There’s something quietly comforting about leaves - the way they flutter in a soft breeze, brighten up a yard, or paint the world with bursts of color every fall.  But behind their appearance, leaves on trees and bushes are some of the hardest-working little factories in nature.  Their daily activities keep our air clean, our soil healthy, our planet stable, our spirits uplifted.

First and most famously, leaves are nature’s tiny solar panels.  Through photosynthesis, they absorb Sunlight and carbon dioxide, turning it into oxygen and energy for the plant.  This beautifully efficient system does more than just feed a tree - it generates the air we breathe!  Every leafy branch outside your window is quietly and efficiently producing oxygen all day long, without needing any help from Humans!  This highly efficient process has been going on for millions of years and is one of the core reasons that mammals are able to live on Earth!

Leaves are also excellent at keeping trees and bushes hydrated and cool.  When they release water vapor - a process called transpiration - they help regulate the plant’s temperature, almost like tiny natural air-conditioners. This same process adds moisture to the air, contributing to local rainfall as well as keeping the environment feeling fresh and alive.

Here is another amazing benefit!  Leaves are natural filters. They trap dust, pollutants, and even noise, making neighborhoods quieter and the air cleaner.  This is one of the reasons streets lined with trees just feel healthier, because they are.  Numerous scientific studies have also shown that neighborhoods with Trees have less crime!

When leaves finish their active season and fall to the ground, their work isn’t over.  As they break down, they feed the soil with valuable nutrients. This creates a rich, fertile environment for future growth - like nature’s own compost.  Even the leaf piles children love to jump in are part of a this amazing cycle of renewal.

Finally, leaves create a sense of emotional well-being.  Whether it’s the peaceful rustle on a summer night, the brilliant reds and golds of autumn, or the promise of spring’s first buds, leaves are woven into our sense of comfort and seasonal rhythms.  These cycles of renewal and restoration remind us that life all around us changes, renews, rests, and grows again.

In every season and stage, leaves are always blessing our world.  So, the next time you walk past a tree or brush your hand against a leafy shrub, remember to say “Thank You”!  Remember, you are standing beside one of nature’s greatest Blessings - doing a hundred important jobs at once, always reliable and extremely efficient, without any assistance from us!

Why Does Leaving the Leaves Matter for Birds and Bees and Other Tiny Creatures in Your Yard?

Keeping fall leaves on the ground - or gathering them into quiet leaf piles - is one of the simplest and most beneficial ways to Care for Creation! Leaves are not “yard waste.” They are Winter Homes, excellent Food Sources, and Protective Blankets for thousands of species who depend on those resources to survive the cold months.

Butterflies, moths, fireflies, lady beetles, native bees, ground beetles, and many tiny beneficial insects overwinter in leaf beds. Leaves protect them from frost, wind, predators, and sudden temperature drops. Many pollinator species cannot survive without this natural insulation.

Leaf litter is a natural feeding ground for thrushes, wrens, robins, chickadees, towhees, and other birds. They search for dormant insects, larvae, pupae, and eggs hidden beneath the leaves. Without leaf beds, birds lose key winter nutrition - especially protein needed for spring nesting.  Birds also need these Insects later in the Spring to feed their young nestlings.

A simple leaf pile in a quiet corner supports:

overwintering butterflies

native bees

frogs, toads, and salamanders (regionally)

fireflies

small mammals

beneficial beetles and spiders

These piles stay warmer than exposed ground and release moisture slowly, protecting wildlife from harsh winter conditions.

As leaves break down, they return minerals and organic matter to the soil, helping trees regain nutrients they shed. Leaf mulch also:

prevents erosion

reduces compaction

keeps roots warm

improves moisture retention

supports earthworms and beneficial fungi

Avoiding gas-powered leaf blowers reduces noise pollution and carbon emissions while keeping Wildlife from being disturbed during critical rest periods.

Leave leaves beneath trees and shrubs.

Create 1–2 leaf beds or leaf piles in corners of your yard.

Wait until mid-spring to move or compost them—after nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F.

