Planning to rake up the leaves on your lawn?

Well the Nature Conservancy is asking people to go light on getting rid of all of their leaves this fall.

They say that leaving a thin layer of fallen leaves on the ground around your yard will create better backyard biodiversity and help improve your lawn.

When leaves fall to the ground they eventually decompose and become and all-natural (and free) mulch or fertilizer for your yards soil and grass.

It'll make better fermenting soil for your gardens and help grow healthier grass.

However, leaving a thick layer on your lawn may suffocate it.

Just a thin layer will be more than enough to give you a healthier backyard.

Not only does it help create a better, healthier landscape but it's also useful for the critters back there too.

Insects and small birds can seek shelter in the fallen leaves during winter's hibernation period.

Things like pruned branches and hedge clippings also create habitats.

80% of Canadians are living in urban areas and backyard biodiversity is becoming more and more important.

"We've come to think of our lawns and front yards as extensions of our living rooms. Whereas, they're really a part of nature and we need to recognize that even if we live in an urban environment nature is right outside our window and these natural processes like leaves falling and decomposing are vital to sustaining pollinators around us that actually help sustain us in the long run," says Jensen Edward the National Media Relations Manager at the nature Conservancy.

Putting fallen leaves in gardens and vegetable patches will also help protect your gardens from the winter's freeze to thaw process.

One thing people can worry about picking up is pine needles.

The needles are acidic and can actually harm people's lawns and roofs.

Edward says, "We all still play a roll in the natural cycles of our world and this is just one way we can help out."