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Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Hope Has Roots. Reserve tickets for Green Gala on Sept. 19

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2026 • Comments Off

When we began planning this year’s Green Gala, we kept coming back to a simple idea: Hope has roots.

The most important things often begin beneath the surface.

Long before a seed becomes a harvest, healthy soil is quietly doing the work that makes life possible. It nourishes plants, supports biodiversity, and sustains entire ecosystems. We rarely see it, but everything depends on it.

Communities work the same way.

Meaningful climate action grows through relationships, shared purpose, and people working together. Farmers and ranchers. Scientists and entrepreneurs. Volunteers and advocates. Donors and partners. Each plays a role in creating a healthier, more resilient future.

That’s what Rooted in Hope means to us.

On Saturday, September 19, we’ll gather at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum to celebrate the people cultivating climate solutions across the Central Coast. Guests will enjoy a seasonal, climate-smart dinner created in collaboration with Elizabeth Poett of Rancho San Julian and The Ranch Table, inspiring stories from local leaders, and our new Green Gala Market — an interactive celebration of local makers, artisans, farmers, ranchers, and food and beverage partners.

Together, we’ll raise critical funds to advance clean energy, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture throughout our region.

Because hope is something we grow, together.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

Hope Looks Like…

At CEC, hope looks like action.

It looks like connecting farmers and ranchers with climate-smart funding and technical assistance through Central Coast AgLink.

It looks like preparing communities for extreme heat and wildfire.

It looks like expanding access to clean transportation.

It looks like protecting the lands and waters that sustain us all.

Every Green Gala ticket, sponsorship, and auction bid helps make this work possible.

Explore the Green Gala Market

This year, we’re reimagining the traditional silent auction. The Green Gala Market is an interactive celebration of the Central Coast, where guests can meet the farmers, ranchers, artisans, food and beverage partners, and climate innovators helping shape a more sustainable future.

Enjoy tastings, demonstrations, and conversations while discovering one-of-a-kind products and experiences. Each featured participant will offer a corresponding silent auction item, creating a fun and engaging way to support CEC’s climate work while connecting with some of the region’s most inspiring people and businesses.

Help Us Build the Market

We’re still curating this year’s Green Gala Market and silent auction and are looking for exceptional experiences, locally made products, artwork, dining experiences, outdoor adventures, and other unique items that showcase the best of the Central Coast.

If you’d like to contribute an auction item or experience, we’d love to hear from you.

DONATE AN AUCTION ITEM

Growing Together

We’re grateful to the businesses and organizations helping make Green Gala possible. Thanks to their generosity, we’re already 85% of the way toward our sponsorship goal!

Their support is helping advance clean energy, climate resilience, and regenerative agriculture across the Central Coast.