A handful of community-serving projects that focus on native plants and sustainable transportation in West Long Beach have been announced as grant awardees for Love Your Block.
This initiative, funded by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, provides grants of up to $2,500 for projects that improve air quality, provide proficient transportation and help residents. This is the second round of the program and has resulted in three new projects for the 90810 zip code.
“The Love Your Block program equips residents with the tools to enhance their own neighborhoods,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “When we listen to and support ideas that come from the community, we create solutions that truly fit the needs of West Long Beach and help build strong, lasting connections among neighbors.”
The three selected winners will also receive help from the City of Long Beach to implement their projects by September 2026.
The awarded projects include:
- Native Shadeways: A greening initiative that will have residents plant native trees and shrubs along pedestrian pathways and transit stops to provide shade, improve walkability, reduce heat exposure and encourage the use of public transportation.
- Moving at the Speed of Community: An art initiative that combines public art, walking, biking and transit through community-designed reflective artwork, encouraging active transportation while strengthening neighborhood connections and promoting cleaner air.
- Native Seeds: A youth-focused environmental education initiative where local youth and residents can distribute native wildflower seed kits to local elementary school students, empowering families to support pollinators, expand neighborhood greenery, and promote long-term environmental protection.
The first round of mini-grant awardees was awarded in December 2025, with most of the projects completed in May of this year.
In its first round, the program awarded five grantees a total of $12,500 in funding, launched four community projects and engaged over 100 volunteers across all projects. These projects led to the planting of 50 trees, collection of 27 vapes from high school students, removal of more than 31,000 pounds of trash and the creation of a new educational garden space.
“Love Your Block mini-grants empower West Long Beach residents to shape their community, inspire positive change, and foster neighborhood pride. This initiative unites us, advances environmental justice, and supports our vision for a healthier, more vibrant community,” said Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga in a public statement.
Learn more about the Love Your Block program here.