Use rakes instead of blowers whenever possible.

Lightly mulch some leaves into garden beds while keeping plenty whole for wildlife.

Xerces Society, National Wildlife Federation, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, USDA Forest Service, Wagner (2020), Tallamy & Shropshire (2021), Hallmann et al. (2017–2022), USGS & USFWS.

Many of us know that in the Celtic spiritual tradition, all Creation is considered sacred. From the tiniest bug to the tallest Giraffe and the largest Whale in the deepest ocean, all of Creation is Sacred.  All Human Beings, regardless of their place of birth, the color of their skin, or the sound of their voice, are Sacred!  Our eyes may be different colors.  Our hair may have a different texture.  And, we come in many sizes, some tall, some short, some round, and some skinny.  We are all the Children of G~D, regardless of size, or intelligence, or food preference!

In the Celtic spiritual tradition, every electron, proton, including the nucleus of every atom came into form from within the Creator.  Now that may sound like a play on words, but it is not.  Our science and technology is sufficiently developed for us to understand that particles become waves and waves can become particles.  The Biblical reference I think goes well with current science is from John:1 KJV.

John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" is the first verse of the Gospel of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. 

We know that when we “speak”, our vocal organs create “sound” which is, of course, waves.  So, one way we could think about Creation, is that all form was the result of sound.  Or, Creation reflects the “sound” of the Creator’s voice.  So, listening to rain, or the song of a bird during Sunrise, or someone humming a lullaby to their child is the “sound” of the Creator.  Obviously, we can use our voices to create, to build up, or to harm … our choice.

Most of us know that Creation is Amazing, and Wonderful, and Funny, and Awesome!  We experience that whenever we make the time to wander around in the woods, or rest by a lake, or just sit on the porch, watching the Sun come up!

As we move into this Season of Gratitude, let us remember and, by remembering, once again feel how blessed we are by living in Creation.  Even when “the world” all around us seems to get crazier and crazier, we can still breathe fresh air, see amazing colors, and watch Squirrels chase each other endlessly up and down Trees!

Here are 2 prayers from the Celtic tradition that may help us move more gracefully through our day.

~ Morning Prayer ~

Almighty G~D, Creator,

This morning is Yours, rising into fullness.

This Summer is Yours, dipping into Autumn.

Eternity is Yours, dipping into Time.

The vibrant grasses, the scent of flowers,

The lichen on the rocks, the tang of sea-weed.

All are Yours.

Gladly, we live in this Garden of Your Creating.

~ Evening Prayer ~

The Sacred Three,

To Save, 

To Shield,

To Surround the Hearth,

The House this Eve,

This Night,

 And Every Night,

Every Single Night,

Each Single Night.

Amen

Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices 

for personal well-being and spiritual awareness.  

Her Caring for Creation podcast is an excellent resource 

for connecting with the Earth and restoring well-being. 

You can listen to her podcast here …

Caring for Creation!

Great Question !!!

We Care about Creation because all our Fresh Air, Water, and Food, including our fruits and vegetables, come from Creation!  Fortunately for us, Creation is always doing its best to provide Fresh Air, Water, and Food!  Everyday, Green Leaves and Green Grasses are continually absorbing CO2 (carbon dioxide) and generating clean, fresh Oxygen for US!  We could call that the Daily Miracle of Photosynthesis!

There is a continual weather cycle that can produce the rain and moisture we need for humans, animals, our forests, and our crops.  At the same time, every day we are spending millions and millions of dollars purifying the water we have already used.  I have a good friend who worked in a city water treatment plant for more than 20 years!  He told me it took time to adjust to the “toxicity” in the plant, especially when they were scrubbing down the tanks with strong chemicals.  He said some guys got sick and had to transfer to a desk position!

For years, especially since the Industrial Revolution, human beings have been adding more and more toxins to our environment.  We use toxic herbicides and pesticides everywhere all the time without much thought about the impact of those toxic chemicals.  People used to wash their fruit and vegetables to remove dust or dirt particles that came from their garden.  Now we wash our fruits and vegetables with other “special chemicals” to remove toxins from the outside before we cook.  Of course, this does not remove any toxins that have been absorbed by the fruit or vegetable.  Now, we look for “organic” fruits and vegetables and hope for the best.

