PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA — The City of Long Beach is seeking community input to develop an Urban Forest Plan (UFP), a roadmap to grow, maintain and protect the trees and green spaces that make Long Beach more livable, sustainable and resilient. The UFP will guide how Long Beach’s tree canopy is planned for and managed in public parks, along streets and throughout neighborhoods for years to come.

Trees in Long Beach play a critical role in addressing key environmental and public health challenges. They help cool neighborhoods during extreme heat, improve air and water quality, support biodiversity and enhance walkability and public safety. Trees also contribute to community identity and physical and mental health. However, not all communities have equal access to the benefits of a healthy tree canopy—particularly communities disproportionately affected by disinvestment and climate risk.

The survey will gather feedback on residents’ experiences with trees, their priorities for future investments and their ideas for improving access to green spaces citywide. Feedback garnered will help 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.

The survey is open now through Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, and is available online in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Those without internet access can complete the survey using public computers at any open Long Beach Public Library location. Print surveys will also be made available through outreach methods. Additionally, residents can request to have a print survey mailed to them by contacting City Fabrick at Hannah@CityFabrick.org or 562.901.2128.

The UFP planning process, facilitated in partnership with the local nonprofit City Fabrick and the environmental planning firm Dudek, includes a robust, multilingual public engagement campaign, including pop-up events, listening sessions, open houses and an online storytelling campaign. Community feedback will be central to identifying priorities and strategies that reflect the lived experiences and values of Long Beach residents. 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.

The UFP is expected to be completed in mid-2026 and will serve as a vital tool in achieving the City’s environmental, public health and equity goals. For more information and ongoing updates, please visit lbcity.info/forest.

Media inquiries may be directed to Hannah Vasilis, Urban Forest Coordinator, Office of Climate Action and Sustainability, at Hannah.Vasilis@longbeach.gov or 562.570.5982.