The Hidden Benefits of Fallen Leaves for Connecticut’s Ecosystem

I love working in the yard—mowing, cutting, raking. Most of the time, it brings me peace.

But every now and then, especially in the fall, the endless raking of leaves gets overwhelming. One year, I decided to try something different. Instead of bagging them up, I raked every last leaf into a massive pile and ran my push mower over it. Not once. Not twice. Dozens of times. My thinking was simple: maybe this would save me work—or at least some aggravation. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

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By the time I was done, I had shredded the pile so thoroughly that I’d created a strange, sticky paste. The texture was awful and moving it was nearly impossible. The end result? A giant dead patch in the middle of my lawn. Honestly, I would’ve been better off just letting the leaves sit there to crackle and rot on their own.

Read More: Why Monarch Butterflies are Suddenly Everywhere in Connecticut 

As it turns out, there’s actually a scientific, tree-hugging reason to do exactly that. My friend, I-95 Wildlife Correspondent Jen the Zookeeper, explained that fallen leaves provide real benefits for moths, bees, butterflies, and more. Here’s what she had to say:

"As the leaves start to fall, many of us reach for the rake — or worse, the leaf blower. But before you fire up that noisy machine, here’s something to think about: those fallen leaves aren’t just yard waste — they’re part of a living, breathing ecosystem.

When we blow or bag up leaves, we’re not just tidying up — we’re clearing away the winter homes of countless small creatures. Butterflies, moths, beetles, fireflies, native bees, even frogs and salamanders — many of them rely on leaf litter for shelter, protection from the cold, and a place to lay eggs.

By removing leaves, we’re literally blowing away the next generation of pollinators and beneficial insects that our gardens — and our food systems — rely on. And don’t forget the birds: they depend on those insects for food.

Plus, leaves make excellent natural mulch. They protect soil, hold moisture, and feed your trees and plants as they break down. It’s nature’s free fertilizer!

So, this fall, consider leaving the leaves — or at least moving them into garden beds or under trees, where they can do some good. It’s a small act that supports biodiversity, helps your yard, and keeps your neighborhood a little quieter.

Sometimes, doing less is actually doing more — for the planet, and for all the tiny lives under our feet." 

Leave em' be homie.

More on Jen the Zookeeper

Jen has been immersed in the conservation & science education field for over 30 years. While working as Director of Animal Care for The New Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut, she was responsible for the care of native wildlife and birds of prey, while teaching the public about the roles of these wild neighbors. While with the Bronx Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo, Jen’s main priority was the care of exotic hoof stock, again while teaching the public about the delicate balance of humans & habitats. While working with a wildlife sanctuary in Half Moon Bay, CA, Jen played a major role in the wildlife training and handling of some 50 exotic species. Her major focus was creating curriculum for a variety of programs including at-risk and foster youth programming. These programs encompassed helping fragile children gain a sense of trust and worthwhile developing a healing relationship with the non-releasable wildlife at the sanctuary. Currently, Jen is the owner and sole proprietor of Jen Kotkin Pet Care, providing pet care as well as mental and physical exercise & stimulation for dogs, cats, horses, birds and more.