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Turn your climate concern into community impact
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One more week until CEC’s Fall Climate Stewards course kicks off — register before Sept. 15.
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Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Oct. 27, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m. PDT via Zoom
(Plus weekends for in-person field trips)
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Climate challenges can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to feel powerless. The Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) fall Climate Stewards course is your opportunity to join a growing community of changemakers taking meaningful action across the Central Coast.
Over seven weeks, you’ll explore the science and solutions behind the climate crisis facing our region, hear from local experts and climate leaders, and connect with others who want to make a difference. You’ll have chances to put what you learn into practice through hands-on field experiences and a stewardship project centered on an issue you care about. You don’t have to do it alone — we’ll be there to guide you!
The course offers space to learn, exchange ideas, collaborate, and build relationships. Since the program began in 2020, over 200 Central Coast residents have completed the UC-certified course and gone on to apply their learning across their communities, sharing their knowledge and inspiring others to act.
If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, this is your invitation to take the first step. Join the fall cohort, beginning September 15. You never know what one new idea, connection, or project can set in motion, and when individual action is multiplied by a community, the possibilities grow.
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Join our next Climate Stewards course that begins
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
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Anyone can be a Climate Steward!
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“The Climate Stewards course helped me take concrete action that supports cleaner oceans and builds community among local mariners.”
— Kyla Murphy,
Ocean Lover
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As a professional boat captain and passionate ocean advocate, Climate Stewards alumna Kyla Murphy sees the effects of climate change firsthand — from birthday balloons floating in the Santa Barbara Channel to melting glaciers in Southeast Alaska.
Motivated by these experiences, Kyla took the Climate Stewards course to find hands-on ways to protect our ocean and marine life for future generations. For her Stewardship Project, she designed and distributed educational posters across the harbors of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Oxnard, promoting safe and eco-friendly boat waste disposal practices. Through her efforts, Kyla is fostering a stronger culture of environmental responsibility on and off the water.
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Next Cohort: Fall 2026, Sept. 15 – Oct. 27
Schedule: Tuesdays from 6:30–8:30 p.m. PDT via Zoom
Field Trips: Multiple in-person field trip options
Course Fee: $360; 50% scholarships are available to Central Coast residents who express financial need. For 2026: eight full scholarships are available for K-12 teachers in Santa Barbara County.
Know a teacher who would benefit from this course?
 Share this opportunity
Instructor: Kathi King, CEC Senior Director of Outreach & Education
Instructional Assistant: Maeve Merwin, CEC Climate Stewards Alumna
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The Carbon Wave: Author Talk with Dr. Leah Stokes
Thursday, September 10
6:30–8 p.m.
CEC’s Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
Join CEC for an evening with Dr. Leah Stokes, associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, policy director of The 2035 Initiative, and author of The Carbon Wave: A Story of Democracy, Parenthood, and the Race to Protect Our Planet. In conversation with Santa Barbara Independent Editor-In-Chief Marianne Partridge, Dr. Stokes will discuss how she helped shape the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the largest federal climate law in American history, as she navigated a high-risk pregnancy. She’ll walk through her personal story — the political victories, tense negotiations, and setbacks — during a pivotal chapter in climate policy. After the author talk, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet Dr. Stokes during a book signing. Chaucer’s Books will provide copies of The Carbon Wave for purchase. Learn more and register.
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.
UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference Comes to Santa Barbara
October 9 – 11
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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Share Your Feedback: Help Inform CEC’s Climate Work
We want to hear from you! Take a few minutes to complete CEC’s Community Feedback Survey and share how CEC is doing, what environmental issues matter most, and how you like to connect. Your feedback will help shape how we focus our work, communicate with our community, and create meaningful opportunities for climate action across the Central Coast. The survey is fully anonymous and all questions are optional. Complete the full survey for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Take the survey here.
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New Incentives to Go Electric
California is making it more affordable to switch to a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), with new incentives for first-time buyers and rideshare drivers.
$3,500 for First-Time EV Buyers
Through California’s new MyFirstEV program, eligible Californians can receive $3,500 off a new ZEV or $1,750 off a qualifying used vehicle, applied directly at the dealership. The program is currently available through Hyundai and Lucid, with more automakers joining soon.
Up to $20,300 for Rideshare Drivers
The new Rideshare Incentives for Driving Electric (RIDE) program launches in September and offers eligible Uber, Lyft, and HopSkipDrive drivers up to $20,300 toward a new ZEV, up to $14,200 toward a used ZEV, plus up to $1,170 annually for charging costs.
For personalized assistance finding EV rebates and incentives you qualify for, visit cec.pub/electrify-yourlife and fill out the EV Assistance sign-up form, or contact CEC Climate Projects Associate Sachi Shiroma at sshiroma@cecmail.org or (805) 730-0203.
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Where Santa Barbara’s Changemakers Gather
Planning a board meeting, strategic retreat, workshop, or community event this fall? The Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub offers flexible, sustainably designed meeting and event space for non-profits, educational institutions, and government agencies.
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With competitive nonprofit pricing, professional AV, and versatile spaces for meetings, trainings, film screenings, and community gatherings, The Hub provides the perfect setting to bring people together. Every booking also supports CEC’s work to advance climate solutions across the Central Coast.
Explore the space and book your event.
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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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