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Community Environmental Council (CEC) — A Year of Active Hope: FREE community events all summer long

by Community Contributor • June 22, 2026 • Comments Off

A Year of Active Hope:

Free Community Events All Summer Long

Find inspiration, community, and ways to take action at CEC’s Environmental Hub.

(1219 State St., Santa Barbara)

What does active hope look like? It looks like learning new skills, meeting inspiring people, celebrating community, coming together around shared solutions, and discovering practical ways to create change.

This summer, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) invites you to join us for A Year of Active Hope — a series of free events offering a welcoming space for people to unite, find courage, and take meaningful steps for our planet.

Several times a month, we’ll offer gatherings that showcase our community’s strength and innovative opportunities to rise up together. Events center around three core pillars:

Inspire
Film screenings and conversations with environmental leaders that connect global challenges to local solutions and remind us what’s possible.

Spark Joy
Experiences that nourish the spirit and strengthen community, including mindfulness trainings, repair workshops, and regenerative food gatherings — because a thriving movement must also sustain the people within it.

Activate

Hands-on workshops, youth programs, and resource fairs that equip participants with the skills and confidence to become effective advocates for change.

Summer Events Lineup:

Plastic-Free Expo

Thursday, June 25, 6:30-8 p.m.

Connect with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders working to reduce plastic pollution.

Embodied Arts Workshop: An Invitation to Play, Presence, and Belonging

Tuesday, June 30, 6:30-8 p.m.

Explore movement, creativity, and reflection to deepen connection with yourself and the natural world.

Author Talk with Dr. Brett Caraway

Wednesday, July 8, 6:30-8 p.m.

Join sustainability author Dr. Brett Caraway for a discussion on the intersection of economics, public policy, and environmental challenges.

Climate Fridays Santa Barbara

Friday, July 10, 4-5:30 p.m.

Learn about current local and statewide efforts to reduce single-use plastics and discover ways to support policy change.

“Seaweed Stories” Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Wednesday, July 15, 6:30-8 p.m.

Discover how seaweed-based innovations are addressing climate and plastic pollution challenges through a film screening and expert panel discussion.

Repair Cafe Santa Barbara

Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bring broken household items and work alongside volunteer fixers to repair, reuse, and keep them out of the landfill.

Embodied Arts Workshop

Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6:30-8 p.m.

Reconnect with yourself, your community, and the world around you through a beginner-friendly workshop.

Climate Fridays Santa Barbara

Friday, August 7, 4-5:30 p.m.

Learn about regional climate change issues, take collective action, and collaborate to protect our planet.

Embodied Arts Workshop

Tuesday, August 25, 6:30-8 p.m.

Reconnect with yourself, your community, and the world around you through a beginner-friendly workshop.

Browse Events and Register

Other Events and Opportunities

CEC’s Green Gala

Saturday, September 19

4:30-9 p.m.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

136 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara

Join us for Green Gala 2026, an unforgettable evening celebrating community, connection, and climate action on California’s Central Coast. Inspired by this year’s theme, Rooted in Hope, guests will enjoy a lively welcome reception and Green Gala Market, exceptional local wine, a climate-smart dinner created by Elizabeth Poett of Rancho San Julian and The Ranch Table in partnership with Duo Catering, live auction experiences, and inspiring stories of local impact. Proceeds support CEC’s work advancing clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and environmental leadership throughout the region. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Learn more and reserve your place.

Seeking Green Gala Auction Donations

The Green Gala Market celebrates the people, products, places, and experiences that make California’s Central Coast so special. We’re currently seeking silent and live auction donations, including unique experiences, travel packages, dining opportunities, artwork, handcrafted goods, outdoor adventures, and other one-of-a-kind offerings. Your contribution helps support local climate solutions while introducing Green Gala guests to some of our region’s most inspiring businesses, makers, and destinations.

Submit an auction donation or contact Katie Hershfelt at khershfelt@cecmail.org to discuss ideas and opportunities.

Become a Resilience Hub and Help Your Community Prepare for Disasters

The California Central Coast faces growing challenges from extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and poor air quality. Community resilience hubs — trusted local spaces like schools, libraries, community centers, and churches — can provide aid and resources before, during, and after these events. CEC can help activate your site to:

Provide clean air during smoke events
Act as cooling locations during extreme heat
Distribute food
Serve as an emergency shelter or hub for emergency services
Facilitate disaster preparedness training and neighborhood organizing
Host off-grid charging during power outages or shutdowns

Learn more about Community Resilience Hubs, take our short survey, and use our toolkit to get started today.

Support Critical Work Like This

Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC is led by CEO Sigrid Wright, 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. See our most recent impact report to learn how we are serving California’s Central Coast by advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.