By: Arthur Veilleux, Rewild NJ Movement Member
A Letter to the Editor published by our Movement Member for Coast Star Newspaper in Belmar, Monmouth County!
October 11, 2026
Every autumn, we have another opportunity to reconsider our relationship with nature. Here in Monmouth County, the familiar ritual of raking, blowing, and bringing leaves to the curb may leave yards looking tidy, but it also removes the foundation of a living ecosystem.
As a Rutgers master gardener, I have learned that fallen leaves are not waste. They are nature’s way of returning nutrients to the soil, protecting plant roots, conserving moisture, and providing winter shelter for native
bees, butterflies, fireflies, and countless other organisms. What appears to be decay is actually transformation, nourishing the next cycle of growth in
preparation for a spring renewal.
However, we need not completely abandon a sense of order. Simply move leaves, or have your service move them, from lawns and walkways into garden beds, beneath trees, or into a compost pile. Leave them intact where possible, allowing nature to do its work.
Imagine the collective impact if homeowners throughout Monmouth County embraced this simple practice. By doing less, together, we can nurture
healthier soil, support biodiversity, reduce noise and small engine pollution, and create a more sustainable community. Sometimes, the best thing we
can do for nature is give it an opportunity to work.
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