I’m long overdue for revisiting work I never shared especially essays which highlight the important work of fellow nature nerds that got me through COVID and the early years of single motherhood. My mom introduced me to the magic of weekly restoration work when I was a kid, at which point I realized how much I love volunteering with retired science teachers. Asilomar State Beach is one of the more incredible parks I’ve had the pleasure to live near and I hope to continue adding to this gallery as a tribute to it. For now, this offers a glimpse into mornings spent clearing invasives and prepping seedlings for transplant.