The Landscape of Well-Being: an FAQ for healthcare facility managers

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

Hospital landscapes are one of the best ways we know to bring nature into the healing process.

At Eastern Land Management, we are at the forefront of a movement that is promoting healing, reducing stress, and elevating the quality of life.

From our experience as a preferred healthcare partner, green spaces, and the plants and trees that create them, are not just a way to beautify your outdoor space, but a profound practice that offers a multitude of benefits, a deep sense of satisfaction, and a strong sense of rootedness in the world.

With that in mind, we’re pushing the boundaries of what healing landscapes can achieve; embracing new technologies, sustainability practices, and innovations that improve the performance of hospital grounds, and offer both patients and staff the chance to feel happier, healthier and better by stepping outside.

In nearly 50 years of serving facility managers in the healthcare segment, we’ve been asked a lot of questions and find that the more things change, the more the basics matter.  We consolidated our most frequently asked questions around five common themes to help you take the guesswork out of finding the landscape partner that’s right for you.

Q: Facility managers want to make sure landscape teams can keep up with corporate demands. What technologies are being used to shorten the distance between problem and solution, close loops, and save energy and cost?

A: ELM has been in the digital collaboration space for decades and takes a data governance approach to security. We have adopted specialized information integration tools that make us more efficient in our interactions, limit disruptions to healthcare staff. The strategy here is to eliminate all unnecessary “red tape” in order to be more productive, use smart tools and smart people to solve problems faster, and be intentional about meeting our clients in a common zone of opportunity,

Q: Facility managers believe it takes experience to scale efficiently and effectively. Does your landscape team have the correct leadership and skill set, agility, size, scope and talent?

A: ELM’s talent roster includes multiple experts who understand the needs and business models of commercial real estate (CRE) and facilities management, and who have segment experience in healthcare. As a company, we are corporate partners with multiple CRE associations, and have a commitment to grow and scale systematically, all while keeping our eye on the stars and our feet on the ground.

Q: Facility Managers want consistency, quality and service excellence. Can your landscape partner deliver a unified experience?  

A: ELM prioritizes market research, customer feedback, benchmarking and data-based insights. But mostly, it all starts with being a good partner, believing that good relationships matter, and understanding our customers’ needs. Our team is empowered to make decisions in the moment and in the field and go over and above to have a positive impact on the people and properties we serve. To us, problems are unnecessary boomerangs. They’ll come back to us if we don’t nip them in the bud.

Q: ARE YOU nimble enough to Be one step ahead?

A: ELM has rewired its operating model to optimize nimble. We have built agile, cross-functional teams around value creation, have instilled a culture of accountability, and invested in our team’s talent, skills, and professional development with advanced certification and training programs, and CEUs. We’re only as good as our bench—our corporate performance depends on the depth and quality of a new generation with talent ready to step in and do whatever it takes to provide fresh ideas and perspective.

Q: what ARE your landscape teams DOING to COMPLY WITH GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEMS AND contribute to healthier landscape environments?

A: ELM is a Sustainability ChangeMaker and winner of an award in Fairfield County for drought and conservation management.  We are a Community Impact Partner, support our local downtowns, our green cities initiatives, and urban renewal projects.  We are advocates for:

  • Our clients, our communities, our employees, and the people we serve.
  • Our partners’ green goals, our net zero/EV/battery-powered noise-reduction (“When Quiet Matters”) program; our tailored agronomic, integrated pest management, and plant health care plans.
  • Training, professional development, certification, and building a culture of learning continuous improvement.
  • Pollinator and beneficial-insects, turf-to meadow conversions, hanging baskets, and dramatic container displays.
  • Using our talents as landscapers to make our world a more beautiful, greener and healthier place to live, work and play.

Eastern Land Management has been serving leaders in Connecticut and Westchester County’s healthcare industry since 1976.

Contact CEO Bruce Moore Jr. at203- 316-5433 to learn more.

ELM earns high marks in trust, loyalty and retention

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In the book, The Amazement Revolution, there’s a concept related to employee experience called F.U.N., an acronym for Fulfillment, Uniqueness and Next, that draws a statistical link between a fun-at-work engaged team and their ability to deliver a better customer experience.  In other words, companies that score high marks in employee happiness, score equally high marks in customer satisfaction.

