Column: The leaves can stay through the warmth of May

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 8, 2024

In my last column, I made my annual plea, channeling my inner Lorax, for readers to consider prioritizing wildlife during their backyard winter preparation. The simplified request is to “leave the leaves” as this provides critical wintering habitat for wildlife. Often, when we make suggestions like “leave the leaves” or do “No Mow May” there is pushback: people love their non-native flowers, they like the look of a grass lawn, etc. It is important to acknowledge here that this isn’t an all-or-nothing kind of thing; do what you can, as every little bit helps. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox