Now that autumn's bringing cooler weather and vibrant foliage, the last thing you want to do is clear leaves from your yard.
The good news is you don't have to! Leaving the leaves where they land means they will play a vital role in supporting wildlife throughout the winter months. Many creatures—ranging from mammals and invertebrates to birds, turtles, and toads—depend on these fallen leaves for food, shelter, and nesting material.
Some examples:
American bumblebee queens bury themselves an inch or two into the earth to survive the winter, with fallen leaves forming a layer of insulation around them.
Eastern box turtles, when they hibernate, bury themselves in the ground with fallen leaves on top for insulation.
Eastern red bats: some migrate, but some have been observed overwintering in leaf litter.
Ovenbirds build their nests on the ground in the leaf layer. The thicker the layer, the better.
If you do need to keep your lawn clear, try raking whole leaves into a pile in a corner of your yard instead of shredding them with a mower. This simple act can create a thriving habitat for local wildlife, turning a chore into a contribution to a more diverse ecosystem.
Our friends at Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper created this short video (51 seconds) on leaf litter. Click play to watch!