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Community Environmental Council (CEC) introduces the Central Coast Resilience Hubs Accelerator

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2025 • Comments Off

CEC introduces the Central Coast Resilience Hubs Accelerator

Together, we can create a more connected and climate-resilient Central Coast.

The California Central Coast is on the frontlines of climate change — from extreme heat to wildfires to flooding, natural disasters are becoming part of our new reality. We may not be able to control when they strike, but we do hold the power to transform risk into readiness and build more resilient communities that continue to thrive in the wake of climate challenges.

To help residents who are most vulnerable, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) is partnering with the Central Coast Climate Collaborative (4C), County of Santa Barbara, Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN), and several area nonprofits to introduce the Central Coast Community Resilience Hubs Accelerator.

Community Resilience Hubs turn local spaces into

climate disaster lifelines.

Resilience Hubs are trusted, familiar locations — like schools, libraries, churches, and community centers — that provide critical resources before, during, and after disasters. Local leaders and organizations can access 4C’s Community Resilience Hub Toolkit to turn their sites into Resilience Hubs. Each Hub is designed hand-in-hand with residents to meet the specific needs of the community. Hubs can:

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 shutdown

Central Coast Resilience Hubs Accelerator Services

CEC is working to facilitate the rapid mobilization of community resilience hubs to serve residents who are at high risk during extreme weather and disaster events.

To make this happen, CEC provides:

Connection to available resources in your area, including energy auditing and local electrification incentive programs
Liaison with local government agency partners for existing resources, including the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for emergency service support, the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) for clean air center support, Public Health for public communications support, city and county Sustainability Departments for energy resilience support, etc.
Hazard identification and risk assessment for your facilities
Training for your staff and board on how to integrate resilience hub services
Support with creation of resilience hub operational plans, grant development and grant writing, as funding permits

Help establish a Resilience Hub in your community.

Do you have a facility — or know one — that could become a community resilience hub? Share the details with us, and we’ll help you take the first steps. Complete the form to get started.

Get Started

Already working on turning your site into a resilience hub? The Central Coast Climate Collaborative’s (4C’s) toolkit is designed to guide local leaders and organizations through the process. Inside, you’ll find an introduction to resilience hubs, step-by-step instructions for activating your facility, and a collection of curated, regionally tailored resources.

Explore the Toolkit

Resilience Hub Spotlight:

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

“Kids are living through more climate disasters now than in previous generations and lower-income communities are hit exponentially harder, without resources to rebuild. My job is to prepare kids for the future, and that includes climate change.”

-Jamie Collins

Executive Director

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

Having seen firsthand the traumatic effects of natural disasters on families in her community, Executive Director (and CEC Climate Steward alum) Jamie Collins was thrilled that Girls Inc. of Carpinteria was selected as one of the first climate resilience hubs.

During a disaster or grid outage, the space can host up to 500 individuals and offer three days of solar power. Jamie sees this as an opportunity build climate resilience in Carpinteria, offering safe shelter, essential resources, and peace of mind to residents when emergencies strike.

Resources

Extreme heat is not just uncomfortable — it’s life-threatening, and it’s deepening divides between those who can escape it and those who can’t. Explore these heat resources to learn more about how rising temperatures are reshaping daily life, exposing workers and vulnerable communities to dangerous conditions, and underscoring the urgent need for climate resilience. Plus, explore the CA Heat Assessment Tool to understand how extreme heat will impact specific communities across the state.

Other Opportunities

Introducing Central Coast AgLink – A New Way to Access Support for Your Land

We are excited to launch Central Coast AgLink (CCAL), a free platform that streamlines support for land stewardship and creates a stronger, more connected agricultural community on the Central Coast.

Farmers, ranchers, and land stewards:No matter the size or your operation or the type of land stewardship project you’re interested in, CCAL can help. This free service can help you find funding, plan your project, and connect you with partners to reach your goals faster. Fill out a quick two-minute form and CEC will reach out to get started.

Agriculture professionals, experts, and organizations: CCAL can serve as a resource to receive direct referrals from local producers, expand outreach to new landowners, and collaborate through shared events and technical assistance.

Learn more about CCAL and sign up here.

