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Find Your Voice at Our Community Song Circle, led by Heather Stevenson
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Join us for an uplifting evening of music, connection, and community at CEC’s Environmental Hub.
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Hope doesn’t grow in isolation. It’s cultivated through community, strengthened by shared experiences, and sustained by the moments of joy we create together.
On Tuesday, July 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., CEC is partnering with Santa Barbara community song leader Heather Stevenson for a Community Song Circle — our next Embodied Arts Workshop. This is an interactive, welcoming space where participants of all experience levels come together to learn simple, inspiring songs and experience the power of singing in community.
Since 2019, Heather has been curating workshops where people can connect through music, laughter, and shared expression. With warmth, skill, and humor, she’ll guide the group through accessible songs that leave participants feeling energized, grounded, and connected.
As part of our A Year of Active Hope event series, this workshop is an invitation to nourish the spirit and celebrate our resilience together. RSVP is encouraged, as these work shops fill up fast — secure your spot today!
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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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Climate Fridays Santa Barbara: Better Buildings for a Resilient Climate Future
Friday, August 7, 2026
4-5:30 p.m.
CEC Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
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Join the Community Environmental Council (CEC) for August’s Climate Fridays Santa Barbara as we explore how smarter building policies can help create a more sustainable, resilient region. Hear from Dennis Allen, founder of Allen Construction and CEC President’s Council member, Karl Hutterer, Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History Emeritus Director and CEC Board Member, and Alelia Parenteau, City of Santa Barbara Sustainability and Resilience Dept. Director, about the City of Santa Barbara Sustainability Department’s Better Buildings Pilot Program. Theprogram’s incentive-based approach rewards development projects delivering measurable benefits for climate, housing, mobility, ecological health, and public spaces. Learn how innovative policy can encourage higher-performing buildings while supporting community priorities. Climate Fridays Santa Barbara are hosted by CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to create space for fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends to collaborate to protect our planet. 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.
UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference Comes to Santa Barbara
October 9–11, 2026
UC Santa Barbara’s Corwin Pavilion
6085 UCEN Rd, Isla Vista
Join the Community Environmental Council (CEC) as we welcome the UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference to Santa Barbara this fall. Bringing together climate changemakers from across California, the conference will feature keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, community conversations, and field trips exploring climate resilience, participatory science, and equity in conservation. CEC is proud to serve as the local partner for this gathering. CEC CEO Sigrid Wright will join Mia Lopez, Chumash Cultural Educator and Founding Director of Su’nan Protection, to welcome attendees on opening day. CEC Director of Education and Operations Kathi King will also lead a workshop highlighting how CEC’s Climate Stewards course empowers community members to take climate action. Learn more and register.
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Coastal San Luis RCD Now Hiring Environmental Resource Specialist
Looking to take the next step in your conservation career? The Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (RCD) is hiring an Environmental Resource Specialist. This role is ideal for early-career professionals ready to build on their experience while supporting a diverse portfolio of projects, including ecological restoration, agricultural conservation, watershed and natural resource management, GIS mapping, and more. The position is open until filled, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply soon. Learn more and apply.
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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 reportto 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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