Presentation of the Green Port Hero Awards in December 2025 was the final event of the Port of Long Beach’s yearlong celebration marking the 20th anniversary of its Green Port Policy, the landmark commitment to improve air and water quality, protect marine wildlife and implement sustainable practices while engaging and educating the community. Adopted in 2005, it still serves as the guide for decision-making and environmentally friendly Port operations.
The Green Port Hero Awards element of the yearlong celebration was created to recognize and celebrate Port-related businesses, nonprofits and individuals who have made significant contributions advancing environmental sustainability in the spirit of the Green Port Policy over the last 20 years. The primary objective of the Green Port Hero Awards was to reach out to community members, customers and Port stakeholders to engage them and make them part of the 20 Years Leading Green celebration, acknowledging their accomplishments. The awards were devised to recognize and celebrate businesses, nonprofits and individuals who exemplify the spirit of The Green Port. Following months of outreach, nominations and publicity, the awards presentation ceremony in December 2025 was the final event of the anniversary year and served as a capstone for the celebration.
The Port received a total of 46 nominations and recognized heroes in five categories: Supply Chain (5 nominations), Industry (4 nominations) and Nonprofit (7 nominations), whose candidates were nominated by Port staff; Youth (17 nominations), chosen from students attending Long Beach-area schools and nominated by Long Beach teachers; and Neighborhood (13 nominations), based on nominations from the community. Each nominee received a trophy, with one nominee per category named a Green Port Hero. Youth award nominees each received a $500 scholarship and the Youth Hero winner received $2,000.
The Green Port Hero Awards highlighted and paid tribute to neighbors and stakeholders who have also made important contributions to cleaning and protecting the environment in the spirit of the Green Port Policy. Although this was a one-time program as part of the Port’s 20 Years Leading Green campaign, a Green Port Hero Scholarship is being established to be awarded annually to a deserving student nominated by their high school and selected by the Port’s scholarship panel.