My son, who lives in Georgia, is a Gardener.  He grows vegetables, only from Heirloom seeds.  And, he saves the seed from the vegetables that did well.  During spring and early summer, we discuss pollinators, soil quality, compost, how and when to plant, as well as last year’s crops.  We also talk about bugs and birds, which are common topics for gardeners.  And, we often trade photos of our favorite Bugs, Butterflies, Lizards, and Frogs!  You may not be a “Frog Fan”, but we can probably agree that the beauty, variety, and complexity of Nature is Amazing!

I am always fascinated by the seemingly endless shades of Green that we see in Spring.  And, I love to look for the first blooms of plants with all their shapes and shades of color.  Creation has amazing variety and, at the same time, it has tremendous stability and resilience.  We can learn about stability, being grounded, and understanding resilience just by gardening or spending quality time in the woods.  And, we can always benefit by breathing that soft, freshly minted air from Trees.  We are Blessed in so many ways by the amazing Beauty, and Variety, and Radiance that surrounds us in Nature!

During this season of Gratitude, take some time to be with Creation, to feel the fresh air, listen to birds calling to each other, or watch squirrels playing in the trees.  Being a Human Being, living on Planet Earth is a rare opportunity to experience beauty, resilience, amazing patterns like the Fibonacci Series, and the magic sounds of rain on the porch.  If we slow down, just a bit, we will be refreshed and renewed by Nature, a Blessing in Time and Space, directly from our Creator! 

Most of us remember seeing Dragonflies when we were growing up.  I grew up in SW Oklahoma, and I don’t recall seeing very many of them along the creek or by the stock tanks.  However, whenever we visited my aunt and uncle, who lived on a farm in the middle of Virginia, I saw plenty of them!  And, I was fascinated!  

There was a lovely creek that ran through the property, about a mile from the house.  I spent hours at that creek, playing in the water, looking for small fish (it was a small creek) frogs, and turtles.  The creek was a clear-running stream with a sandy bottom and assorted rounded rocks.  It was lined with trees, so it was the perfect place to hang out on hot days in the summer.

I remember watching the Dragonflies zooming along the creek, sometimes just inches above the water.  There weren’t many mosquitoes, flies or small biting insects there.  The main entertainment was the gently flowing creek and the darting Dragonflies.  At the time, I didn’t know the Dragonflies were the main reason there weren’t many flies or mosquitoes, or midges.  The voracious Dragonflies were keeping the creek free of tiny stinging or biting insects.

Because their 4 wings are engineered to move independently, and their multi-faceted eyes, covering more than half their face, Dragonflies are amazingly accurate hunters.  They easily detect small flying insects, even against complicated natural backgrounds.  And, they have the speed and agility to catch them in mid-air.  Truly amazing engineering … !!!

In addition to their hunting skills, the presence of Dragonflies tells us that any nearby water sources are healthy and not contaminated with pesticides, all of which kill insects!!!  When we see Dragonflies, we know any water source in the immediate area is not poisoned!

The following is research on Dragonflies done during the past 3 years, along with the sources.  I hope all this research inspires all of us to give up pesticides and allow Nature to rebuild the natural balance that can make us all healthier!

Dragonflies are among the most efficient predators ever studied. Field and lab work summarized by UC Davis biologists in 2023 reports that dragonflies often capture up to 95% of the prey they pursue—an astonishing success rate achieved with predictive “intercept” flight and panoramic vision. Those feats aren’t just athletic showpieces; they translate into real, daily removal of flying insects from the surrounding air. biology.ucdavis.edu

Crucially for public health and comfort, a 2023 meta-analysis in Journal of Animal Ecology pooled experiments across species and habitats and found strong evidence that dragonflies and damselflies reduce mosquito abundance, validating their role as biological control agents under the right habitat conditions. Effects were strongest where aquatic nurseries (for nymphs) and foraging corridors (for adults) were conserved or restored. besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com+1

