Community Environmental Council (CEC)

Community Environmental Council (CEC) 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year. Read our impact statement: https://cecsb.org/impact

Community Environmental Council (CEC) is putting the Central Coast – and California – on track for an equitable, climate-safe future with an ambitious plan for how our community can meet this urgent moment, go all in together, and halt the climate crisis. Over the next ten years, our work will focus on three major efforts.

🌱Reverse the trajectory of the climate crisis
🌿Repair the damage already done
🍃Protect communities from extreme weather and other climate impacts

When emergencies happen, your blood donation can make a life-saving difference.Join CEC and Vitalant for a community blo...
05/28/2026

When emergencies happen, your blood donation can make a life-saving difference.

Join CEC and Vitalant for a community blood drive on Monday, June 15 from 1:00-4:30 p.m. at CEC's Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara) to help keep the local blood supply strong during the busy summer season.

As a thank you, all donors will receive a $15 Rewards gift card through Vitalant’s donor rewards program.

To schedule an appointment:

1. Visit cec.pub/cec-blood-drive or call 877-258-4825 and mention Blood Drive Code 100564079

2. Choose an available appointment time between 1:00 and 4:30 p.m.

3. Select your donation type:
Whole Blood (the standard and most common donation option)
Power Red (double-dose red blood cell donation, only takes an extra 15 minutes)

4. Enter donor rewards code JUNEGIFT-2026-V while scheduling to receive a $15 Rewards gift card

Every donation matters — we hope to see you at The Hub on June 15!

Sea level rise will shape Santa Barbara’s future — join us to learn how our community is preparing. 🏖️June’s Climate Fri...
05/27/2026

Sea level rise will shape Santa Barbara’s future — join us to learn how our community is preparing. 🏖️

June’s Climate Fridays Santa Barbara will focus on coastal resilience and protecting our waterfronts amidst a changing climate.

Melissa Hetrick, the City of Santa Barbara’s Adaptation and Resilience Manager, will share updates on the Waterfront Adaptation Plan and how community members can help shape the city’s response.

We'll also hear from Dan Galpern of the Climate Protection & Restoration Initiative about efforts to keep the United States signed on to the World Climate Treaty and how you can sign the petition.

WHERE: CEC’s Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara)
WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2026, 4:00–5:30 p.m.
REGISTER: https://cec.pub/CF-june2026

Hosted by CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club, Climate Fridays brings together climate advocates, students, partners, and neighbors for conversation, learning, and collective action. 💙

Movement, reflection, and creative writing: Join us for a night of grounding and self care. On May 26, Mollie Mendoza, ...
05/22/2026

Movement, reflection, and creative writing: Join us for a night of grounding and self care.

On May 26, Mollie Mendoza, global facilitator and founder of the Integrative Psychology Institute, will lead an evening of gentle somatic practice and creative writing at CEC's Environmental Hub. Coming off the holiday weekend, this is a the perfect way to connect with community and center yourself as you ease back into the work or school week.

Part of our A Year of Active Hope event series, this restorative Embodied Arts Workshop will begin with a somatic practice — designed to be accessible to all bodies — before moving into creative writing exercises to unlock your inner clarity.

Please bring a journal, writing utensil, and yoga mat or something comfortable to sit on. Extra blankets, paper, and pens will be available for those who need them. These workshops fill quickly. Early registration is encouraged.

🗓 Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
📍 CEC Environmental Hub, 1219 State St., Santa Barbara
👉 Register: cec.pub/writing-workshop

Oil and water don't mix, but our community bonds are strong 💚Last Friday, the 11th Annual Darcy Aston Memorial Lecture b...
05/19/2026

Oil and water don't mix, but our community bonds are strong 💚

Last Friday, the 11th Annual Darcy Aston Memorial Lecture brought together more than 100 students, community members, and environmental leaders to CEC's Hub for an important conversation on oil and water issues facing California’s Central Coast.

Moderated by UC Santa Barbara's Environmental Studies Department Chair Simone Pulver, the panel featured Environmental Defense Center's Linda Krop alongside Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Assemblymember Steve Bennett for a conversation on the history and future of our region's environmental protections.

Speakers reflected on the lasting impact of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, which led to the launch of Earth Day, the EPA, the California Coastal Commission, and major clean water protections. They also warned against restarted fossil fuel production, weakened environmental oversight, and rising climate threats. If we want to see a future with clean water and a livable climate, it's up to us to lead the way.

The evening honored Darcy Aston — UCSB Environmental Studies alumna, outdoor enthusiast, and community-builder — whose legacy continues to connect generations of environmental advocates.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important evening of learning, reflection, and community.

