Port to Help Plant 6,000 Trees in Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach announced Thursday that it will fund the planting of 6,000 trees around the city of Long Beach by 2020 as part of an overall city beautification project known as "I Dig Long Beach."

The project, partially funded with a $671,200 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Grant given to the city's development services department from the port, will begin tree planting efforts Saturday at Silverado Park.

Among other things, the port said it hopes the trees will support the development of an "urban forest," which if done correctly, can help absorb greenhouse gasses while providing a habitat for wildlife and an increase in property value.

In addition to the urban forest program, the port has also helped fund 28 other projects around the city that are also aimed at reducing greenhosue gas emissions.

Other programs include planting 7,000 square feet of turf, trees and native plants in the Willmore City Historic District, partial restoration of the Colorado Lagoon and replacing the Aquarium of the Pacific's boiler system with a more energy efficient model.

The first tree planting ceremony will take place today at 2 p.m. at Silverado Park near 32nd Street and Santa Fe Avenue. On hand will be Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Nick Sramek.