Dragonfly life cycles amplify their impact on pest insects. For months (sometimes years), aquatic nymphs hunt mosquito larvae, midges, and other invertebrates among pond plants and leaf litter; after emergence, adults take over the aerial hunt. Studies in working landscapes show this matters beyond backyard comfort. For example, 2025 research from the University of Maryland reports that well-designed farm ponds can support robust dragonfly communities that exhibit behaviors consistent with conservation biological control—useful for reducing biting flies around cattle without more chemicals. Department of Entomology

Urban ecology is catching up, too. A 2024 open-access study tracking odonates across stormwater pond networks found that connectivity among ponds boosts dragonfly occupancy, suggesting that thoughtful placement of small water bodies in cities can strengthen natural pest control at a neighborhood level. PMC

Because dragonflies split their lives between water and air, they integrate signals from aquatic and riparian habitats. New studies reaffirm their value as bioindicators:

In plain terms: when dragonflies thrive, your creek or pond is likely oxygen-rich, structurally diverse, and less polluted; when they vanish, something is off in the water—or on the banks.

As we move through Fall to Winter and the temperatures continue to drop in north central Georgia, our backyard and woodland feathered neighbors will have a difficult time finding enough to eat.  We know part of the reason is the continued loss of habitat, along with fewer reliable seed sources.  Birds are hgh energy and need access to reliable sources of healthy seeds, possibly fall or winter berries, fresh water, and, if possible, suet.  

We can easily improve the odds of survival for all our feathered friends with just a few additions to our yards.  Even one or two hanging bird feeders with nutritious seeds, a source of clean water, and a suet hanger will go a long way to improving their odds of survival.  And, we will have hours of entertainment by just looking out our window to see who dropped by for a healthy meal. 

A scientific look at what’s happening in the U.S.   And, why it matters for farms, beekeepers, and all of us who Care about Creation.

Across the United States, we’ve been losing birds—quietly, steadily, and in very large numbers. The best nationwide studies show that North America has lost about 3 billion birds since 1970. That big number comes from radar, long-running bird counts, and other careful science. It’s sobering, but it also gives us a clear signal: when birds disappear, it usually means the whole web of life—the insects, wildflowers, soils, and streams that support them—is coming apart. That’s what scientists mean by declining biodiversity. Science+1

In the past 12 years, newer “state of the birds” checkups and federal science updates have confirmed that the slide is still happening. Grassland and arid-land birds—think of meadowlarks, bobolinks, and other open-country species—are among the hardest hit, with losses above 40% since 1970 and continuing declines reported in 2025. Audubon+2NABCI+2

Below is a simple walk-through of what’s driving the drop, why it signals a wider loss of life, and how it connects to farming, beekeeping, and pollinators.

Birds are messengers. When they vanish, it tells us that the whole living community is under stress: native plants are fewer; insect life is thinner; soils are less healthy; water is more polluted; and the timing of seasons is off-kilter. Global biodiversity reviews over the past decade warn that nature’s “everyday services”—pollination, pest control, clean water—are being eroded. Birds sit right in the middle of those services, and their decline is a red flag that the system is fraying. IPBES+1

Think of a meadow in June. If the wildflowers are sparse and the insect chorus is quiet, swallows and bluebirds won’t find enough to eat. Fewer birds means more crop pests survive, which can push farms toward still more pesticides—creating a loop that hurts the wider community of life. That’s biodiversity loss in everyday terms: fewer kinds of plants and animals, fewer helpful relationships, and a weaker, more brittle system.

Birds are natural pest control.

When Birds decline, pesticide use spirals upward.

When I try to imagine a greener and healthier world, I usually think of Roots & Shoots ~ Jane Goodall’s inspired youth movement, growing hope from local to global.  In the early 1990s, Jane Goodall quietly planted this idea.  Today it is growing in dozens of countries, with thousands of groups and tens of thousands of young people working in small groups with heart, courage, and creativity.  They are dedicated to making this Amazing Earth a better place for all Creatures Great and Small, including Human Beings!