How we find our place in the climate movement starts with where we find joy and hope. 💚Join TEDx Santa Barbara and the C...
05/15/2026

How we find our place in the climate movement starts with where we find joy and hope. 💚

Join TEDx Santa Barbara and the Community Environmental Council (CEC) for an evening of inspiring community conversation at the TEDxSantaBarbara Salon, "Climate Action: Energized by Hope."

WHEN: Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: CEC Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara)
REGISTER: https://cec.pub/TEDx-salon-sb

Curated by CEC CEO Sigrid Wright and Bluedot Living Author Victoria Riskin, this special salon will feature empowering TED Talk screenings from leading climate voices including Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Dr. Hannah Ritchie, and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Sigrid and Victoria will lead a live conversation on what it means to practice hope and commit to showing up for the future we want to build. Join us.

We’ve come too far to go back.We’re in the final days of our Spring Appeal — and still working to reach our $75,000 goal...
05/13/2026

We’ve come too far to go back.

We’re in the final days of our Spring Appeal — and still working to reach our $75,000 goal by May 15.

Every gift is matched for a limited time.

Help us protect the progress we’ve built together.

🌱 Give now: cec.pub/appeal-spring26

🌎 We’re Hiring a Climate Programs Associate! 🌎The Associate will work on initiatives that bring renewable energy and tra...
05/07/2026

🌎 We’re Hiring a Climate Programs Associate! 🌎
The Associate will work on initiatives that bring renewable energy and transportation solutions directly to climate-impacted communities across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

We’re looking for a Climate Programs Associate to help drive projects focused on:
🚗 Expanding electric vehicle infrastructure
🚲 Advancing clean & equitable mobility
🌱 Supporting building decarbonization

Key responsibilities include:
👉 Supporting renewable energy and clean transportation initiatives
👉 Coordinating community outreach
👉 Engaging with project partners, local governments, and contractors
👉 Advancing equitable climate solutions across the Central Coast

🔗 Learn more and apply here! https://cec.pub/now_hiring

Climate progress faces real challenges, but coming together to take collective action is one of the most powerful forms ...
05/07/2026

Climate progress faces real challenges, but coming together to take collective action is one of the most powerful forms of resistance.

Join us for A Year of Active Hope — a free event series designed to bring people together when connection, action, and local leadership matter more than ever. Through panels, workshops, creative experiences, and hands-on events, this series offers opportunities to:
💚 Learn from climate leaders driving real solutions
💚 Nurture your mind, body, and spirit
💚 Gain tools to take meaningful action

Explore our May events:

✊ First Thursday with CEC and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
May 7 I 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

🌎 Repair Cafe Santa Barbara
May 9 I 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

✊ Oil and Water: Policy, Progress, and the Path Forward (Darcy Aston Memorial Lecture)
May 15 I 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

✨ Embodied Arts Workshop
May 26 I 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

✊ TEDxSantaBarbara Salon
May 27 I 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Browse events and register: cec.pub/YOAH-may

“I didn’t think an electric vehicle was possible for me.”With support from CEC, Sachi was able to navigate incentives an...
05/05/2026

“I didn’t think an electric vehicle was possible for me.”

With support from CEC, Sachi was able to navigate incentives and cut the cost of an EV nearly in half — turning something that felt out of reach into a practical, affordable option.

This is what climate action looks like on the Central Coast.

We’re working to raise $75,000 by May 15 to keep this work going — and every gift is matched.

🌱 Give now cec.pub/spring-donate26

Together, we can keep waste out of the landfill — every repair counts! ♻️Join us for the next Repair Cafe Santa Barbara...
05/04/2026

Together, we can keep waste out of the landfill — every repair counts! ♻️

Join us for the next Repair Cafe Santa Barbara on Saturday, May 9 at CEC’s Environmental Hub.

Bring up to two loved but broken items — from clothing and small appliances to bikes, furniture, and more — and work side-by-side with skilled volunteer fixers to give the items a second chance.

This isn’t a drop-off service. It’s a hands-on, learn-by-doing experience where you’ll pick up practical repair skills you can use for at-home repairs. Part of CEC's A Year of Active Hope event series, this is a unique opportunity to fix your favorite items AND activate for a more sustainable future.

🗓️ Saturday, May 9, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
📍 CEC's Environmental Hub, 1219 State St., Santa Barbara
♻️ Free and open to all
🔗 Learn more cec.pub/repair-cafe-may-2026

We’re also looking for volunteer fixers! If you're "handy" or have skills in sewing, electronics, woodworking, bike repair, etc., 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 something, enjoy a hands-on activity, and help the planet through repair! Please email [email protected] to volunteer, or with questions. We look forward to working with you!

Address

1219 State Street, Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Website

https://twitter.com/cecsb, https://youtube.com/cecsb, https://flickr.com

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