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Through Aug. 29; Sept. 19 — Community Environmental Council (CEC) announces a variety of upcoming events

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

Join us for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara, a completely free, community-powered event where volunteers help fix broken items instead of sending them to the landfill. Bring up to two items—such as clothing, electronics, bikes, furniture, toys, small appliances, or knives for sharpening—and work alongside skilled fixers to bring them back to life. Enjoy light refreshments, live music, and community conversation while learning new repair skills. This is not a drop-off service; you’ll collaborate directly with a volunteer who will assess your item, guide you through the repair process, and share practical skills along the way. Open to the public and designed to empower you to repair your favorite items, this is a hands-on, educational experience rooted in sustainability and community connection. Interested in getting involved? Contact info@repaircafe.org to volunteer your skills, attend future events, or simply help us spread the word! Learn more.

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.

Other Opportunities

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.

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.