Breaking Barriers and Building Sustainability: A Partnership Restoring History in Long Beach

At SLA, our mission has always been twofold: to enrich communities and empower individuals. Our recent partnership with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach (CCLB) embodies this mission perfectly. Together, we’re working on the restoration of a historic site in Long Beach, combining environmental innovation with workforce development to create lasting impact.

This project is not only about preserving the past but also about paving the way for a sustainable future. From constructing advanced water management systems to providing life-changing opportunities for participants, here’s an in-depth look at how this partnership is breaking barriers and creating meaningful change.

The Environmental Innovation: A Bioswale and Native Landscaping

Central to this restoration project is a commitment to sustainability. One of the standout features of our work is the construction of a state-of-the-art bioswale, a natural filtration system designed to manage rainwater efficiently and sustainably.

💧 What is a Bioswale?
A bioswale is a shallow, vegetated channel that collects and filters stormwater runoff. This system reduces flooding, improves water quality, and helps recharge groundwater. Our bioswale at the historic site will capture and filter an estimated thousands of gallons of rainwater annually, significantly reducing runoff into the city’s storm drains.

🌿 Native Landscaping with Purpose
We’re also planting native shrubs and plants, specially chosen for their drought tolerance and ecological benefits. These plants will thrive with the water collected and filtered by the bioswale, creating a vibrant and sustainable green space that supports local biodiversity.

🚿 Advanced Drainage System
In addition to the bioswale, we’re installing a well-equipped drainage system to channel rainwater directly to the native shrubs. This innovative approach ensures that rainwater is used efficiently, reducing reliance on external irrigation and promoting water conservation.

Workforce Development: Breaking Barriers to Employment

While the environmental benefits of this project are impressive, its true heart lies in the people involved. Our partnership with CCLB is providing on-the-job training for SLA’s pre-apprenticeship participants, many of whom are overcoming barriers to employment.

This project serves as a real-world classroom, offering participants hands-on experience in:

  • Sustainable landscape design and installation

  • Bioswale construction and maintenance

  • Advanced irrigation systems

  • Native plant care and urban forestry

For many of our participants, this is a life-changing opportunity. They’re not only learning valuable technical skills but also building confidence and professional networks that will help them transition into union-backed apprenticeships and long-term careers in the green industry.

The Power of Partnership

This project is a testament to what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared vision. By partnering with CCLB, we’re combining our expertise to address multiple challenges at once:

  • Environmental restoration: Revitalizing a historic site with sustainable infrastructure

  • Economic opportunity: Providing job training and career pathways for individuals facing employment barriers

  • Community enrichment: Creating a green space that benefits Long Beach residents for generations to come

Our partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. It’s about more than the project itself—it’s about the legacy we’re creating together.

Looking Ahead

As we continue our work on this historic site, we’re excited to see the positive ripple effects it creates—for the environment, for our participants, and for the Long Beach community.

This project is more than a restoration. It’s a symbol of resilience, growth, and the incredible impact of partnerships like ours with CCLB.

Stay tuned as we share more updates, stories, and milestones from this inspiring collaboration. Together, we’re building a future where history, sustainability, and opportunity intersect.

Join Us
Want to learn more about SLA’s work or get involved in our mission? Visit our website or follow us on social media for the latest updates. Together, we can continue to empower communities, break barriers, and create a greener tomorrow.

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Jessie Salazar