, the trees, and all the plants just looked so alive. It felt good to be outside, away from screens, and doing something positive for the environment.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. My hands were dirty, and I was covered in mud, but I also felt proud. Even though I had only spent a few hours at Huckleberry, I knew I had made a difference. It felt good knowing that I had helped preserve this place for the ladybugs and all the other creatures that depend on it.
Volunteering at Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve taught me that even small actions, like pulling a weed, can make a big impact. And after seeing all those ladybugs that traveled so far just to stay here, I realized how important it is to protect places like this. Nature has its own way of working, and sometimes we just need to give it a little help.
Letters To Earth 