Fall Newsletter, September 2024

Sustainability Quarterly Newsletter

Dear Anabell,

Each quarter we create a newsletter to update the community on sustainable programs, projects, and events in the City of Long Beach. We invite you to participate and engage in these opportunities to advance environmental stewardship, support local sustainability practices, and create a more livable and resilient Long Beach!

Ranchos Walk 2024

Register now for Ranchos Walk 2024! Every year, we invite the community to hike the crest trail that links Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. Participants choose between the 9-, 6-, or 3-mile hike options and have access to a guided audio tour that highlights facts about the area’s history. This year’s theme, “Step Into the Stream of History,” aims to educate residents about Long Beach’s local water resources across time. Participation in this event is FREE and includes a complimentary meal at the post-walk celebration hosted by Rancho Los Cerritos.

Willow Springs Park Dedication

On August 13, 2024, the City Council voted to dedicate a significant portion of Willow Springs Park as park space in perpetuity. The Willow Springs Wetlands Restoration Project began in October 2017 and has supported the restoration of 11 acres of the 48-acre site. Our Office is proud to steward this space alongside the community. The dedication of Willow Springs helps ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the fruits of our collective efforts to restore, preserve, and expand this native habitat.

Community Solar

Long Beach residents can now sign up for community solar! This program aims to provide the benefits of renewable energy without the need to install solar panels on individual properties, making it a great option for renters and homeowners.

☑️ Save Money

☑️ No Solar Installation

☑️ Invest in Clean Energy

How does it work? Community solar is supported by the State’s Community Renewables Program carried out by Southern California Edison (SCE). Solar energy is generated on farms and sent to the electricity grid to be purchased by utility providers. You subscribe to a share of this electricity and receive a credit directly applied to your SCE utility bill. You pay only 90% of the value of the bill credits, resulting in savings of up to 10%. Sign up today and help Long Beach reach our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals!

Learn More

ClimateLB Grant Award Announcement

Congratulations to Associated Mothers in Action, California Youth Empowerment Services, Earthlodge Center for Transformation, H.E.L.P. of Long Beach, Long Beach Bar Foundation, Polytechnic High School, the Jewel Box Children’s Theater, and Youth Leadership Institute for their successful project proposals!

Each of these organizations will receive $5,000 to support the implementation of youth-led climate solutions primarily focused in West Long Beach, including:

🌳 Reforestation/Tree Planting Projects

🏫 Climate Education Efforts

🌅 Climate Ambassador Programs

🎨 Public Art & Awareness Campaigns

Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget

The City of Long Beach has unveiled its Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 25) Budget. The $3.6 billion Proposed FY 25 Budget includes the City Manager’s proposed budget, the Mayor's Recommendations to the City Council, and the Proposed FY 25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The new investments made in the Proposed FY 25 Budget take into consideration priorities from the Long Beach City Council and key areas identified in the Long Beach Strategic Vision 2030 as well as community feedback from residents received during the budget development process earlier this year. Learn more about the proposed budget through the Community Budget Book, available in English, Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog.

Learn More

Extreme Heat

It's important to stay safe and healthy during extreme heat events. Follow these tips and find cooling centers near you to keep cool and prevent heat-related illnesses.

🏠 Inside: Use fans, stay hydrated, and

take cool showers.

🚶‍♀️ Outside: Wear light clothing, use

sunscreen, and find shade.

🤝 Look out for each other: Check on

neighbors, especially those at high risk.

Learn More

Upcoming Workshops & Events

Restoration Friday, Sept. 13

Stop by Longview Point in Willow Springs Park from 3-4 PM to help steward the land by watering and tending to native plants, pulling invasive species, picking up litter, mulching, and maintaining trails. Please note that this event will be cancelled in the event of extreme heat, stay tuned by subscribing to alerts through our calendar.

Learn More

Ranchos Walk, Sept. 14

Hike the crest trail that links Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos! Choose between the 9-, 6-, or 3-mile hike options and enjoy a guided audio tour highlighting local history and water facts in English or Spanish. Then, join in the post-walk celebration at Rancho Los Cerritos featuring food, music, and fun for the whole family!

Event Registration

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Kickoff Event, Sept. 14

Come and enjoy fun for the whole family! Music and free games, contests, prizes, and snacks!

Learn More

California Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 21

Take an active role in keeping our coastline clean and healthy. 2024 California Coastal Clean Up Day events will take place from 9 a.m. - noon at these locations:

Junipero Beach
Belmont Pier
Peninsula
Mother's Beach
Seal Beach Yacht Club

Learn More

Tree Planting Program Update

▶️ Watch the Recap

We are proud to announce that our Office planted 744 trees throughout the 2023-24 planting season! Did you know that any Long Beach resident with qualifying parkway space is eligible to receive a free street tree? Learn more and sign up to be first in line for this fall’s planting season! Or, if you’re interested in organizing a community tree planting, reach out to our team via e-mail: TreeRequest@longbeach.gov.

Apply for a Free Street Tree

Certified Green Business Program

The City of Long Beach partners with the California Green Business Network (CAGBN) to recognize and certify businesses such as Rockwell Process Consulting (pictured here) that meet CAGBN's sustainable standards.

To learn more about CAGBN standards and requirements, visit the

Long Beach Green Business website.

Find Local Long Beach Green Businesses