Upcoming Events

Make Polluters Pay Meeting

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Virtual (join from anywhere!)

Polluters Pay Santa Barbara is rallying support for California’s Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would make fossil fuel companies pay for their role in causing climate damages. Hosted by two recent Climate Stewards graduates, this monthly gathering will share updates and meaningful actions you can take to push this important policy forward. Join the movement for a fair transition to a safe climate future! The August meeting will be hosted on Zoom.Learn more .

Climate Fridays Santa Barbara

Friday, September 5, 2025 (AND every first Friday in 2025)

3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

CEC’s Environmental Hub

1219 State St., Santa Barbara

Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month. At these events, climate activists, students, community partners, and friends gather to learn about regional climate change issues and how to take collective action to protect our planet. September’s gathering will focus on the national Sun Day day of action event on September 21, a celebration of the power of clean energy. Learn about plans for our local event at the Santa Barbara Public Library and how you can participate in the clean energy revolution. Stick around after the meeting for our quarterly happy hour to enjoy complimentary refreshments and network with the community. Learn more and register.

TGIF! Happy Hour

Friday, September 12, 2025

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

EDC Courtyard

906 Garden St., Santa Barbara

Join us at the Environmental Defense Center’s September TGIF! happy hour to meet and mingle with environmentally minded community members. Enjoy live music, food and drinks, and engage with local non-profit and environmental organizations, elected officials, and climate leaders from throughout the South Central Coast. CEC is a partner on this event. Learn more and register.

National Drive Electric Month

Friday, September 12 – Sunday, October 12, 2025

Locations throughout the California Central Coast

National Drive Electric Month is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. If you’re considering an electric vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of thousands of dollars in savings. Join CEC’s team at one of these free regional events to learn about EV rebates, incentive programs, and the benefits of switching to an electric vehicle.

EV Incentives Resource Fair

Wednesday, September 10

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

CEC’s Environmental Hub

1219 State St., Santa Barbara

Learn more.

EV Showcase at Downtown Fridays Santa Maria

Friday, September 26

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

345 Town Center E, Santa Maria

Learn more.

EV Expo at the Madonna Inn

Saturday, September 27

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Madonna Inn

100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo

Learn more.

Ventura County EV Showcase

Sunday, October 5

12:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Ventura Harbor

1591 Spinnaker Drive, Main Lawn, Ventura

Learn more.

Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair & EV Showcase

Sunday, October 19

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

449 N Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks

Learn more.

Santa Barbara Sun Day Celebration

Sunday, September 21, 2025

1:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Santa Barbara Public Library

40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara

Join us for a local celebration of clean energy progress as part of the national Sun Day of action, led by Third Act. Hosted by CEC, Sierra Club Santa Barbara/Ventura, Society of Fearless Grandmothers, and the City of Santa Barbara, this free, festival-style event will feature speakers, kids’ activities, community booths, and resources to help electrify your home or business. Come take part in building a sun-powered future for Santa Barbara County and beyond! Learn more and register.

Green Gala After Party (Open to all 21+)

Saturday, September 27, 2025

8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

The Bakery Block in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone

120 Gray Avenue

Hosted at one of the newest hotspots in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, the Green Gala After Party welcomes the public to join us for a high-energy dance party under the stars, featuring live music from The Academy, complimentary drinks from local makers, and the chance to connect and celebrate with climate champions and changemakers. A suggested donation of $35 gets you in the door and helps power a climate-safe future for our community and beyond. Bring a friend and meet us on the dance floor! 21+ only. Purchase tickets.

The Issue with Tissue Screening and Filmmaker Discussion

Thursday, October 30, 2025

6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

CEC’s Environmental Hub

1219 State St., Santa Barbara

Join CEC and the Sierra Club Santa Barbara/Ventura Chapter for The Issue with Tissue film screening, followed by an enlightening discussion with writer, director, and producer Michael Zelniker, moderated by CEC board member and UC Santa Barbara professor Dr. David Pellow. This documentary reveals the powerful connection between the boreal forest and the Indigenous Peoples who call it home — and the deforestation threats they now face from the toilet paper industry. Scientists, activists, and First Nations Elders and Leaders speak out on why conserving this ancient forest is not only necessary, but deeply human. Learn more and register.

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.