Conservation Commission - Leave the Leaves!

Published on October 24, 2024

As the leaves are falling, a friendly reminder that your leaves are your yard’s best friend.

Leaving the leaves can improve the soil and lawn, support pollinators and birds, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save time and money!

• Lawn – Shred dry leaves as you mow and leave up to 3/4” on the lawn. They will naturally compost and add nutrients to the soil.
• Pollinators and birds – It is important to provide pollinators with shelter to survive the winter because most butterflies and moths don’t migrate. Instead, they overwinter as an egg, caterpillar, or chrysalis, and use leaf litter for winter cover. The caterpillars also provide essential food for birds during the winter and for feeding their young in the spring.
• Greenhouse gases – Reduced use of gas-powered blowers and trucks for leaf disposal helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Time and money – You can save time by not having to collect many leaves, and money since the leaves provide mulch and compost for free!

For more information:

National Wildlife Foundation: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Tip-Sheets/How-to-Leave-the-Leaves.pdf

Leave Leaves Alone https://www.leaveleavesalone.org/

CT DEEP https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2017/october/connecticuts-department-of-energy-and-environmental-protection-deep-makes-recommendation-on-disposal

Conservation Commission https://www.manchesterct.gov/Government/Town-Leadership/Boards-Commissions-Committees/Conservation-Commission

Sustainability Commission https://www.manchesterct.gov/Government/Town-Leadership/Boards-Commissions-Committees/Sustainable-ManchesterX/Sustainability-Commission