Behind The Scenes: Keeping Your Site Safe.

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A safe and incident-free winter experience relies on trained crews who work hard shifts and long nights. While property managers and tenants are sleeping, teams of accomplished snow and ice professionals are inspecting and clearing grounds, parking lots, curb areas, and walkways to make sure outside areas are hazard free and pedestrian-safe.

Winter jobs can be among the most tough. “During our recent ‘snowpocalyse’, ELM plow crews in powerful equipment worked two 16-hour shifts, from 4 in the morning to 10 at night to reduce client risk,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., operations vice president. “Ongoing training makes all the difference in the ability to deliver.”

To keep performance expectations high, ELM invests in SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association)-accredited training programs for advanced snow management professionals.

“ELM is all about putting our reputation on the line for quality and safety, and every member of our team is working together towards a common goal,” said Bruce. “Currently we have three Advanced Snow Managers, a specialized fleet of more than 100 snow removal machines and equipment, weather forecasting technology, and at least 200 trained people who take pride in keeping more than 1 million square feet of commercial properties clear and accessible.  That’s the most impressive thing to me,” he added.

To learn more ELM’s winter services and emergency response strategies, go to: https://www.easternland.com/our-services/snow-services/

Or contact Bruce Moore @ 203.316.5433.

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Jeffrey Wilson Promoted to Area Manager

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Eastern Land Management is pleased to announce Jeff Wilson’s promotion to Area Manager, effective January 2018.

Since starting with ELM in November 2016 as Field Manager, Jeff has consistently been recognized for his outstanding performance. His thoughtful approach to finding solutions to unusual challenges make him a valuable addition to ELM’s client services team.

Jeff’s primary focus will be to serve the hospitality, corporate campus and residential community sectors to ensure that ELM’s landscape teams provide increasing value and asset appreciation.

A Greenwich, Connecticut native, Jeff is committed to empowering the ELM brand he represents and increasing its success. Jeff prides himself in his ability to represent best in class quality, fostering great relationships, and staying ahead of trends.

Please join us in congratulating Jeff on his well-deserved promotion

 

George Brown III Named Business Developer

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Eastern Land Management is pleased to announce the appointment of George Brown III to the role of Business Developer.  George will work closely with the company’s Chief Executive and Vice President Operations, and will be responsible for identifying and leading strategic growth initiatives and driving revenue for all ELM’s commercial landscape and snow services.

Prior to this promotion, George served as ELM’s area manager.  George brings 20 years of business experience and landscape industry knowledge to his new role and is taking on this responsibility at a time when ELM is focused on organic growth and building and attracting the best team in the industry.

Commenting on the promotion, ELM’s Vice President Operations, Bruce Moore, Jr., said, “George is a top performer and strategic thinker who understands the market in which we operate and our aspirations as a business. We look forward to him leading opportunities to partner more closely with clients and pursue positive leads that come our way.”

George attended the University at Buffalo and the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill where he received a B.S. in Landscape Contracting.

Eastern Land Management is located in Stamford, Connecticut and has been providing commercial landscape services to property and facility managers since 1976.  easternland.com

Why Prune in Winter?

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One of the easiest and most effective ways to promote your property’s value is to put your deciduous shrubs and small trees on a seasonal care program that includes structural pruning in winter.

Structural pruning, or pruning designed to ensure a sound structure and aesthetic form, is done during a plant’s dormancy for a number of reasons.  It gets young shrubs and trees off to a good start, removes dead or stressed wood, encourages healthy flowering and foliage in the spring, and improves their ability to survive storms.

Pruning in early winter will protect your trees and shrubs from the toll that heavy ice and snow can take when the weight of snow on branches can break limbs and cause damage to your landscape or liability and safety concerns.

ELM believes that proper pruning is an essential part of an overall commitment to the health of your landscape, a best practice that includes a regular program of soil nutrition, root zone conditioning, smart watering, insect and disease prevention, and plant health care.

Depending on which species of small trees and shrubs on your property, ELM’s pruning team will be identifying which plants on your property will make the cut and why.

If there are holly trees and shrubs on your site, you’re in luck. Cutting hollies back in December means the plant gets a new shape and the clipped branches make jolly holiday decorations.  Just ask. We’ll save some trimmings for you.

ELM’s dormant pruning principles:

  1. Supports disease management
  2. Creates a healthy canopy for spring
  3. Delivers more aesthetic results
  4. Improves spring growth, flowering and foliage
  5. Improves ability to withstand weather events and storms
  6. Proactively supports safety and liability by removing weak branches

For questions on landscape health in winter, or to schedule dormant pruning, please contact Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president, operations at 203-316-5433.

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Welcome Patrick McClellan, New ELM Area Manager

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Eastern Land Management, an award-winning, full-service commercial landscape company located in Stamford, Connecticut, is pleased to welcome Patrick (Pat) McClellan to ELM as a new Area Manager.

In his new role, Pat will work closely with commercial real estate managers to develop landscape health and safety plans, coordinate field operations, and manage scope and budget for properties he serves.

