Autumn chores ahead? Nature advocacy group suggests putting them off for now
If you're looking out your window at a pile of leaves needing raking, a national wildlife conservation group is saying that job may not be as urgent as you might think.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) says leaving fallen leaves on the lawn in your yard is a simple gesture that can help promote biodiversity.
That's because a lot of native species of insects don't migrate to warmer climates and need a safe spot to hibernate over the winter, experts say. Even some animals need the material to survive the frigid temperatures.
"Many animals, such as toads, frogs and some moths and butterflies, have adapted to hibernate in the leaf litter," said Samantha Knight, an ecologist and the NCC's national conservation science manager in a release. "The leaves provide an insulating blanket, which can help protect these animals from the cold and temperature fluctuations during the winter."
Your lawn soil can also be improved if you let the leaves break down where they fall too, Knight says, but only if they're spread out.
Thick piles of leaves can inhibit grass and plant growth, so it's important to clean up problem areas and put any excess into your compost bin.
"We might as well allow for the leaves to naturally break down in our yards and fertilize our lawns," Knight said.
It's not just your lawns that can provide critical hibernation space for animals and insects, the NCC adds. Branches, dead stalks from perennials are also important.
"By cleaning up our yards and gardens entirely, we are removing important over-wintering habitats for native wildlife in our communities," she said.
According to the NCC, approximately 80 per cent of Canadians live in towns and cities, so backyard biodiversity is very important, especially with habitat loss elsewhere.
The group also suggests that if you have excess leaves you don't want on your lawn, you can pile them around the base of shrubs, trees and in your flower beds to protect plants from the freeze-thaw cycle.
Leaves should always be removed from sidewalks to ensure they don't create hazardous conditions when they freeze, the NCC says. Pine needles, which are very acidic, should also be cleaned up because they can damage your lawn and even the roof of your home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.