Roots & Shoots began in 1991, on Dr. Goodall’s porch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She had been speaking at local schools, and a group of 12 teenagers, selected by their classmates, came to her with their concerns. Their primary concerns were deforestation, water quality, and wildlife decline in their neighborhood.  Instead of offering solutions herself, Jane asked them: What do you think you can do? 

Together they developed a simple three-part mission: help people, help animals, help the environment. That small gathering became the first Roots & Shoots group.Roots & Shoots ~ The Jane Goodall Institute USA and Global

From that first meeting, the Jane Goodall Institute nurtured the idea, sharing stories, studies, and encouragement,  the movement grew and spread.  Since 1991, local youth groups, school chapters, and community clubs in many countries adopted this model.  Young people obseerved their surroundings, identified a problem, took action, and celebrated their accomplishments together!   Children, Nature and Responsibility

Roots & Shoots is not centralized in the usual way of authority.  Instead it offers a flexible, but resilient form and support so that youth-led groups can bloom locally, while connecting with each other around the world.

Because groups are relatively autonomous, the program’s strength lies in its flexibility and adaptability.  Young People choose issues that matter to them locally,  and at the same time remain connected to a global network of encouragement, shared stories, and occasional collaborative campaigns (such as ForeverWild, tackling wildlife trafficking).                         Collaborative Campaigns

Because Roots & Shoots does not actively publish up-to-date, verified membership counts in its public materials, it is difficult to find reliable regional numbers.  The numbers listed below are estimates.

One of the most beautiful things about Roots & Shoots is seeing the concrete, imaginative ways youth take action in their own contexts. Here are three examples, each one drawn from Europe, Africa, and North America:

Africa

For instance, in 2022, the U.S. Roots & Shoots program highlighted projects ranging from native pollinator oases to hydroponic garden initiatives as part of its youth portfolio.

These Young People and their Programs are building a Better World, all around the World!  This is the Future!  The more we find ways to support Young People, their efforts, and aspirations, we are helping to create a better world, step by step.  Every effort counts and makes a difference in ways we can only imagine.

by Mary Christopher, Caring for Creation Series

Jane Goodall was born, April 3, 1934, in London, England, and grew up by the seaside in Bournemouth with her parents and younger sister, Judy.  Jane loved animals.  She spent hours watching birds and insects in the countryside with the family’s dog, Rusty.  At an early age, Jane had the ability and patience to sit quietly and watch insects, birds, and other small creatures for long periods.  She already had an amazing ability to focus and concentrate, which was unusual for such a young person. 

One of her favorite toys was a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee, a gift from her father when she was one year old.  According to her friends, Jubilee lived in her bedroom in her house in England after it was too tattered to travel with Jane.  By all reports, Jubilee was still there, with Jane all her life! 

Jane’s mother, Vanne, played a huge role in helping her follow her dreams.  When other adults laughed at Jane’s ideas about traveling and studying animals, her mother encouraged her.  She told her to stay curious and never give up.  She also encouraged Jane to read about far-off places.  She helped Jane keep exploring the world around her.  

One time, when she was very young, Jane had found worms in the garden, brought them inside, and wanted to sleep with them in her bed.  Fortunately, Jane's mother was very patient and understanding.  She explained to Jane that "her worms" would not do well living inside.  They needed their home in the garden.  Then Jane's very patient mother helped Jane take the dirt, with the worms, back to the garden.  She didn't scold Jane or fuss about the dirt.  She must have been a very patient mother!  

Jane also loved books like Tarzan of the Apes and Dr. Dolittle.  These stories filled Jane’s imagination with dreams of living in Africa and studying animals up close, in their native habitat.

When Jane finished school, she worked as a secretary and film assistant to save enough money for a trip to Africa.  In 1957, when she was 23, she took a big step, traveling by ship on the Kenya Castle to visit a friend in Nairobi, Kenya.  While she was in Kenya, she met Dr. Louis Leakey, a famous scientist who studied ancient human fossils.

