{"id":30247,"date":"2024-11-11T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=30247"},"modified":"2026-05-27T21:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T01:24:21","slug":"leaving-leaves-benefits-wildlife-wild-bulletin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/leaving-leaves-benefits-wildlife-wild-bulletin\/","title":{"rendered":"Leaving Leaves Benefits Wildlife – Wild Bulletin"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Pickerel<\/a>Wild Bulletin<\/u><\/a>, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife: <\/em>Instead of raking and bagging\u00a0leaves<\/span>\u00a0this fall, consider allowing them to stay and naturally decay. Fallen\u00a0leaves<\/span>, plant stems, flower heads, twigs, and logs provide crucial winter habitat for Indiana\u2019s\u00a0wildlife<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The warmth and cover of\u00a0leaves<\/span> provide shelter for Eastern box turtles, salamanders and frogs, as well as insulation for butterflies and moths. Leaf piles can even benefit landscaping, as they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add nutrients to the soil as they decay.\u00a0Leaves<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t have to be left exactly where they fall\u2014you can rake them into flower beds and around tree bases.<\/p>\n

For more information about creating habitat for\u00a0wildlife<\/span> in your backyard, visit the DNR website<\/a> and the Wildlife Habitat Fact Sheet<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Wild Bulletin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Resources:
\n<\/strong>Frost Seeding to Establish Wildlife Food Plots and Native Grass and Forb Plantings<\/a> \u2013 The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
\nWildlife Habitat Hint: Tips for Evaluating a First Year Native Grass and Forb Plantings<\/a>, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
\nDrone Seeding Native Grasses and Forbs: Project Overview & Drone Setup<\/a>, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube channel
\nForest Improvement Handbook,<\/a> The Education Store
\nOrdering Seedlings from the State Forest Nursery System<\/a>, Got Nature? \u2013 Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
\nDesigning Hardwood Tree Plantings for Wildlife<\/a> \u2013 The Education Store
\nID That Tree<\/a> \u2013 YouTube Playlist
\nForest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest<\/a>, The Education Store
\nAsk the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Birds and Salamander Research<\/a>, Purdue Extension – FNR
\nA Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan<\/a>, The Education Store
\nManaging Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer<\/a>, The Education Store
\nWoodland Stewardship for Landowners<\/a>, Playlist, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube channel
\nNature of Teaching Unit 1: Animal Diversity and Tracking<\/a>, The Education Store
\nSubscribe Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel<\/a>, Playlists include wildlife, Nature of Teaching, Moments in the Wild and much more.<\/p>\n

Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of Fish & Wildlife<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wild Bulletin, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife: Instead of raking and bagging\u00a0leaves\u00a0this fall, consider allowing them to stay and naturally decay. Fallen\u00a0leaves, plant stems, flower heads, twigs, and logs provide crucial winter habitat for Indiana\u2019s\u00a0wildlife. The warmth and cover of\u00a0leaves provide shelter for Eastern box turtles, salamanders and frogs, as well […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,80,43,53,54],"tags":[1098,619,460,71,883,72],"class_list":["post-30247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forestry","category-trees","category-gardening","category-urbanforestry","category-wildlife","tag-backyards","tag-indiana-department-of-natural-resources","tag-leaves","tag-urban-forestry","tag-wild-bulletin","tag-wildlife","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t