Nonprofit organization Keep Durham Beautiful is asking Durham residents to leave their tree leaves on the ground. This is part of a new initiative in partnership with New Hope Audubon Society to improve local ecosystems. The best thing about this project is that it requires residents to do literally nothing.
Leaves are a crucial component of a healthy ecosystem. Allowing the leaves to decompose where they fall or gently placing them in a specific area in your yard has a multitude of benefits:
- Leaf litter provides winter habitat for many pollinators and 94% of caterpillars, the two classes of insects we need most.
- Leaves help control weeds and enrich the soil as they decay. Lawn and bare ground provide none of these services.
- Leaves soak up water, reducing runoff and flooding.
- Leaving your leaves saves homeowners, businesses, and our governments time and money.
For more information visit www.leaveyourleaves.org
That’s a beautiful picture of a cecropia moth! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalophora_cecropia