Message from the Greenwich Conservation Commission
This fall the Greenwich Conservation Commission is asking residents to Leave the Leaves! Why Leave the Leaves?
Fallen leaves are an important source of food and shelter for several Connecticut wildlife species. For some species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds and invertebrates the leaf layer acts as a blanket, providing insulation from cold winter temperatures and much needed protection for surviving winter.
Moths, butterflies, snails, spiders, and dozens of other arthropods overwinter in CT in different life stages such as eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis/cocoons, or adults using the leaf little for cover. Predators including reptiles, birds,
amphibians, larger arthropods, and mammals, forage in the leaf litter for food when other food sources are scarce during the winter months.
Removing leaves eliminates this vital resource for CT wintering wildlife.
In addition to helping wildlife, research has shown that lawns and gardens also benefit from a thin leaf layer when piled around ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials with no ill effect.
Residents have several options when it comes to deciding what to do with their fallen leaves to benefit nature including…
• letting the leave stay where they fall
• relocating leaves to garden beds or another area on your property
• chopping leaves up using a mulching mower to replenish lawns with important nutrients
• composting leaves
• waiting until late spring to remove leaves, to ensure overwintering species have moved on
The benefits of choosing a nature friendly leave the leaves option include:
• avoiding sending the leaves to a landfill
• natural (and free) mulch for your lawn, saving time and money
• improving soil structure and water retention as leaf decompose
• providing essential habitat to wintering species
Look for the Greenwich Conservation Commission weekly “Wildlife Wednesday” posts online highlighting how leaving the leaves on your property can help some of Greenwich’s most charismatic creatures.
Conservation will be hosting a Leave the Leaves event later this fall to discuss this initiative more and answer questions from residents.
For more information on this and other upcoming events visit the Conservation website or email [email protected].