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Managed Landscapes Help Combat Summer’s Biggest Challenges
The TurfMutt Foundation says maintained landscapes can lower temperatures, filter stormwater and cut wildfire fuel while supporting wildlife and cleaner air.
The TurfMutt Foundation says well-managed green spaces serve as critical tools for communities, offering 4 key benefits to combat seasonal challenges like extreme heat and wildfire risks.
"People often think of parks, yards and other green space as merely decorative, but they are one of the hardest-working assets in our communities," says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation.
Trees, shrubs, and turfgrass combat the urban heat island effect through shade and evapotranspiration, while managed landscapes act as "living sponges" that filter stormwater before it reaches groundwater supplies.
Strategic landscape design reduces wildfire spread by creating defensible space, while healthy vegetation improves air quality by trapping dust, pollen, and particulate matter during dry summer conditions.
Actively growing plants also capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, Kiser noted, supporting overall ecosystem health and providing long-term environmental benefits that extend beyond immediate seasonal protection.