Kirkland’s storm and surface water outreach team is encouraging residents to leave or repurpose fallen leaves where appropriate — and the city is easing disposal this month with free extra yard‑waste pickup, the team said on the City of Kirkland podcast Nov. 6.

Kate Schmidt, environmental education and outreach specialist for storm and surface water, said a thin layer of leaves can help fertilize lawns and that homeowners can rake or mulch leaves into garden beds and tree basins to provide free mulch. "A tree is self mulching," Schmidt said, noting that leaving leaf material where it benefits plants conserves nutrients.

The program is intended to keep leaves out of streets and storm drains, where they can clog drains and wash into creeks and lakes. Schmidt said the solid‑waste team — relaying information from staff member Gina Jan — is allowing residents to place up to five extra 32‑gallon compostable paper bags of yard waste per week during November at no additional charge. Bags should be placed at least three feet from regular carts so trucks can service all containers, she said.

Schmidt also emphasized ecological benefits of leaf litter. She said leaf packs provide overwintering habitat for many beneficial insects and pollinators. "Most butterfly species will overwinter in leaf litter," she said. In the recording she cited a figure — "up to 45" — about reduced butterfly emergence when leaf litter is removed; the unit was not specified on the podcast recording. In addition, Schmidt said many native bees are ground‑nesting and benefit from the insulating cover that leaves provide.

While encouraging homeowners to repurpose leaves where practical, Schmidt warned that leaves in the street present public‑safety and water‑quality risks. "Those leaves can block storm drains, and they can decompose and make streets slippery and less safe," she said. She added that decomposing leaves flushed to creeks can increase nitrogen and phosphorus loads, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.

The city recommends compostable paper bags for curbside yard waste rather than plastic bags. For details about the November pickup allowance and other disposal questions, Schmidt said residents should contact the Kirkland recycling hotline or visit the city website.

Kirkland’s storm and surface water outreach team also offered tips for residents who want to minimize leaf runoff: mulch or move leaves into planting beds, keep leaves off sidewalks and out of streets, and clear leaves from storm drains in front of homes when possible.