Autumn conservation tips: Leave the leaves!
- by Guest Contributor
- November 3, 2022
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Tired of the endless task of raking the leaves? Well, the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DCNR) says this is one chore you don’t necessarily have to feel guilty about not doing!
By leaving the leaves, you’re improving your part of Pennsylvania’s environment.
Leave the Leaves!
There’s no need to rake up all the leaves in your yard! Leaving some on the ground is not only good for wildlife, but your yard and garden as well.
Check out these fall yard conservation tips:
- Leave the leaves — leaves provide food, shelter, and nesting materials to a variety of wildlife and insects, such as moth and butterfly pupae.
- Build a brush shelter — branches, sticks, and leaves can be used to make brush piles that shelter native wildlife.
- Leave the seeds — plants and grasses should be left standing over winter (seed-bearing perennials such as purple coneflower, Joe Pye weed, and sunflower provide food for songbirds).
- Avoid chemical fertilizers — grass clippings and mulched leaf litter can provide plant nutrition; chemical fertilizers can reduce beneficial insects.
About DCNR:
Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with maintaining and protecting 121 state parks; managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Learn more at DCNR.pa.gov.
