Do you always sweep up autumn leaves and throw them in the bin? But have you thought about the fact that wildlife can make use of the leaves?

Hedgehogs can make use of leaves as they hibernate this winter.

This month’s SEP newsletter gives some tips as we in the Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership seek to be more eco friendly.

Leaf litter provides shelter for over-wintering invertebrates and nesting material for hedgehogs etc. Dead leaves are also an important part of the natural cycle of plants and soil. As they decay they put back carbon that contributes to the soil ecology and encourages healthy microbial activity.

One option is to use leaf litter as mulch around the bases of trees or on vegetables and flower beds. This will help to insulate the soil over winter, protecting the soil’s microbial life.  Alternatively the leaves can be composted.

Keep Halloween Green! Remember to compost pumpkins or put them in your green bin. They are poisonous for hedgehogs so don’t leave them in the garden.

Bring children to events like Glow in the Dark at St James so avoiding the plastic Halloween paraphernalia that appears in the shops!

For more news in the October newsletter please follow the link.