In a demonstrable commitment to air quality and community resilience, the City of Long Beach teamed up with the Port of Long Beach and the Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) to plant 21 trees at John Muir TK-8 Academy, coinciding with the Eighth Annual California Clean Air Day. The event underscored the ongoing Westside Promise Initiative, aiming to tackle environmental and social challenges through partnership-leveraged community investment over a 10-year period.
Mayor Rex Richardson highlighted the earnest engagement with the community, emphasizing the planting of 100 new trees in West Long Beach during the 2025-26 planting season as part of a larger climate equity plan, with the Mayor declaring, "By engaging with our community, especially our young residents, we’re not only investing in clean air and cooler streets—we’re building stronger, more resilient communities," according to a City of Long Beach press release. The event marked the beginning of the city's tree planting season, and the Academy saw the addition of 15 Chinese Elm and six Crape Myrtle trees, which will enhance the school's environs, providing shade and thermal comfort.
The tree planting initiative is substantially funded by various grants, including those from AB 32 and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and boasts an uptick in yearly plantings, soaring to 1,200 trees last season from an average of just over 150 trees in its infancy. In a statement obtained by the City of Long Beach, Councilmember Roberto Uranga echoed the significance of concerted efforts, stating, “Our Westside Promise continues to show what’s possible when the City brings partners together with a unified vision for change to deliver real, lasting improvements for families in West Long Beach.”
Dr. Jill Baker, Superintendent of Schools for the Long Beach Unified School District, acknowledged the intrinsic link between environmental health and student performance, valorizing the symbiotic benefits of greening efforts for educational facilities and surrounding neighborhoods, “By planting trees and investing in clean air, we’re greening our campuses and neighborhoods and creating spaces where children can thrive, learn and play," Dr. Baker told City of Long Beach. Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach and LBCT voiced their steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, with Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port, and Anthony Otto, CEO of Long Beach Container Terminal, respectively underscoring their organizations' dedication to greening their operations and contributing to the urban canopy.
Looking forward, the City of Long Beach continues to seek community engagement, with an Urban Forest Plan (UFP) survey aiming to gather public input on tree-related experiences and aspirations for green space access. Residents can contribute their perspectives until October 31 by visiting a local library or accessing the survey online. Personal action is also encouraged, with residents invited to request free trees for parkways and participate in community planting efforts, as indicated on the city's website, where one can sign up to volunteer or request a tree.
