Hi, I’m Saige, a teenage girl who decided to start my first blog to document my volunteer service assignments. I volunteer at the Southington Land Trust, a non-profit organization where the community comes together to help conserve land.

My first volunteer assignment was weeding the Linear Park – Rails To Trails in Southington. I learned about the different types of garden tools such as a Japanese Hori Hori, also called the “murder tool.” Due to the garden tool’s knife-like shape and how effective it works cutting through weeds, I realized why it had earned its nickname. Weeding with these tools was way more effective than weeding by hand!

I also learned about the importance of pollinator plants through weeding a pollinator pathway. When these plants bloom, they produce nectar and pollen which feeds birds and insects. I quickly realized that working hard to protect these plants will help keep species alive and healthy. During my first time volunteering we were specifically pulling out mugwort, an invasive plant, from previously planted native plants. We weeded out this invasive plant because they are preventing native plants from growing, starting a chain reaction that is dangerous to the ecosystem.

By the end of the session, multiple people who were walking on the trail thanked us for our service. They not only inspired me to keep working through the hot weather but showed me how many people appreciate our efforts to conserve the environment. Volunteering at the Southington Land Trust is a great way to learn more about the environment and how to improve it!