As spring planting season gets underway, the Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to rethink traditional landscaping practices and embrace water-smart alternatives that support both environmental health and long-term water sustainability.

There are many benefits when it comes to reducing areas of lawn that serve little practical purpose (often referred to as ornamental or nonfunctional turf) which can require significant watering without providing environmental value. Homeowners can consider converting  small sections of these areas into native planting beds or drought-tolerant plants. Residents are also encouraged to explore green infrastructure practices such as rain gardens, bioswales, and rain barrels to help manage stormwater and conserve water at home. Several locations across Rockland County already incorporate these approaches. Rain gardens featuring native plants can be found at sites including Orangeburg Library, Bowline Point Park, Kennedy Dells County Park, and Piermont Library. These installations help filter pollutants, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve groundwater recharge while demonstrating how native plantings can function in everyday community spaces.

Outdoor water use increases significantly during warmer months due to higher temperatures, seasonal planting and growing needs. In Rockland, water demand rises from an approximate annual daily average of 30 million gallons of water per day to up to an estimated 45 million gallons of water per day, placing added strain on local water supplies. By making thoughtful landscaping choices early in the season, residents can help reduce water use while improving resiliency to climate change.

Using native plants such as Creeping Phlox, Foamflower 'Elizabeth Oliver', and Jacob’s Ladder, which are adapted to local soil and climate conditions, reduces the amount of supplemental watering needed once those plants are established. Choosing plants that match a yard’s sunlight, soil, and moisture conditions can make landscaping easier and further reduce the need for watering. Small changes like adding a few native plants to an existing garden can be an easy and impactful way for homeowners to help conserve water. 

“Spring is the perfect time to think about how our landscapes can work with nature instead of against it,” said District 10 Legislator and Task Force Chair Beth Davidson. “By replacing sections of lawn areas with native plants and incorporating features that manage rainwater naturally, residents can play a direct role in protecting Rockland County’s water resources.”

Green infrastructure practices such as permeable pavement and pavers can help manage rainwater by allowing it to infiltrate into the ground, reducing flooding in parking lots and roadways. Rain gardens and bioswales (shallow, linear channels or trenches designed to manage stormwater runoff) allow stormwater to soak into the ground, while rain barrels can capture runoff for later use. Rockland County receives an average of 45 inches of rain per year which can be collected and used for a variety of things like bird baths, gardens or even washing the car. To learn more about how you can help conserve water outdoors, head to https://www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoors.