Leave the Leaves 

Join the Cool Cities Committee this Fall in participating in Leave the Leaves!

What is Leave the Leaves and why should I participate?

Picture yourself walking through one of our beautiful woodlands in the fall and winter. What do you typically see? Leaves laying as they fall, creating a beautiful blanket of oak, maple, hickory, pawpaw, dogwood leaves and so many more. While so pleasant to view, these leaves also have a critical function to the interconnected ecosystem. In our urban environments, leaves are viewed as a nuisance or a mess that needs to be cleaned up and removed the site. Removal of these leaves has a ripple effect in our ecosystems that affects soil quality and wildlife.

Essential Nutrients

Fallen leaves are a critical function of any woodland ecosystem. This blanket incredibly rich with organic matter that breaks down incredibly fast over the season, recycling nutrients back into the soil for trees and other plants to reabsorb through their roots. These nutrients also feed the billions of microorganisms in the soil that create symbiotic relationships with plant roots, helping them during the chemical process of taking in or releasing nutrients. 

Wildlife Habitat 

Leaves also serve as critical habitat for wildlife for food, shelter and nests including lizards, birds, turtles, frogs, lighting bugs, moths, butterflies and many other insects. Many animals, amphibians and insects overwinter in fallen leaves to help insulate them and hide them from predators. 

Soil Structure & Function 

In your garden, these leaves create a natural mulch that helps to suppress weeds while fertilizing the soil as it breaks down. Mulching your leaves into your into your lawn provides essential nutrients, improves soil structure and function by increasing it's porosity allowing roots to penetrate easier and increasing air and water movement in the soil. 

Resources

Learn more about the benefits of leaving your leaves through these fabulous resources!

• Missouri Department of Conservation
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• National Wildlife Federation

You can participate in Leave the Leaves in many ways including:

1. Create a designated area in your yard to accumulate leaves, providing a protected habitat space. 
2. Mulch your leaves into your lawn by mowing.
   • This does not have as many wildlife benefits, but can provide great fertilization for your lawn, while also saving you time raking and bagging leaves!
3. Rake and move leaves to your garden beds for natural mulch to suppress weeds and fertilize your garden.
4. Add excess leaves to your compost. 
5. Cover bare patches of soil with leaves to help prevent erosion. 

Leave the Leaves Sign

Complete the form below to enter a chance to win a free Leave the Leaves sign. Use this sign each year to show your support for our local wildlife and improve soil quality! There are still a few signs available. Sign up below for first come first serve!

 You may also download and print your own sign from here!