Like I’m not even an expert but I coulda told you that nature already knows what to do with the leaves (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/to-rake-or-not-to-rake-expert-tips-for-eco-friendly-autumnal-lawn-care). This isn’t just conservatives, who usually do the yard work themselves, but liberals too. Except the libs hire immigrants to do landscaping, rake the leaves, and then leave them in bags for trash guys to pick them up where they’ll go to a landfill or be burned or whatever.
Piles of leaves make great insulation for your perennials and you can mulch them in the spring to put the nutrients back into your garden bed. They are a gift from nature.