In 2024 alone, we had over a 95 percent employee retention rate. Our customer retention numbers were just as strong at 96 percent.

For a relationship-focused company like ELM, long lasting relationships make sense. And not just for business; many of our long-term clients and employees have also become friends.

“If we want to lead in loyalty and trust, nothing is more important than having a deep bench of smart, knowledgeable and passionate people who can take our business to the next level,” said ELM CEO Bruce Moore Jr. “Whether we’re hiring from schools and colleges, or recruiting from our local communities, we look for character — not just what people can achieve or their degree or last job title, but what they’ve learned from life and how their experience can help them serve others”

Having a trained, competent team is a plus. Our technical staff is certified in their specialties; our snow pros have received advanced certification and training in winter technologies and safety and risk management; our horticulturists are educated in the art and science of plant health; and crews across our service lines – water management technology, irrigation, tree and turf care, and landscape maintenance – are aligning their skills and competencies to our client’s needs.

As our business has grown, there has never been a time when we’ve felt that there is so much more we can do. With our 50th year in business only months away, our promise will always be one where relationships come first. where emotional bonds matter, and where genuine, authentic people-driven moments create lasting value.

To learn more about ELM’s culture of excellence, our commitment to best-in-class personal service, and our commitment to have a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve, contact CEO, Bruce Moore Jr., at 203-316-5433.

Davis Foster Joins Eastern Land Management as Division Manager

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Eastern Land Management announced that Davis Foster has joined its team as Division Manager overseeing Turf & Ornamentals and Water Management.  Foster joins ELM with a degree in turfgrass management from Penn State University and a career in the golf industry. He will be based out of ELM’s branch office in Monroe, Connecticut.

He says spending summers on golf courses as a kid is what drove his passion for meticulously groomed turf, as well as his  love for the game. “My dad was the General Manager of a local golf club, so I was fortunate to experience the business from the inside. But whether you grow up playing the game or get the bug for it later in life, you learn to focus on the green—where you want to go instead of thinking about where you’re stuck.”

“We’re always looking to improve our customer’s experience and Davis’ expertise in agronomy and turf health offers our customers special knowledge no one else can provide,” said ELM CEO, Bruce Moore, Jr.

Foster adds that if there was any one thing he’d like ELM’s customers to think about differently, it would be to increase biodiversity in their landscapes. “University researchers are developing new varieties of plants that can withstand extreme weather. When we use a greater diversity of plants suited to the site, it creates a dynamic plant community and strengthens the entire system—from improving soil health to serving as a natural deterrent to pests. Plus, there’s ample evidence that biodiverse landscapes attract pollinators and wildlife, and makes the plants look better and bloom longer, too.”

Please join us in welcoming Davis Foster to our team.

Greener Pastures for Mixed-Use

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

The way we use flowers, plants and trees to transform spaces into places people love serve multiple purposes.  For mixed-use projects, plants open up a world of economic possibilities.  From public plazas to rooftop gardens, the ROI is better than ever as smart landscapes continue to increase property value year-after-year.

On trend 

A new way of looking at beauty is in. For landscaping, that means more nature, more natural solutions, more perennials, and more trees to help cool the air.  Conventional lawns are being replaced by eco-friendly meadows, and we’re swapping-out high-maintenance plants for plants that can go with the flow when weather shifts

We recommend 

  • Smart technologies that monitor resources and water 24/7
  • Predictive AI, analytic tools and market intelligence to identify cost effective solutions
  • Digital platforms that facilitate improved communication and reporting
  • Integrated pest management to reduce chemical applications
  • Plant and soil health programs to boost the landscape’s ability to thrive
  • Noise-reducing EV and battery powered equipment
  • Stylish planters and screening shrubs that create a sense of seclusion
  • Controller-based drip systems in containers and plants lightly fertilized with non-toxic products for minimal impact
  • Colorful annual rotation 4/x year to soften surrounding hardscape
  • Zone hardy, climate-adaptive plant material that can go with the flow when weather shifts
  • Climate-positive landscaping strategies, more plants to decrease pollution, and healthier soils to sequester carbon

Learn More

Discover the importance of ROI for sustainable decision-making. Contact Marc Angarano and Ted Marron at sales@easternland.com to learn more.

