Why you should be lazy and leave the leaves in your yard

WASHINGTON POST • October 14, 2023

As leaves begin to blanket yards across the country this fall, many might be tempted to clear away the crunchy foliage. Not so fast, experts say. “The fallen leaf layer is actually really important wildlife habitat,” said David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit conservation organization. “All sorts of creatures rely on that for their survival as a place where they can find food and cover, and in many cases even complete their life cycle.” But experts say you don’t have to let a thick layer of leaves carpet your entire yard to help support the environment.