From the Wild Ones Mountain Laurel chapter comes this great advice: Your leaves really do matter, and a recent research report co-authored by Max Ferlauto Maryland state entomologist, and Karen Burghardt, University of Maryland, College Park, enhances our knowledge of how best to use fallen leaves to support biodiversity. Previous work by Max showed how leaf litter affects soil health. You can also listen to the Xerces society interview of Max for their Bug Banter podcast Leave the Leaves or Lose the Insects or read about Max’s research in the New York Times column by Margaret Roach on 10/8/25.