 

 

Climate-Positive: Our Path to a More Sustainable Future

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

Eastern Land Management is committed to providing significant economic benefits through sustainable best practices that improve landscape and ecosystem health, protect and conserve resources, and enhance healthier, higher-performing commercial landscapes.

On approach to 2026–our 50th year in business–we are doubling-down on our commitment to do our part to create a more sustainable,  more environmentally-resilient,  and more climate-positive future.

The path forward 

  • Recruit, train and develop landscape and snow professionals, and technical specialists who support our commitment to sustainability and drive progress on goals.
  • Partner with the commercial real estate (CRE) community to  provide landscape services and nature-based strategies that minimize environmental impacts, support green infrastructure, and harness the unique capacity of landscape to reduce and sequester carbon dioxide.
  • Help our clients in commercial real estate and property and facility management to create sustainable value by conducting business with integrity and a shared commitment to advance climate action goals.
  • Help our commercial real estate clients achieve net zero emission goals through a range of options, including robotics, autonomous mowers, smart technology framework, and alternative fuels.
  • Help commercial real estate clients accelerate its transition to a regenerative economy through our commitment to and use of practices that drive carbon sequestration through soil regeneration, plant and ecosystem health.
  • Help commercial real estate clients achieve a climate-positive profile through ongoing improvements in water conservation, irrigation technology, smart water management, ground water health, green waste composting, integrated pest management, resource conservation, erosion control, improvements in energy efficiency, and the use of green technologies that support green building and LEED initiatives.
  • Help commercial real estate clients benefit from the ‘E’ (environmental) metric in ESG, and derive economic benefits that come from high-performing landscape and grounds management services.

Alliances

Our green framework is anchored by a network of sustainability thought leaders and stakeholders who care about these issues as much as we do.

For instance, we …

  • partner with Aquarion Water Company to increase awareness and approaches to water conservation and drought management.
  • are Premier Partners with global irrigation technology pioneer Weathermatic.
  • train with world-class EV manufacturers and sustainable snow and ice consultants.
  • are EV-certified through the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA).
  • are active members and leaders of national and local trade associations across the industries we serve, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP),  Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), Building & Office Managers Association (BOMA) Southern Connecticut Chapter and BOMA Westchester County, and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.
  • are certified professionals with advanced accreditation from both the Green Industry and Snow & Ice Industry.
  • have a dedicated sustainable snow/ice and winter operation at our green hub and brine-making facility, located in Monroe Connecticut.
  • provide services that support LEED criteria and work with LEED-certified properties across the CRE spectrum.
  • are experienced in navigating complex logistics for on-structure landscapes and complex commercial sites, including environmentally-sensitive watershed-adjacent, multi-grade, and elevated terrains.
  • have won national Awards of Excellence for our clients across categories, including recognition for Class A green roofs and “green cities” initiatives for urban redevelopment.
  • were recognized as a 2030 Sustainability ChangeMaker by Fairfield County for drought and water management leadership and contribution to urban sustainability.

Advocacy

  • We believe landscape professionals are uniquely situated to advocate for and lead on sustainability, and  will continue to collaborate with clients, suppliers and allied professionals to champion better ways to make Connecticut and Westchester County, NY, water smart, green smart, and healthier, more beautiful places to live, work and play.

For more information on ELM’s path to sustainability, go to: Sustainability | Eastern Land Management | Commercial Landscaping CT & NY

References:

https://www.easternland.com/meet-elms-silent-weapon-in-climate-positive-noise-reduction/

https://www.easternland.com/elms-green-infrastructure-program-is-tackling-urban-stormwater/

https://www.easternland.com/from-the-ground-up-why-soil-regeneration-leads-to-healthier-landscapes/

https://www.easternland.com/elm-is-driving-the-e-in-esg-heres-why-that-matters/

How beautiful landscaping improves health and well-being for seniors.

