Congressman Robert Garcia Statement On $3 Million in Urban Forestry Grants Being Awarded to the City of Long Beach, City of Bellflower, and City of Signal Hill, Thanking President Biden’s Leadership

Long Beach, California  – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) announced that the City of Long Beach, the City of Bellflower, and the City of Signal Hill will each receive $1 million dollars in urban forestry grants. Through the Urban and Community Forestry Program, the funds will be used to plant and maintain trees, mitigate the effects of extreme heat and climate change, and enhance public access to nature. This funding was made available under the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden.

 “We are thrilled that our community will get vital funding for planting and caring for trees while also taking on climate change,” said Congressman Garcia. “This investment will improve our urban environment and air quality, providing more green spaces and shady spots for our families to enjoy. Thank you to President Biden for your leadership and for making this funding possible under the Inflation Reduction Act.” 

 The City of Long Beach will use funding to implement a community-based approach to urban forestry and rainwater harvesting. The project will increase equitable urban tree canopy, broaden community engagement, and strengthen Long Beach's resilience to climate change. In partnership with the community, the city will plant trees while utilizing rainwater harvesting to improve air quality and stormwater management, mitigate extreme heat, and spur the growth of green jobs.

 The City of Bellflower will use funding to launch a new urban forest management plan to promote equitable, sustainable, and reliable means of managing the city's trees. The city will plant and maintain 250 new trees in partnership with community organizations.

 The City of Signal Hill will implement a plan to plant 1,000 new trees. This project seeks to benefit disadvantaged communities within Signal Hill by increasing the urban forest coverage, increasing shade equity, reducing urban heat island effects, promoting increased overall air quality, aesthetics, and walkability of these neighborhoods.

 Under his leadership as Mayor, Long Beach piloted programs like tuition-free community college and a universal basic income pilot. He also passed measures to support community safety and rebuild our infrastructure, legalized and taxed cannabis while promoting social equity, and promoted open, honest and transparent governance by strengthening the city auditor, setting term limits, and creating ethics and redistricting commissions. His signature ballot initiative, Measure A, launched the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, promoting good-paying union jobs.

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