I reside in Lake Oswego’s Palisades neighborhood. I hear a cacophonous chorus of noisy, intrusive gas-powered leaf blowers from all directions almost every day, especially in the fall. These blowers not only cause noise and disturbance, but they also endanger the health of those who use them and destroy valuable habitat for the tiny animals that live in the leaves. The Xerces Society states that a layer of leaves provides essential protection from the cold for the numerous animals that hide inside or in the soil below, including a large number of butterflies. Some, like a lot of native bees, build their nests inside wood, flower heads, or stalks.
I want to urge my neighbors and the community at large to give up using gas-powered leaf blowers. To allow the leaves to enrich the earth, please leave them in their current location. Clearing roadways and sidewalks is undoubtedly important, but it’s simple to do so with a rake, broom, or, if needed, an electric leaf blower.
Melissa Rachel, Lake Oswego
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