Long Beach Sustainability Summer Newsletter, July 2019
LB Sustainability Quarterly Newsletter
Dear Friend,

Each quarter we create a newsletter with updates on sustainable programs, projects, and events from our office and others in the City of Long Beach. Below is the digital version of the newsletter, you can also download the print version here:
Long Beach Certified 31 local businesses and organizations through the Green Businesses Program in the past year since the program re-launched under the California Green Business Network. On May 7th it celebrated these businesses’ achievements with a presentation at City Council and a celebration at The Harbor downtown.

“There are many simple actions businesses can take that make a big impact,” Sustainability Coordinator Larry Rich said. “Thank you to all of the businesses that have made protecting the environment a part of their mission.”

Save the date for Ranchos Walk 2019 on September 28! The Inaugural Ranchos Walk last year brought 400 residents and visitors together to experience Long Beach on foot. We’re excited to bring this event back for another year. 

Beginning at 8 a.m., participants will walk a trail that links Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. This 9.4-mile scenic walk also connects the California State University, Long Beach campus, Reservoir Hill, Hilltop Park in Signal Hill, Longview Point at Willow Springs Park, and Rancho Los Cerritos. The Ranchos Walk will end at Rancho Los Cerritos with a Festival celebrating 175 years since the Rancho’s construction.

In addition to the full 9.4-mile urban hike, participants will have the choice of 6-mile and 3.5-mile route options. The route will be updated in the izi.TRAVEL app to provide route guidance and information about points of interest along the route. 

Registration will be available in August at www.longbeach.gov/ranchoswalk.

The Ranchos Walk seeks to create an active and fun way for hikers to discover neighborhoods, historic landmarks, and vista points, while also highlighting pedestrian safety and awareness. We hope you can join us for Ranchos Walk 2019!
The City of Long Beach is developing the City’s first ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to ensure the community and physical assets are better protected from the impacts of climate change. 

On Saturday, June 1, at Marine Stadium, the City hosted LB ClimateFest , a public open-house event for the City’s CAAP. At the event, City staff unveiled a draft CAAP and offered family-friendly activities for the community to provide input on the plan. 

Native Plant Workshops are on hold for July and August. Join us again in September on the 2nd Saturday to learn about native plants and volunteer in the restoration area. Upcoming class topics are online.
Join us at an Edible Garden Workshop! Visit our website for a list of upcoming workshops.
Contact us to have the dates sent to your inbox each month
As part of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), Long Beach certifies and recognizes green businesses for their efforts to protect the environment. Below are the businesses that were certified in 2018. 

Find more green businesses and get your business certified at www.longbeach.gov/greenbusiness.
Meet our Staff
Meet the newest member of the LB Sustainability team:

Britny Coker-Moen joins the Sustainability team as the Green Business Assistant. Britny recently graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations and a minor in Environmental Science and Policy. She has previously worked on sustainability initiatives with Cal State Long Beach's Student Sustainability Coalition and the Long Beach Environmental Alliance. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, drawing, painting and always learning new things about the natural world. One of Britny's goals is to increase awareness about sustainability and the importance of preserving and protecting our environment for the enjoyment of our communities today and well into the future. 
Commissioner Spotlight
Meet the new Chair and Vice Chair of the Sustainable City Commission for 2019-2020.
Chair Sona Coffee is passionate about transforming local governments to create environmentally sustainable communities. Prior to joining the City of Irvine as the Environmental Programs Administrator in 2017, she held a similar role in Manhattan Beach for eight years. Sona is a proud USC alum with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Price School of Public Policy, with an emphasis in environmental policy. She is also a member of the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership, focusing on career development of women in the energy and environmental fields. She and her husband live near Cal State Long Beach where they enjoy riding their bikes around the neighborhood, and tending to their drought tolerant and urban gardens.
Vice Chair Morgan Wheeler is a proud dad, husband and son, whose family migrated to the area over 150 years ago. He is a keeper of bees, chickens and ducks, and is a dedicated supporter of food security and sustainable agriculture. He heads up the Business Intelligence Department at Farmers & Merchants Bank and volunteers with Rancho Los Alamitos, The LB Nature Center, the Los Cerritos Wetlands, The National Park Service and with various CA Channel Island Restoration efforts. Morgan grew up in the Los Altos YMCA on Bellflower Blvd, received his MBA from Cal State Long Beach and is currently training to join the local CERT and Search & Rescue Teams. Morgan’s FCC Amateur Radio call sign is W9LBC, after his hometown. Go Long Beach!
Come to the next Sustainable City Commission meeting: 
Thursday July 25th at 4pm in City Council Chambers.
Join us at the next Longview Litter Patrol
The first Friday of each month the Office of Sustainability teams up with volunteers to take care of Longview Point at Willow Springs Park. Join us for the next event:
February 1st 3-4pm at 2755 Orange Avenue.
 
Find more sustainable events in Long Beach on our
LB Sustainability | 562-570-6396 | [email protected] | www.LBSustainability.com