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

As a professional in the landscape industry and someone with aging parents and in-laws, the stress of finding the right living situation for our loved ones can be overwhelming. It goes beyond financial concerns; we also aspire to place our loved ones in an environment they will truly enjoy, and it all begins with the external aesthetics.

In the domain of senior and assisted living facilities, the significance of establishing a supportive and enriching atmosphere cannot be emphasized enough. With the aging population on the rise, there is a growing awareness of how profoundly surroundings can influence the well-being of residents. An increasingly recognized focal point in this regard is the incorporation of beautiful landscapes into these facilities. Beyond mere aesthetics, a meticulously designed natural environment plays a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life for seniors.

The presence of a lush lawn, vibrant flowers, and calming water features has been proven to contribute to the overall well-being of seniors. Exposure to nature has been linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced mental health. In an environment where residents may face various health challenges, the therapeutic effects of beautiful landscapes become invaluable.

Access to well-maintained outdoor spaces encourages seniors to engage in physical activities, promoting a healthier lifestyle. Walking paths, gardens, and outdoor seating areas provide opportunities for light exercise and social interactions. Additionally, exposure to nature has been associated with cognitive benefits, potentially slowing down cognitive decline and improving memory.

Beautifully landscaped areas serve as inviting communal spaces, fostering social interactions among residents. Whether engaging in group activities, enjoying a family visit in a garden, or participating in outdoor events. This is vital for mental and emotional well-being.

Maintaining outdoor spaces can offer seniors a sense of purpose and engagement. Gardening clubs, outdoor yoga classes, or music events are just a few examples of activities that can be organized in these landscapes. Such activities contribute to a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.

Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure that outdoor spaces remain vibrant and welcoming. Lawns should be well-maintained, and seasonal flowers can be incorporated to provide visual variety throughout the year. Additionally, ensuring that these areas are easily accessible to all residents, including those with mobility challenges, is essential.

In the evolving landscape of senior and assisted living facilities, the incorporation of beautiful outdoor spaces is more than a luxury; it is a necessity for promoting the well-being of residents. Beyond the physical infrastructure, the beauty of nature has the power to uplift spirits, create a sense of purpose, and enhance the overall quality of life for seniors. As we continue to innovate in the realm of elder care, let us not underestimate the transformative impact that a carefully designed and maintained landscape can have on the lives of those who have contributed so much to our communities.

By Marc Angarano, ELM Client Services, North Region (Monroe CT)

Contact: sales@easternland.com

Sustainability is Not Just for Summer: Meet the Earth-friendly practices that protect your landscape through winter.

Posted by Eastern Land Management on

Greg Gross, branch manager at Eastern Land Management’s “Green Hub” in Monroe, Connecticut, says that sustainable practices during peak growing months is the best way to prepare and protect your landscape for winter. That’s why he’s hosting the firm’s fourth annual Snow Rodeo, a two-day, all-hands winter management training and preparedness program, held this year on October 26-27.

“Winter weather is becoming harder to predict,” Greg says, “so prep, preparedness and contingency planning is more important than ever. The additional stress winter brings to plants and trees, and the operational stress it brings to property and facility managers—cost control, risk management, rising expectations, and liabilities linked to the environment and pedestrian safety—require us to continually improve our game.”

ELM has a long-standing commitment to cut down on chlorides and the firm’s organic-based liquid ice melt products, and its own brine-making facility in Monroe, significantly decreases the amount of traditional salting methods that harm and pollute waterways.

ELM’s snow rodeo addresses these challenges and more, including best practices in storm response, resource allocation, materials and equipment safety, new plow technologies, shoveling techniques, and ways to make sure that plants, landscapes, and people are protected from the hazards of winter.

