Feature Story

Redwood manufacturers renew outreach to industry’s next generation

PrImary redwood manufacturers Humboldt Sawmill, Scotia, Ca., and Big Creek Lumber, Davenport, Ca., are continuing to invest in the next generation of lumbermen, foresters, construction managers, architects and engineers by renewing successful partnerships and programs.

Humboldt Sawmill is once again sponsoring the Design Build course at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Ca. Instructed by Professor Dale Clifford in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the course offers students valuable handson experience.

“Often students in the class have no previous construction experience. Coming to design consensus and building something at full-scale builds competence and confidence in each student. Students and faculty learn conflict resolution, empathy, and that they can accomplish more together than individually,” said Professor Clifford.

Humboldt Sawmill is donating redwood dimensional lumber for the primary course project, a prototype outdoor classroom that will be exhibited on-campus and later donated to a local elementary school.

Previously, Humboldt Sawmill donated redwood to the Poly Canyon and Camp Natoma student-led projects in the Design Build course instructed by Professor Clifford, as well as for Cal Poly’s entry into the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in 2015 led by Prof. Sandy Stannard. The “INhouse” featured a redwood shade screen that was both beautiful and functional in helping keep the structure cool.

Incorporating real-world materials, such as redwood, in design-build applications is important for students in architecture, engineering and construction management.

“Our college considers hands-on construction a valuable part of the learning process that engenders team-building skills and helps prepare students to creatively contribute to the built environment,” Professor Clifford said.

Big Creek Lumber has announced its second annual McCrary Family Scholarship. The scholarship, started in 2021 to celebrate the company’s 75th year in business, awards financial assistance to high school seniors pursuing a career in the skilled trades or forestry. New this year is the option for past recipients of the scholarship to apply for a one-time renewal for continued financial support while pursuing their education.

Last year, the scholarship provided $2,000 in financial assistance to two impressive graduating high school seniors. Alex Castro-Neri, of Felton, is studying construction management at Hartnell Community College, where he will also be running for the Hartnell track team. He hopes to one day earn his degree in electrical engineering. Caeden Murphy, of Paso Robles, recently graduated from the Electrical Lineworker Program at Northwest

Lineman College in Texas.

Big Creek Lumber looks forward to awarding more scholarships to worthy recipients this year.

The McCrary Family Scholarship was inspired by Big Creek co-founders Bud and Lud McCrary who made their careers in the skilled trades. Upon returning from service in World War II, Bud and Lud co-founded Big Creek Lumber at approximately the same age that most students graduate high school. The scholarship honors the important roles that forestry and the skilled trades still play in the operation of Big Creek’s business, for their construction industry customers and for the world.

Students seeking to apply can find more info and an application at www. bigcreeklumber.com/scholarships.

STUDENTS at Cal Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Ca., worked with redwood donated by Humboldt Sawmill such as in a recent project at Poly Canyon.

•Incense, just like Western Red, is non-resinous and decay-resistant, making it ideal for many outdoor applications, including decking and garden beds. •Incense Cedar is less combustible than

Western Red—a definite benefit in many regions.

(Test Method ASTM E-84, according to the Western Wood

Product Association Product Use Manual). •Incense Cedar is highly durable under all weather conditions and in all climates. Plus, excellent thermal properties (comparable to Western Red), keep it from heating up. That’s appreciated by anyone walking on a deck barefoot on a summer day. • Incense Cedar has a beautiful chocolate heart center and is not as red as Western Red. They both weather to an appealing driftwood gray with a silvery sheen. •Both species are easy to work with. (The Forest

Products Lab rated Incense Cedar in the top group of three in workability with hand tools.) They both machine easily, resulting in a smooth, silken surface. •Both species offer the same dimensional stability: dried from a green state down to 12-15% moisture content, they both shrink 3.8% by volume.