Louis was a Kenyan-British palaeoanthropologist and archaeologist whose work was to show that humans evolved in Africa.  He and his wife were able to show this, particularly through discoveries made at Olduvai Gorge by his wife, fellow palaeoanthropologist Mary Leakey. 

They saw something special in Jane - her patience, her sharp eye, and love for animals - and Louis invited her to help with his research.  After working with the Leakey's for several years, he sent Jane to study chimpanzees at Gombe Stream Reserve in what was then Tanganyika (now Tanzania).  In July 1960, it wasn’t considered proper for a young woman to go alone into the jungle, so her mother, Vanne, came with her for the first few months.  Together, they set up a small camp near Lake Tanganyika, and Jane began her career!

Jane’s first days in the jungle were full of wonder and often challenges. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and insects, but the chimpanzees were shy and often ran away when she came near.  So, Jane would sit quietly for hours, watching from a distance.  Her patience paid off when one chimp, named David Greybeard, began to trust her.  One day, Jane watched as he picked up a twig, stripped off the bark, and poked it down a Termite mound to catch termites for a snack.  

This behaviour had never been seen before by scientists!  Using a twig as a tool to catch termites was a revelation to the scientific community and began to change scientists' ideas about the intelligence and creativity of chimpanzees.  This behavior had never been seen before in wild animals!

That moment changed the world’s understanding of animals and made Jane Goodall a pioneer in wildlife research.  And, it all began with a little girl who loved animals, a mother who believed in her, and a dream that carried her all the way from England to the heart of Africa.

Jane Goodall continued her work, observing Nature, writing, speaking on behalf of many places and many species.  She and the young people who worked with her in Kenya, founded Roots and Shoots, an International Youth Program dedicated to "caring for creation"!  The Mission of Roots and Shoots is to empower young people to effect positive change in their communities.  Young People can help build a better tomorrow!  It starts right here, right now! 

Despite their strength and beauty, hummingbirds face enormous challenges. They live close to the edge of survival every day. Their small size means they need constant food, water, and safe shelter. Even a short shortage of nectar or insects can be devastating.

When it’s time to migrate, many species undertake journeys of thousands of miles. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, common in the eastern United States, flies across the Gulf of Mexico in a single nonstop flight—500 miles over open water! Black-chinned and Rufous Hummingbirds travel through the western states and down into Mexico. These incredible journeys demand immense energy and luck.

Hummingbird mothers face predation, storms, habitat loss, and the daily stress of finding enough food while caring for helpless chicks. A nest shaken by wind or destroyed by human activity may end an entire brood.

Climate change disrupts blooming cycles, so nectar may not be available when hummingbirds need it most. Pesticides reduce insect populations, which are vital for protein-rich food. Urban sprawl and deforestation remove the trees and shrubs they rely on for nesting.

The good news is that every one of us can make a difference for hummingbirds. Here are some ways to help them thrive this fall and winter:

Plant native flowers that bloom at different times of year, ensuring a steady nectar supply.

Avoid pesticides and herbicides, which kill insects and poison the food web.

Put out clean feeders filled with simple sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water, no dye). Change it every few days.

Provide water sources, such as shallow fountains or misters, for bathing and drinking.

Protect habitat, leaving small shrubs, trees, and native growth for nesting.

When we help hummingbirds, we also help bees, butterflies, and countless other species. And in turn, we help ourselves—ensuring that pollination continues, gardens flourish, and ecosystems remain strong.

These remarkable birds remind us that even in the smallest wings beats the heartbeat of Creation. Our care, our gardens, and our choices this fall and winter can give hummingbirds the chance not just to survive, but to flourish for generations to come.

Mary Christopher shares the gifts of mindfulness and simple spiritual practices, guiding others through one-on-one coaching and heart-centered awareness.

She is the host of Caring for Creation podcast. Each episode opens a window into the Wonder of Earth and the deepening of our own spiritual awareness.