Nature’s Blanket: Learn About Charlotte’s Newest Campaign

Fall is here, and the leaves are falling once again! Learn more about the City of Charlotte’s Leave Your Leaves Campaign and how you can participate!

What is Leave Your Leaves

If you follow any of our social media or receive our monthly newsletter, you might have heard of Leave Your Leaves [link]. But what does this actually mean? Simply put, Leave Your Leaves is a fall campaign where the City of Charlotte’s Landscape Management Division is encouraging residents to leave their leaves in their yards. The campaign started October first, and residents can continue to pick up free yard signs until November 10^th, while supplies last.

Although the last pickup day for signs is November 10th, residents are encouraged to leave their leaves until the end of winter; by spring, your leaves will have decomposed, and a fresh, green, healthier yard awaits you!

Who Does This Benefit?

Everyone! From the tiniest insect to the tallest tree, everyone benefits when you leave your leaves. But how? From a human perspective, letting your leaves lie where they fall means less yard work. As long as you keep them from entering storm drains, there’s not much you need to do; nature does it for you!

small yellow and black bee on yellow flower

Wildlife also benefits when you leave your leaves. Many native pollinators, insects, and other small wildlife utilize leaf litter as a cozy place to stay over winter. Think fire flies, butterflies, and cute toads. All of these creatures use leaves in one way or another to survive the winter.

Your yard also benefits! Fallen leaves act as free a natural mulch. Over fall and winter, leaves will insulate the ground, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Come spring, those leaves will have broken down into organic-rich matter, giving your grass and other plants the important nutrients they need to survive!

How YOU Can Participate

If you have a yard, visit one of the participating sites to pick up a sign:

Landscape Management facility (701 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte 28208) Weekdays only from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Code Enforcement (2550 West Blvd.) Weekdays only from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Code Enforcement (3505 Central Avenue) Weekdays only from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Code Enforcement (11217 Providence Road West) Weekdays only from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Innovation Barn (932 Seigle Ave.) Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Reedy Creek Nature Center (2986 Rocky River Road) Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Compost Central (140 Valleydale Road) Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

It’s good to note that Leave Your Leaves doesn’t mean you HAVE to leave them right where they fall. If you need the yard space gently rake or blow leaves under a tree or to a designated area where they can lie for the season. Avoid shredding or mowing leaves, as you could potentially harm wildlife hidden underneath. Try to keep leaves off hard surfaces, like sidewalks and driveways, as they could easily end up in storm drains.

Even if you don’t own a yard, you can encourage your friends and family to participate; one yard or voice can encourage others to participate. You can help make Charlotte’s urban environment that much safer and healthier for yourself, your neighbors, and Charlotte’s wildlife.