    • Pre-winter landscape protection with mulching, pruning, fall clean-up, winterized irrigation systems
    • Full property inspection and pre-winter game planning
    • Proactive planning with client to keep commercial properties, college campuses and schools, HOAs, hospitals and senior living facilities safe and accessible, operational, and open
    • Strategies for constant communication, predicted weather events, impending storms, and regular updates
    • Consistent equipment and training on repeat
    • Proprietary weather forecasting, online weather resources, and data models
    • High-performance equipment and advanced technologies
    • Proprietary brine solutions that use less salt per square foot and protect waterways, landscapes and the environment
    • Earth-friendly snow and ice melt solutions
    • Organic, non-chloride applications that reduce corrosion and cost of spring clean- up and repair on architectural building details and hardscape
    • Seasonal snow and ice contract options so you always know how much to budget for winter
    • Hazard mitigation, risk management, pedestrian and vehicle safety, sidewalks and parking lot management that address liability concerns
    • Year-round weather readiness, alerts and warnings
    • Year-round plant health care and sustainable approaches
    • Year-round commitment to do what it takes to keep safety first, no matter the weather, the season or the unexpected

Severe weather is a fact of life in the Northeast. Snow and ice storms, blizzards, freezing temps, and reduced visibility are powerful and damaging. Spring may be the best time to think about what your landscaping and environmental strategies will look like in summer, but failure to prepare can be costly.

To learn more about ELM’s sustainable snow and ice services, winter management and winter safety program, contact ELM President and Advanced Snow Management Professional, Bruce Moore Jr. at (203) 316-5433.

ELM is an active member of the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) and certified as Advanced Snow Management Professionals.

Photo: ELM Monroe Connecticut facility and “Green Hub”, host of ELM’s annual Snow Rodeo and winter safety training event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan Skiba, ELM Intern, Seeds His Climb to The Top

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A recent UConn grad with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration is this summer’s intern.

“An intern with a path to the future,” says Bruce Moore Jr. who’s pegged Jordan as someone who adds the kind of high-energy talent that easily translates to a long-game role.

Jordan brings a lot of plusses to ELM: he’s Stamford born and raised. He worked in the hospitality industry through college, has had a passion for landscaping since forever, and likes being hands-on. Plus, he’s smart, a nice guy, and loves sports and family.

Jordan currently has his hands full with research projects, learning the lay of the land, and getting to know people and projects.

Jordan says, everyone has been so welcoming and helpful, he can hardly wait to grow his career while doing whatever it takes to support ELM’s success.

Welcome, Jordan. Go Huskies.

 

 

Marc Angarano Returns to ELM to Lead North Region Sales

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Commercial landscaping sales executive Marc Angarano has returned to ELM to lead the growth of ELM’s regional operation in Monroe, Connecticut. He joins an ELM business development team that also includes Stamford, Connecticut south region sales lead, Ted Marron.

“We’re in a period of great opportunity to create solutions that create value, offer a better use of technology, and ways to drive green performance. With our upcoming 50th anniversary in 2026, Marc will play a critical role in shaping what that looks like,” said company president, Bruce Moore Jr.

Before joining ELM, Marc served as a business development executive with BrightView, and held account and operations management positions with The Brickman Group.

“Marc’s passion for sustainability and his insight on competitive advantage will help us align our mission and operations to directly support our clients’ objectives,” added Bruce.

Please join us in welcoming Marc back to ELM.

Contact Marc at mangarano@easternland.com

Ted Marron Joins ELM as Business Developer

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Eastern Land Management, a full-service commercial landscape company based in Stamford, Connecticut and serving Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, is pleased to welcome Ted Marron to the position of Business Developer.

With over 17 years of B2B and B2C sales experience, Ted joins a seasoned ELM management team to offer an unprecendented value proposition and landscape services options.

In his new role, Ted will be managing and strengthening existing client relationships and partnerships in the commercial real estate sector, and work to identify and build client relationships while providing knowledgeable sales support.

“We are excited to have Ted on our team,” said company president, Bruce Moore, Jr. “He brings with him a competitive spirit and accolades earned as a result of his experience, and the strong relationships he’s built in our community. We are looking forward to Ted being part of our future growth.”

Born in Stamford and raised in Trumbull, Ted is active in community philanthropic organizations and believes that giving back is the best way forward.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Connecticut State University and says working in the landscape industry gives him an opportunity to offer something tangible, gratifying and beautiful.