Long Beach to Host Urban Forest Plan Kickoff Meeting

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach will host a virtual kickoff meeting for the City's Urban Forest Plan (UFP) on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Community members are invited to participate and learn about the UFP and why it matters, as well as share ideas, priorities and their experiences with Long Beach's trees and help shape a community-driven vision for a more livable and sustainable future.

The meeting, which will be held virtually on Zoom, will be facilitated by the Office of Climate Action & Sustainability in partnership with local nonprofit City Fabrick. Registration is required to attend. Interpretation services in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog will be available upon request; to ensure accommodation, please request in advance when registering for the workshop. Feedback garnered at the event will inform the City's UFP, which will:

• Evaluate the current state of the City's tree canopy and maintenance practices.
• Identify neighborhoods with the highest need for new tree plantings.
• Set community-informed goals for equity, climate resilience and sustainability.
• Recommend best practices for tree care, operations and policy improvements.
• Support long-term investment in the City's tree canopy and the critical and necessary infrastructure that supports a healthy lifecycle.

In August, the City also launched a community survey seeking input to develop the UFP. Community members continue to be encouraged to share their feedback on their experiences with trees, priorities for future investments and ideas for improving access to green spaces citywide by completing the survey now through Friday, Oct. 31,

The UFP supports the implementation of the City's Climate Action Plan and aligns with numerous adopted City plans, including the Land Use Element, Open Space Element, Parks Strategic Plan, and various Specific Plans. It also advances priorities outlined in the Westside Promise, the City's 10-year community investment initiative for West Long Beach, and the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Plan. Additionally, the Plan supports the City's Strategic Vision 2030, particularly in areas focused on sustainability, equity, and quality of life.

For more information and to register for the UFP Kickoff Meeting, please visit lbcity.info/forest.

Media inquiries may be directed to Hannah Vasilis, Urban Forest Coordinator, Office of Climate Action and Sustainability, at [email protected] or 562.570.5982.

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