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Climate Victory Garden Grants

The Water Conservation Coalition of Santa Cruz County is offering financial and technical assistance to help residents, businesses, and organizations create water-efficient landscapes that enhance the biodiversity and resilience of our local watersheds. The Climate Victory Garden grant offers free design assistance and $2,500 toward materials needed to achieve Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping certification. Eligible materials including mulch and compost, climate-appropriate plants, efficient irrigation equipment, permeable pavements, and rainwater harvesting materials. Selected projects will coordinate with Ecology Action to host a workshop where members of the public will participate in the landscape installation and learn about Monterey Bay-Friendly Landscaping design, installation, and maintenance practices.

Project applications are accepted year-round. Water Conservation Coalition members will select projects and award grants in February and August based on public demonstration value and financial need. If the project is selected in February, the installation workshop will take place the in the spring. Projects that are selected in August will host public workshops in the fall.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • The project site must be in a location with high visibility to the general public. Backyard landscape projects & vegetable gardens are not eligible.
  • The project area must be more than 1,000 sq. ft.
  • A concept design or drawing and pre-project photos must be submitted with the online application.
  • The project must save water and include a water efficiency improvement, such as turf removal or sprinkler to drip irrigation conversion.
  • The project must reduce storm water run-off from the property and include one or more storm water retention features, such as a rainwater harvesting system, rain garden, dry creek bed or swale, or permeable pavement.
  • The Property owner must agree to:
    • Participate in the design, construction, and maintenance of the landscape project(s).
    • Allow the general public to assist with the project installation during a workshop led by Ecology Action staff,
    • Recruit volunteers (friends, family members, co-workers, etc.) to participate in the installation workshop.
    • Complete the project installation within 30-days of the planned workshop date.
    • Allow posting of a Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping recognition sign in the landscape, upon project completion.
    • Allow posting of pre-and post-project photos on the Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping gallery at green-gardener.org

Apply for Assistance!

Monterey Bay-Friendly Landscape Grant Application

  • Briefly describe your project goals. Example: The project will convert 1,000 sq ft of lawn to drought tolerant landscaping with downspout diversion to rain garden
  • Please enter the dollar amount that you or your organization have budgeted for the project.
  • Describe why your project is in special need of funding assistance.
  • Describe how you will engage the community to help with the project installation, and the value the project will provide for public education on Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping practices.
  • Describe who will be responsible for maintaining the landscape once installed, and what maintenance activities you expect.
  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 2 MB, Max. files: 4.
      Please upload up to 4 pictures of the project area. Pictures should show the entire project area from different angles.
    • Drop files here or
      Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 2 MB.
        Please upload a concept plan or design for your project
      • Do you need design or technical assistance for this project?
      Save and Continue Later

      For questions about the application and grant selection process, call Sherry Bryan at Ecology Action: 831-515-1314.