SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Community Bridges is thrilled to announce we have been awarded $3 million from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CALFIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Grants program, enabling the transformation of our Early Education Division childcare outdoor spaces into vibrant, nature-based learning sites that will provide significant benefits for our staff, children and the environment.
This is the largest individual grant awarded to the Early Education Division in over five decades of operating childcare services on the Central Coast.
Through the “Blacktop to Bloom” project Community Bridges aims to increase tree canopy cover and tree canopy equity, directly shading and protecting children from extreme heat and rising temperatures due to climate change. The project will incorporate diverse natural elements and engaging educational activities, enhancing the outdoor classroom environment. These improvements will encourage access to shade during outdoor learning, physical activities, and free playtime for children, while promoting healthy eating habits and fostering environmental stewardship.
This project also benefits the environment by combating heat islands, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, alleviating extreme heat, increasing carbon sequestration, and creating natural environments.
Over the next two years, 3,500 to 10,000 square feet of concrete—equivalent to about two basketball courts—will be removed from our licensed childcare centers in Watsonville, Freedom, Santa Cruz, and the San Lorenzo Valley and replaced with trees, gardens, and eco-friendly play structures.
“We are incredibly grateful to CALFIRE for this generous grant and opportunity to create enriching, nature-based learning environments that benefit our children, community, and the environment. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our community for decades to come,” Community Bridges CEO Raymon Cancino says. “We also like to thank our partners at the City of Santa Cruz, City of Watsonville, County of Santa Cruz, MidPen Housing, Pajaro Valley Housing Corp, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Mercy Housing California, County Parks and Recreation, and the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District for their continued partnership with our early education programs and their belief in this project’s transformative potential.”
CALFIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program aims to enhance the long-term benefits provided by trees, improve public understanding and appreciation of urban trees, and advance urban forest management and tree care. Special consideration is given to projects serving disadvantaged and low-income communities.
In 2023, the USDA awarded $1.5 billion to initiatives supporting urban communities in ensuring equitable access to trees and their benefits, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and Executive Order 13985. California received a state allocation of IRA funds, with $30.8 million available for grant projects at the community, regional, or statewide level in this funding opportunity.
Community Bridges received funding through the Urban and Community Forestry Program’s Green Schoolyards grants. It was the only organization on the Central Coast awarded funding this year.
Community Bridges’ Early Education Division serves 125 children, annually, including low-income children, those with disabilities and dual language learners, ranging from 18 months to 5 ½ years old. We serve children daily 8:00am-4:00pm. The program has centers throughout the county spanning from the San Lorenzo Valley to the farmlands in Watsonville. We focus on learning through play in our early education program and work hard to ensure children have positive experiences and opportunities to learn new things, so they continue to want to learn and grow throughout their lives.
“This incredible opportunity provided by CALFIRE will make a huge difference in our program,” Early Education Division Program Director Lisa Hindman Holbert says. “It will impact the way children play, learn and experience nature through discovery while cultivating kindness towards one another and a love of nature, plants and our planet. We are so grateful and excited to share our progress.”
Key elements of the project include:
Increasing Tree Canopy Cover and Natural Landscapes
- Planting a high diversity of climate-adapted trees in groves to promote natural canopy in outdoor play areas.
- Collaborating with arborists, landscape professionals, and Green Schoolyard experts for proper tree selection, planting, and long-term care.
- Teaming up with the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center for environmental volunteering support and expertise in urban forestry to ensure sustainable maintenance.
Fostering Natural Environments, Curriculum, and Environmental Stewardship
- Integrating native plants and shrubs to create wildlife-friendly havens on all campuses.
- Developing an age-appropriate curriculum incorporating wildlife observation, habitat creation, and environmental stewardship values.
Cultivating Edible Gardens and Healthy Habits
- Establishing vegetable gardens and fruit trees on all campuses with dedicated staff ensuring proper bed maintenance over non-growing seasons.
- Offering curriculum around gardening, water conservation, and taking care of the Earth.
Creating Engaging Outdoor Classrooms
- Designing outdoor classrooms on all campuses to encourage creativity, exploration, and a love for learning with nature.
- Incorporating natural materials, open-ended and loose parts play, sensory exploration, natural art and music projects, and interactive elements to foster curiosity and problem-solving skills.
Optimizing Economic Efficiency and Sustainability
- Prioritizing low-maintenance native plants, utilizing mulching, and sustainable practices for water conservation and waste reduction.
- Training dedicated staff in basic garden and landscape maintenance skills to minimize reliance on external services.
- Allocating grant funds for both initial and long-term maintenance, engaging community support, volunteers, and in-kind donations.
Community Bridges is actively searching for a qualified local candidate to join our team as a project manager to lead this comprehensive initiative to completion. We are also seeking local, minority, and female contractors and organizations with expertise in the areas outlined above. Interested candidates for the project manager position can apply online at bit.ly/3Xrz7sV, while contractors seeking more information can reach out to us at info@cbridges.org.
About Community Bridges
Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit communitybridges.org.
About Early Education Division
The first five years of a child’s life are critical to their health and success. Our six centers provide nurturing and affordable early education. Early Education Division is part of the Community Bridges family of programs. To learn more, visit communitybridges.org/eed.
