Big Creek Lumber continues School Garden Grant Program for 2026
Program enters its 10th year
– Big Creek Lumber has announced that it will continue its School Garden Grant Program for 2026. Since the program began, more than 90 grants have been awarded to schools near Big Creek locations. This year, twelve additional schools will have the opportunity to receive garden bed kits made from locally sourced, sustainably harvested redwood lumber.
The School Garden Grant Program provides students and teachers with opportunities for hands-on learning in science, biology, agriculture, carpentry, and forestry. The redwood garden beds are used as outdoor classrooms and highlight the durability and sustainability of natural materials.
Big Creek Lumber informally donated garden beds to schools for decades. The program, now entering its 10th year, formalizes that commitment and expands access through an annual application process.
“Every spring, it’s such a joy to hand-deliver our School Garden Bed Grants,” said Marketing Director Michelle Webb. “Watching students’ excitement when a Big Creek truck arrives with their kit never gets old. I’ve been fortunate to join many of these deliveries over the years, and I know the garden spaces created will continue to inspire students for seasons to come. I’m already looking forward to meeting our 2026 recipients.”
Schools are encouraged to apply annually, with recipients eligible to reapply after two years. Applications and eligibility information are available on Big Creek Lumber’s website at bigcreeklumber.com/schoolgardenbedgrants. Applicants can click “About” on the menu and select “Building our Communities.” Paper applications may also be picked up at any of Big Creek Lumber’s six retail yards in Atwater, Half Moon Bay, Paso Robles, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and Vallejo.
Twelve garden bed kits will be awarded and delivered to recipient schools. Completed applications must be returned in person to a Big Creek Lumber yard by Friday, Oct. 31. Two schools will be selected at random in the vicinity of each retail yard, and deliveries are scheduled for early spring.
The 2025 Garden Bed Grant winners were Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School in Atherton, Bittles Family Child Care in Creston, Branciforte Middle School in Santa Cruz, Happy Days Children’s Learning Center in Santa Cruz, Live Oak Elementary in Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay Charter School in Pacific Grove, Skytown Preschool Parent Cooperative in Richmond, Templeton Unified Alternative Education in Templeton, and Wilkinson School in El Granada.
Big Creek Lumber has operated since 1946 and remains one of the few family-owned lumber companies in California. The McCrary family has lived and worked on the Central Coast for seven generations. The company operates a sawmill, wholesale sales department, six retail yards, a forestry department, and a logging operation. Big Creek grows, selectively harvests, and mills California coastal redwood and Douglas fir. More information is available at bigcreeklumber.com.
