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Small Actions, Big Impact: Planting for Property Managers

Small Actions, Big Impact: Planting for Property Managers

By Tina Stolatis & Michael Berkowitz, ARM®

Green Space Matters—Even More Than You Think
The impacts of climate change and the lack of adequate green space affect everyone—whether you realize it or not. And even if you do recognize the problem, it can be hard to know where to start or how to create tangible change. The truth is simple: no green effort is too small in our current climate.

In recent years, we’ve all seen stories of destructive—and sometimes deadly—flooding. One of the major contributors is the endless expanse of concrete that defines most urban environments. Pavement and buildings prevent water from soaking into the ground, turning heavy rain into an uncontrollable surge that overwhelms outdated sewage systems that were never designed for today’s population levels or extreme weather events.

Plants help solve this. Roots create channels and pockets in the soil that allow water to be absorbed and held, reducing runoff and easing the burden on drainage infrastructure. That water can then be used productively by plants instead of seeping into basements and growing mold. Wouldn’t you rather rainwater help grow something beautiful than cause damage below your feet?

Trees: A Climate Tool Disguised as Landscaping
Planting trees is one of the most effective ways to get substantial root systems into the ground, but their benefits go far beyond flood mitigation. Shade from tree canopies is now recognized as a critical tool for reducing the “urban heat island” effect—the phenomenon where concrete and dark pavement absorb and radiate heat.

Imagine living somewhere so hot in the summer that simply walking down the street feels unbearable. Trees lower surface and ambient temperatures, making neighborhoods more livable. They also enhance property value, improve curb appeal, and make outdoor spaces more enjoyable. A tree-lined block isn’t just prettier, it’s cooler, healthier, and more desirable to live in.

Rethinking the Traditional Lawn
While grass is better than bare concrete, it’s still far from ideal. Traditional turf grass offers shallow roots, high maintenance demands, and little ecological benefit. Replacing or supplementing lawns with native plants, shrubs, trees, or even food-growing spaces provides far greater functional and aesthetic value.

If giving up a weekly lawn mower feels like too big too big, alternatives like clover are still an improvement. Even better, native plants offer deep root systems, require far less water and upkeep, and are already adapted to local conditions. They also support pollinators and wildlife that struggle to survive in urban areas.

For guidance, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides a comprehensive list of native plants suitable for landscaping:

• NYS DEC Native Plants Guide:
  https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/factnatives.pdf

• NYC Parks Native Species Planting Guide (4th Edition) offers an extensive planting guide, including recommended native species and plants to avoid:
  https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/203/NYC-Parks-Native-Species-Planting-Guide-4th-Edition__679cf96177b6b.pdf
  

Edible Gardens: Green Space You Can Use
For those who feel more ambitious, edible gardens can transform unused space into something interactive and rewarding—especially for tenants. Growing bags and containers are often the most versatile option: they’re easy to move, manageable, and can be refreshed annually by simply replacing the soil.

New York City’s curbside composting program provides free compost to residents, making it an excellent soil amendment and a powerful teaching tool. When tenants see their compost turned into food and flowers, waste separation suddenly becomes meaningful instead of burdensome.

Shared gardens can also foster community. Tenants who grow food together—or manage garden spaces collectively—tend to feel more invested in their building and surroundings.

Perennials: High Impact, Low Maintenance
If edible gardens feel too much responsibility, perennial flower gardens offer an equally impactful, low-maintenance alternative. Annual plants live for a single growing season, while perennials return year after year. In New York, that resilience means less replanting, lower long-term costs, and reduced labor.

Native perennials are especially valuable. Once established, many require minimal intervention and provide consistent habitat and food for pollinators throughout the seasons.

Small Changes Still Matter
Every property is different. Space limitations, budget, regulations, and tenant engagement all shape what’s feasible. But adding green space—whether it’s trees, garden beds, native plantings, or even a few pots of flowers—is often more achievable than it seems.

To us, it might look like a small gesture. To a pollinator navigating an otherwise barren concrete landscape, it could be a vital refuge. And collectively, those small efforts add up to cooler cities, healthier infrastructure, stronger communities, and a more resilient future.

No green effort is too small.

Tina Stolatis is an Associate member of IREM NYC and sits on the ESG committee. She's a sustainability and gardening educator with a passion for utilizing sustainable gardening to mitigate climate change while combatting food insecurity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and is currently a community garden manager who offers original presentations on these topics. She's otherwise known as a professional tree hugger. 

Michael Berkowitz, ARM® sits on IREM NYC's ESG committee as well as the Membership Engagement committee. He was the recipient of the Accredited Residential Manager of the Year award in 2024 and recently joined FirstService Residential in Portfolio New Development Management. He too is a fellow tree hugger.