Hey there, Mulchers! Andrea here, with your weekly dose of Mulch musings.

Mulch Social!

First up, I would love to invite you all to join the Mulch team next Tuesday, Nov 18, at Pier 57 to talk about all things re-wilding, and enjoy some in-person, IRL connection! Click the link below to get all the info. Can’t wait to see y’all!

Autumn Stewardship

With night coming sooner and chillier days, I can tell the city is shifting into its winter rhythm. When I look out, I see the sidewalks and tree beds littered with fallen leaves. The instinct — especially in cities — is to tidy. Sweep. Clear. Cut back. “Make it look neat.”

But here’s the thing: a lot of urban wildlife depends on this so-called “mess.”

Many native butterflies and moths overwinter in leaf litter.

Certain species of native bees nest in shallow soil or shelter under leaves.

Ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects tuck themselves into dried plant stems for protection from freezing nights.

When we bag the leaves or cut everything down for the winter, we often remove the very places these species are trying to survive.

As I thought about what to write about this week, I realized how much value there can be in simply letting it all be. So, that’s my challenge to you all this week.

Protect some urban tree “trash”, and let that little ecosystem be.

Urban green spaces are already small and fragmented. But even tiny pockets of undisturbed leaf litter and dried stems can support pollinators, insects, soil microbes, and birds who depend on them for food and shelter through winter.

This is stewardship that looks like rest, but still can be deeply impactful.

I hope you’re all staying warm and cozy out there, Mulchers! Until next week!

🍂 Andrea

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