Summer brings challenges residents, business owners and communities often dread: scorching heat, dusty conditions, sudden and heavy storms, and in some regions, increased wildfire risk. According to the TurfMutt Foundation, properly managed landscapes are one of the most effective – and often overlooked – tools for addressing these seasonal concerns.

“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,” said Kris Kiser, TurfMutt Foundation president and CEO. “They help communities stay cooler, cleaner and more resilient throughout the summer months. That’s a pretty impressive return from something some many take for granted.”

Here are four key benefits that parks, backyards, school and business campuses, and other managed green spaces provide.

Cool the air - Trees, shrubs, turfgrass and other plants combat the urban heat island effect through shade and evapotranspiration, the process by which plants release water vapor into the air. This natural cooling effect provides relief from summer heat and cools homes, businesses and neighborhoods. 

Capture and filter stormwater - Summer storms can deliver large amounts of rain unexpectedly and quickly. Healthy, managed landscapes act as living sponges, slowing rainfall’s effects by capturing and filtering water before it enters streams, rivers and groundwater supplies. This also reduces runoff and erosion, and helps prevent and alleviate localized flooding. 

Capture dust and particulate matter - Landscapes help improve air quality by trapping dust, pollen and particulate matter that would otherwise circulate during dry summer conditions, negatively affecting air quality.

Reduce fire risk - In areas vulnerable to wildfire, properly maintained landscapes can serve as effective fire breaks, and strategic landscape design and ongoing maintenance can create defensible space around homes and businesses. Regular mowing, pruning, irrigation and removal of dead vegetation reduces the fuel for fire and helps reduce its spread. 

“Also, never forget the important benefit of actively growing trees, shrubs and turfgrass capturing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen,” said Kiser. “Healthy green spaces also support pollinators, wildlife and overall ecosystem health.”