“We are fortunate to add someone of Pat’s passion to the ELM team; his expertise will be a real asset to us and to our customers,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president, operations.

A native of Long Island, Pat attended State University of New York, Farmingdale, where he pursued a teaching credential before switching to SUNY’s landscape and ornamental horticulture program.  He holds a OSHA 30 license, and is a CT/NY-licensed pesticide operator.

“The best advice I could give any property manager would be to measure the value of sustainability,” notes Pat. “The ideal landscape is one that allows the beauty of the natural and built environment but strategically minimizes the disruption of its resources.  Some people feel going green costs more money, but conservation is an investment that reaps savings – and improves property asset value – over time.”

Well said, Patrick. Welcome to our team.

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How Weather Data is Transforming Landscape and Snow Service Decisions

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Bad weather can be bad for business. For property managers, winter storms in particular can significantly impact operations and affect revenue.

To help productivity and improve safety, ELM has invested in emerging weather research to provide you with weather planning as a strategic piece of your overall landscape budget.

“Being able to collect and apply information locally has opened up opportunities for us to improve communications and service timelines as we apply what we learn to be proactive about potential impacts,” said Bruce Moore Sr., who leads the ELM’s hazard and risk planning initiative.  “We know we can’t manage the weather but we can manage the financial implications of what weather can do if we’re not prepared for it,” he added.

Being responsible for the safety of commercial landscape and outdoor environments is mission-critical for ELM’s front line team who ensure that your business is taken care of while your workforce, tenants or campus remains safe.

“ELM’s hazard planning minimizes the disruption of our customer’s business, reduces insurance claims made by injured employees and customers, lowers exposure and increases the safety of everyone,” noted Bruce.

Technology has improved accuracy in predicting extreme weather and is providing exponentially more benefits to property managers looking to address emergency preparedness and site safety. Whether it’s the next generation of radar, new mobile applications, remote weather sensors that manage water conservation, or using forecasts to save money, more accurate predictions makes running a commercial landscape asset easier all year long.
ELM is committed to creating safer communities by protecting life and property, and managing risk.  To learn more about ELM’s weather service, contact Bruce Moore, Sr., Founder & CEO at 203-316-5433.

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Photo: The Connecticut River photographed from Conard weather balloon, a student-driven project of the Frederick U. Conard School’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program. ELM applauds students throughout Connecticut for the work they are doing in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

 

Jessica Braz Named ELM Controller

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Eastern Land Management is pleased to announce that Jessica Braz has been promoted to Controller.

“Jessica joined ELM in 2009 as an accountant and moved through the ranks, earning our respect as one of our best problem solvers,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president of operations.  “Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated fiduciary leadership and we’re proud to include her on our management team.”

In her new role, she will be responsible for the preparation of company financial statements and supervision of accounts payable specialists and accounting staff.

A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Jessica moved to New England to attend the University of Connecticut, where she graduated with a B.S. degree in Corporate and Organizational Studies. When not “crunching numbers”, she says the most important other thing she does is to be a mom to her two girls and, with her husband, invest in their future.

“We enable and empower our employees, like Jessica and others with young families, to manage the demands of the job with the responsibilities of home and community. In this, we hope to continue building an organizational culture that makes work-life balance possible for everyone and makes ELM a great place to work,” added Bruce.

Eastern Land Management provides commercial landscape services throughout Southern Connecticut and the New York metropolitan area.

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203.316.5433

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We Don’t Wait for Weather to Happen: How ELM’s Emergency Response Platform Protects Your Property All Year Long

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Each September, in conjunction with FEMA’s National Preparedness Month, ELM reviews its response and safety training initiative to strengthen its capabilities and reputation as the go-to emergency landscape and grounds response team throughout southern Connecticut.

ELM’s 5-point emergency response platform

  • To ensure that the security and safety of our customers’ grounds and landscapes remain a top priority and concern.
  • To devote and invest considerable resources to meet and exceed property and facility managers’ risk assessment needs.
  • To apply and provide incident/weather event/emergency response, preparedness planning, protocols, and best practices across all segments of our market.
  • To train and certify our response crew and storm team to deliver disciplined teamwork, accountability, and exemplary safety, security, and incident prevention behaviors.
  • To provide our response crew and storm team with the best tools and options they need to execute response efforts at the highest level.

Storm Team Strength

ELM is an active member of professional snow management associations, SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association) and ASCA (Accredited Snow Contractors of America). ELM trains with these organizations throughout the year to focus on critical elements in executing first class storm response.  ELM invests in certification programs to ensure that each of ELM’s response crew leaders are Certified Snow Professionals and Advanced Snow Management experts and have the capability and capacity to lead in a weather crisis.

Data You Can Trust

ELM uses real time forecasting resources, tools, and hyper-local weather data alerts for comprehensive information to prepare for the unexpected in each of the communities ELM serves.  This allows our response crew and storm team to mobilize up to 48 hours in advance of advisories, warnings, and threats to property safety and by sharing this data with our customers, allows us to collaborate as a team to proactively address and triage priority response efforts.

