We are sharing this article from our friends at Maine Lakes:
A great way to help your lake (and critters like this Luna Moth Caterpillar) is to build up the layer of duff – the spongy layer of decomposing organic matter on the ground including leaf litter, woody debris, and dead plant material – on your property. Duff, along with other layers of vegetation, including trees, shrubs and ground cover, help hold soil in place, prevent erosion, and intercept and absorb rainwater and water runoff from upland areas, filtering out pollutants. They also create more biodiverse and resilient ecosystems that cycle nutrients and support wildlife.
See this PBS News piece for more about the benefits of “Leave The Leaves”.
Photo: Dave Wedelken
This article was included in 30 Mile’s October 2024 newsletter. To view the full newsletter, click here.