Leave the Leaves this Fall – A Smart Choice for your Lawn and for Wildlife

October 15, 2025

By: Sam Volz, Interim Interpretive Services Supervisor

As you step into your yard this fall and notice leaves of red, yellow and orange littering your lawn, before you reach for the rake a lawn bags, take a closer look at those leaves. You’ll see that there is a tiny world of living creatures hidden beneath the foliage. Fallen leaves are a safe haven and essential habitat for numerous wildlife species.

No Job is too Small

Many moth species including the Luna and Polyphemus Moth will utilize the dead, fallen leaves to construct their cocoons and provide them with much needed camouflage as the overwinter. Wooly bear caterpillars are often seen travelling in the fall in search of protective cover where they will spend months in their pupal form beneath the leaves. Without fallen leaves, many would miss out on the dancing bioluminescence of the firefly. Firefly larvae depend on the protection of leafy vegetation to survive for the months to years it will take for them to reach their adult form.

Detritivores, or animals that feed on dead organic matter, such as millipedes, beetles and pill bugs require fallen leaves as a source of food as well as shelter. These organisms act as nature’s cleanup crew, breaking down organic waste and turning it into beneficial nutrients for the soil.

The leaves that fall from the trees are not only providing for insects during the fall and winter months. Many amphibians and reptile species will seek refuge beneath the leaves where they can safely go into brumation. Several snake and frog species will burrow deep into the ground, below the frost line. Leaf litter provides a layer of warmth to aid in the survival of these “cold-blooded” creatures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s for the Birds

Leaf litter benefits birds in a variety of ways. Birds such as the Ovenbird rely on fallen leaves for nesting, often weaving the leaves directly into their ground nest. Leaves can provide protection against the cold temperatures of winter, and camouflage from predators. Birds in the fall and winter will forage leaf litter in search of seeds and berries that may be hiding. As food sources get scarce, birds are dependent on the invertebrates and larva that overwinter beneath the leafy surface.

 

 

 

Providing a Helping Hand

Many Michigan mammals will also take advantage of fallen leaves to help them survive the harsh winter months. Chipmunks are often seen stuffing their cheeks with leaves in Autumn to create a cozy spot to hibernate. Squirrels will collect and arrange leaves in a stick nest, known as a drey, Opossums, with the assistance of their prehensile tails, will gather leaves to use in dens and shelters for an added layer of warmth.

Humans Need Them Too

If it weren’t enough to leave the leaves for the insects, mammals, amphibians and more – there are numerous other reasons to delay or skip the yard work altogether. Fallen leaves act as a natural form of mulch to protect plants and provide nutrients to the soil. It also helps to improve soil structure, increase moisture retention and suppress weed growth.

 

 

 

Leave the Leaves this Fall

Keeping leaves on your lawn and out of compost piles or landfills is an eco-friendly option that keeps your lawn and wildlife happy. This fall, skip raking up all the leaves and provide safe spaces for wildlife. Whether in a small, designated area of the yard, or the whole place. Fallen leaves are a gift for the health of your yard and animals big and small.