ELM is prepared to organize and dispatch its crews at a moment’s notice

To learn more about ELM’s emergency command center, storm response program, large scale snow removal, and proactive weather event management services, contact Bruce Moore, Jr., vice president, operations at 203-316-5433.  Or go to: https://www.easternland.com/our-services/snow-services/

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Richard Bevilacqua Promoted to Director of Organizational Development

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Richard “Ricky” Bevilacqua has been named ELM’s Director of Organizational Development.

In this newly created position, he will be responsible for overseeing ELM’s administrative function, creating and implementing ELM’s next generation operating practices, and driving strategies to digitally reimagine the way ELM does business.

“Employees want to work for digital leaders and customers seek businesses that have taken their game to a higher level,” said Bruce Moore, Jr., Vice President, Operations. “As ELM matures, we’re transforming our business for competitive advantage and leading this commitment from the top,” he added.

Ricky joined ELM in 2013, and has a dozen years in the green industry working in a variety of roles. He is a Certified Landscape Professional and an Advanced Snow Manager. “Ricky’s career trajectory, from local garden center to having a seat at the table, shows what can happen when people energize their careers through continuous learning,” noted Bruce.

Ricky’s one piece of advice to share with customers is to appreciate the complexities of the landscape as a dynamic thing. “Plants live, they breathe, they grow, they get sick and they die. As landscape professionals, it’s our job to make sure only the first three happen,” he says with typical good humor.

Originally from Westchester, New York, Ricky has become an avid fan of weekend life in Connecticut. His spare time finds him developing techniques and recipes to smoke meat while simultaneously, and often unsuccessfully, keeping his enthusiastic Golden Retriever, Charlie, from trying to help.

Please join us in congratulating Ricky on his well-deserved promotion.

Improve Turf Quality with Aeration and Overseeding

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Turfgrass, with its extensive below ground root system and its above-ground network of plant material, offers under-appreciated environmental benefits, such as removing dust and pollutants, reducing soil erosion, and filtering water.

When turf and commercial lawns are new, maintenance is basic: mowing, fertilizing, and irrigation, with little need for weed control or other management practices. However, as turf areas age, growth patterns change and roots from maturing trees encroach on lawn areas, competing for available water and nutrients.  Heavily-used areas become compacted, leading to thin turf and exposed soil.

To counteract the effects that compaction, insufficient water, heat, and age have on the health of turf and commercial lawns, ELM recommends core aeration, a process performed in early fall, followed by overseeding – broadcasting new grass seed throughout the turf with a spreader – and fertilization. This 3-step protocol will improve soil, bring in air, water and micro-nutrients, allow turf seed to germinate during cooler weather, and boost root growth for healthier landscapes overall.

Step One:  Aeration.

ELM uses specialized equipment to add air and space in your lawn.  The aerator pulls out plugs of soil (cores) from the turf, approximately ¾ inches in diameter and up to 4 inches deep, about 2-3 inches apart across the turf area treated.

Aerating, double aerating – even triple aerating – in different directions opens up clumps of grass, which creates an explosion in growth at the crown and introduces oxygen, water, and fertilizer straight into the root zone via a core aeration. The plugs will breakdown naturally and the holes will start to fill in with new roots, indicating that soil and root health is already improving.

Step Two: Overseeding.

ELM uses region-friendly, cool season grass blends that contain tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass and other fine and chewing fescues, depending on soil and light conditions.

Advancements in turf science allow us to provide our customers with good options. Tall fescue is by far the most durable grass type on the market especially with the different cultivars they have created over the years. It is a deep rooting turf grass with very good insect resistance and drought tolerance. Some of the newer cultivars that we are experimenting with contain endophytes in their roots which actually help with relieve grub damage. An annual overseeding with ELMs premium grass seed blend custom spec’d and ordered will allow roots to establish before next summer.

Step Three: Top Dressing.

ELM uses a wide array of soil amendments, fertilizers, and soil conditioners, to soil improve turf health and growth. The right mix will improve soil structure, balance soil pH, supply nutrients, and reinvigorate root health. ELM’s compost and organic matter used as a top dressing will also increase beneficial microbial activity. Gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral, and a source of calcium and sulfur, is often added when soil stability and improved filtration is needed, and is excellent for root growth and a healthier soil profile. Synthetic fertilizers kill off the soil flora and can create more problems down the road.

Scheduling:

ELM recommends aerating turf once a year, in the fall, although depending on soil health and use patterns, turf may need more or less frequent aeration. The service is typically performed early morning before commercial properties begin their business day in order to minimize any disruption.

For information on repairing turf areas suffering from summer stress or how this program can provide value to your property, contact your Area Manager or ELM’s Turf Care Specialist, Charles Andrianus at 203-316-5433.

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Photo:  Mill River Park, a 12-acre urban park located in Stamford, CN and a habitat restoration project of the Mill River Collaborative, was awarded a 2015 Design Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects for OLIN Studios. ELM considers it an honor and a privilege to care for this urban sanctuary and all of its riparian plantings. The park’s heavily used lawn is annually aerated and overseeded by ELM to keep the turf healthy and hearty for the public to enjoy all year long