2:45pm | The public is invited to Long Beach City Hall on Friday, when the city plans to host a festive Earth Day celebration.

According to information provided by the city of Long Beach, the April 22 celebration will demonstrate the city’s “commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.”

The local Earth Day celebration is set to showcase the city’s green initiatives and environmental programs while encouraging the community to take individual actions “to make every day Earth Day,” according to City Hall.

Attendees will have the opportunity to obtain information on city programs and services, including energy efficiency and lawn-to-garden rebates, as well as the residential mulch delivery and tree-planting programs. 

Freebies will be passed out, too. Southern California Edison will be on hand distributing Mercury-free LED light bulbs, and the Civic Center Garden Project will pass out seed packets and vegetable seedlings, all free of charge.

Mayor Bob Foster is expected to tout the Wyland Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, which he recently announced the city had signed on to. Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal and Sustainability Coordinator Larry Rich are also scheduled to give presentations. 

“The Earth Day celebration at City Hall is a great way for residents to engage with the city on sustainable programs,” Lowenthal said in a statement. “While the city of Long Beach has assumed a leadership position on many environmental initiatives, it will be the individual day-to-day actions of its residents that will transform us into an even more sustainable city.” 

The first Earth Day was celebrated 41 years ago on April 22, 1970, with the goal of inspiring environmental awareness and encouraging the conservation, protection and appreciation of the nation’s natural environment, ecosystems and resources.

Long Beach this year has been named a Global Day of Conservation City for 2011 by the Earth Day Network. 

The celebration at City Hall will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the Civic Plaza surrounding City Hall, 333. W. Ocean Blvd.

For more information about the city’s sustainable initiatives or to view the Earth Week 2011 calendar of events featuring dozens of free, public activities in Long Beach, visit: SustainableLB.com.