Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we welcome David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Federation to discuss the "Leave the Leaves" campaign for October. David shares the surprising ecological benefits of keeping fallen leaves on your property rather than removing them. From creating essential habitats for fireflies, bumblebees, and butterflies to reducing methane emissions and improving soil health, leaving leaves is an easy way to support wildlife and the environment.

David also offers practical tips on how to use fallen leaves effectively in your garden, such as mulching flower beds and maintaining a 3-5 inch layer. We also learn about the National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat program, which encourages homeowners to create wildlife-friendly spaces that provide food, water, cover, and places for animals to raise their young.

Join us to discover how a simple action like "leaving the leaves" can make a big difference for nature!

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.

While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning.