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Your favorite broken item deserves a second chance — join us this Saturday for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara
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Keep useful items out of the landfill and learn new repair skills in the process.
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Before you recycle or throw something away, let’s see if it can be repaired! Join us Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CEC’s Environmental Hub (1219 State St.) for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara, where skilled volunteer fixers will help you troubleshoot and repair everyday items.
Bring up to two items to fix — whether it’s clothing, electronics, bicycles, furniture, toys, or small appliances. You’ll work side by side with volunteers, learn practical repair skills, and help keep valuable items in use instead of creating unnecessary waste.
This is an opportunity to learn something new, connect with your community, and discover how repairing what we already have can make a meaningful difference for the planet. While you wait, enjoy live music, light refreshments, and conversation with fellow community members who share a commitment to sustainability.
Repair Cafe goes beyond fixing broken items — it also helps us build a more resourceful Central Coast. As part of our A Year of Active Hope series, this free event celebrates the power of community action. We hope to see you on Saturday!
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Call for Volunteer Fixers
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Repair Cafe Santa Barbara is looking for volunteer fixers! If you can mend, tinker, or consider yourself “handy,” we would love to have you join us. At Repair Cafe, you can meet new people, feel part of something local, gain satisfaction from fixing things, and of course, help the planet through repair. Please email info@repaircafesb.org to volunteer, or with questions. We look forward to working with you!
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“Seaweed Stories” Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
6:30-8 p.m.
CEC’s Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
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Join us to explore how kelp and seaweed-based innovations are helping tackle some of our most pressing environmental challenges. We’ll screen Seaweed Stories, a film narrated by Forest Whitaker that takes viewers around the world to meet innovators, scientists, and Indigenous leaders using seaweed as a solution — from replacing plastic packaging to strengthening climate resilience. Following the film screening, a panel moderated by Karla Mora, Alante Capital CEO, will feature Julia Marsh, Sway CEO, Adam Bent, Lonely Whale CEO, and Gracie White, Director of Global Ocean Investments at Conservational International Ventures LLC, who will discuss the growing role of seaweed in building a more sustainable future. Enjoy refreshments and conversations with fellow community members passionate about ocean and climate solutions and stay until the end for audience Q&A. Learn more and register.
CreativeMornings Santa Barbara: Competition
Friday, July 24, 2026
8:30-10 a.m.
CEC Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
Join CreativeMornings Santa Barbara for a free breakfast lecture exploring July’s global theme: Competition. This month’s gathering features Santa Barbara Run Club leader Aly Davis and will include comedy from Bear Cave Comedy. Come enjoy breakfast, conversation, and an inspiring morning with Santa Barbara’s creative community. Learn more and register.
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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.
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Summer of Ocean Love Scavenger Hunt
June 20 – August 29, 2026
Throughout Santa Barbara County
Looking for a fun way to celebrate and protect the coast this summer? Join the Summer of Ocean Love Scavenger Hunt, a free, all-ages adventure featuring ocean-inspired missions across Santa Barbara County. Using the GooseChase app, participants can complete challenges such as creating ocean-themed art, joining beach cleanups, spotting local wildlife, learning about coastal conservation, and visiting community organizations like CEC. Missions are available in both English and Spanish, and new challenges will be added throughout the summer.
Created by local ocean advocate Katie Joseff in partnership with CEC, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, 805Action, The Surf League, and Save Our Shores, the scavenger hunt offers a joyful way to connect with nature while supporting the health of our coastline. Participants can join at any time, compete for prizes throughout the summer, and vie for a $500 grand prize awarded to the winning team. Learn more and sign up.
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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:
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Provide clean air during smoke events
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Act as cooling locations during extreme heat
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Distribute food
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Serve as an emergency shelter or hub for emergency services
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Facilitate disaster preparedness training and neighborhood organizing
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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.
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Support Critical Work Like This
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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.
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Learn more about how you can invest in CEC’s work to accelerate regional climate solutions at cecsb.org/donate.
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