TurfMutt Celebrates Earth Day: 8 Ways Managed Landscapes Benefit the Planet

This Earth Day—and throughout April’s Lawn and Garden Month—the TurfMutt Foundation is spotlighting the vital role green spaces play in creating a healthier planet.

“Every day is Earth Day in communities that invest in parks, schoolyards, and backyards,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which has advocated for the care and use of green spaces around us for over 15 years. “These landscapes are environmental powerhouses, helping to cool our neighborhoods, support biodiversity, and improve air quality. We encourage everyone to plant something, step outside, and embrace the nature just beyond their doorstep.”

8 ways managed landscapes help save the planet:

1. Cool Down Our Communities – Parks, yards, natural turf sports fields, and green schoolyards help reduce the urban heat island effect.
2. Boost Oxygen Production – Trees, lawns, and greenery act as natural oxygen generators.
3. Capture Carbon – Turfgrass is an efficient carbon sink, absorbing up to seven times more carbon than is released through maintenance.
4. Support Wildlife & Pollinators – Living landscapes provide essential food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.
5. Improve Air Quality – Vegetation acts as nature’s air filter, trapping dust and pollutants to keep our air clean.
6. Reduce Noise Pollution – Plants and trees serve as natural sound barriers, helping to create quieter environments.
7. Manage Water Runoff – Landscaping, especially turfgrass, absorbs and filters rainwater, helping to replenish ground water supplies.
8. Prevent Soil Erosion – Plant roots help stabilize the soil, reducing erosion and protecting land from degradation.

To help children and families explore the benefits of green spaces, the TurfMutt Foundation offers free lesson plans and activities designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Discover more in the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book, and don’t miss Mulligan the TurfMutt on CBS’s Lucky Dog Saturday mornings.

Stay connected with Mutt Mail, the TurfMutt Foundation’s monthly newsletter packed with backyarding tips and updates.