Only 25 % of people, according to a National Wildlife Federation survey, are leaving their leaves where they fall, despite the fact that most people( 72 percent ) are aware that fallen leaves and leaf layers are good for wildlife and biodiversity. Luckily, 82 % of people are willing to leave behind leaves in the future to help animals.
By conducting a survey of almost 1,200 people to better comprehend attitudes and behaviors toward Autumn foliage, the first Leave the Leaves Report honors the beginning of the month this October.
The Leave the Leaves Report provides a behind-the-scenes look at people’s opinions regarding leaving foliage and their use of those leaves. According to National Wildlife Federation scientist David Mizejewski, the majority of people are removing their leaves, with just a small percentage using the leftovers for compost or mulch. This informs us that there is a chance to inform the public about how, despite being removed from your garden or left alone, fallen leaves can still be beneficial to wildlife and the yard.
According to study findings, 11 % of people who rake, remove, or leaf blow their foliage discard them, with 14 % doing so 10 luggage or more per year.
More than 13 % of the country’s solid waste is made up of leaves and other garden dirt, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This organic matter releases methane gas, which is more than 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, when there isn’t enough gas for it to break down.
The plant surface serves as the primary habitat for many wildlife types. 94 % of moth species rely on the leaf surface to finish their existence cycle. The caterpillars emerge as parents the following spring after hiding under leaves. During the breeding season, the majority of our backyard birds’ fresh primarily eat those butterfly and fly caterpillars. There will be fewer of these insects in and around the garden if you remove all of the fallen leaves, and there will probably be less animals as well.
The report found that some people( 21 percent ) are worried about leaves smothering or ruining their lawns when pondering why people continue to rake, leaf blow, remove, or collect Autumn leaves even though they are aware of the benefits. Others ( 36 %) are mandated to remove their leaves by either a homeowner’s association or city and local ordinances. In other words, even if they wanted to, they don’t keep their foliage.
However, for the 43 % who don’t care or need to leave leaves, they might enjoy the break from yet another fall chore and benefit wildlife by doing so.
” Raising versus no raking is much more important than leaving the leaf.” According to Mary Phillips, director of the Certified Wildlife Habitat and Garden for Wildlife applications, it’s about how each of us can affect animals at home through agriculture and other outdoor preservation practices. As we get ready for current and future animals years,” creating and enhancing backyard habitat continues throughout the year with potential for significant effects in the off times.” Smaller adjustments, like dropping the foliage, are simple ways to improve the environment and wildlife right at home.
1,188 individuals living in the United States between the ages of 18 and 65 were polled by The Leave the Leaves Report. The report’s features can be found below:
- According to either a owner’s association or city and town regulations, 36 % of responders are required to brush their leaves.
- 25 % of people leave their fallen leaves behind.
- For mulch, compost, or both, 49 % of collected finds are used.
- 43 % of respondents say they are unconcerned about leaving leaves in their yard.
- 21 % of people are concerned that their lawns will be smothered or destroyed by fallen leaf.
- 25 % of people remove their foliage because they don’t like how the yard looks with the fallen leaves.
- 14 percentage of those polled dispose of more than 10 bags of leaves annually, and 23 percent do so between four and six times a month.
- 72 % of respondents are aware that wildlife and biodiversity benefit from fallen leaves and the leaf layer.
- 82 % of people are willing to help biodiversity by leaving the leaves.
