Explore Ecology

Explore Ecology Explore Ecology empowers our community to protect and preserve the planet with innovative environmental education and nature-based learning.

Explore Ecology is an environmental education and arts nonprofit located in Santa Barbara, California. We work with over 30,000 children a year with a focus on Watershed Education, School Gardens, Waste Reduction, and Creative Exploration. Our programs combine art and ecology to foster creative thinking and connection between people and the environment. Our work inspires children to engage with th

e natural world, think critically, and experience the value of environmental stewardship. Explore Ecology's programs include the Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store and Gallery, the Watershed Resource Center, Environmental Education, Art and Nature Exploration Summer Camps, and the School Gardens Program.

♻️ Take action for a cleaner Central Coast this summer! 🌎Join us at the 5th Annual Plastic-Free Expo on Thursday, June 2...
06/25/2026

♻️ Take action for a cleaner Central Coast this summer! 🌎

Join us at the 5th Annual Plastic-Free Expo on Thursday, June 25, from 6:30–8:00 PM at the CEC Environmental Hub (1219 State Street, Santa Barbara).

Discover practical ways to reduce waste, rethink single-use plastics, and build a more sustainable future. Connect with local environmental organizations and businesses, enjoy family-friendly activities and face painting, learn about reuse and repair solutions, and enter to win eco-friendly prizes!

Thanks to our friends at Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper for organizing and hosting this important event!

Space is limited, so RSVP today!

🔗 Register here: https://cec.pub/plasticfree-2026

We look forward to seeing you there and working together for a healthier, less wasteful future.

🌱 Dig into family fun in the garden this Friday, June 26, from11 am–12 pm! 🌱Join Explore Ecology and the Santa Barbara P...
06/24/2026

🌱 Dig into family fun in the garden this Friday, June 26, from
11 am–12 pm! 🌱

Join Explore Ecology and the Santa Barbara Public Library for a free, hands-on Family Garden Exploration class at Franklin Elementary School's culinary garden.

Designed for children and their caregivers, this interactive program introduces gardening and garden vocabulary through fun activities that encourage learning and connection with nature.

🌿 Best for children ages 5 and up (younger siblings are welcome!)
📍 Meet at the entrance to the Franklin Garden on Soledad Street
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Participation is limited to 20 children accompanied by their adults

Classes will be held on Fridays, 6/26, 7/10, 7/17, and 7/24.

For more info: https://calendar.library.santabarbaraca.gov/event/family-garden-exploration-28957

🧵✂️ Join us for an afternoon of Sewing & Mending in the EE Makerspace and learn how to repair your clothes or sew someth...
06/24/2026

🧵✂️ Join us for an afternoon of Sewing & Mending in the EE Makerspace and learn how to repair your clothes or sew something entirely new.

Whether you're patching a tear, hemming, or looking for guidance on a sewing project, our supportive staff and volunteers will help every step of the way.

📅 June 25
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
💲 $15
👕 Ages 13+

Enjoy an afternoon of skill-building and community at Sewing and Mending.

Reserve your spot today!

https://exploreecology.org/event/daytime-sewing-and-mending-club-6/

🚀🌱🎨 Looking for a creative way to spend summer afternoons?Our STEAM series in the EE Makerspace offers hands-on classes ...
06/23/2026

🚀🌱🎨 Looking for a creative way to spend summer afternoons?

Our STEAM series in the EE Makerspace offers hands-on classes that combine science, technology, engineering, art, and math with plenty of creativity and exploration.

📅 Tuesdays | 4:00 PM–5:30 PM
💲 $30 per class
👧🏼 Ages 6–12

Themes include:

🌿 June 23: Let It Grow
✈️ June 30: Airborne Adventures
🪐 July 7: Groovy Gravity
🎨 July 14: Calming Collage
🚗 July 21: Toys on the Move

From building and experimenting to creating and discovering, every class is packed with opportunities to learn and have fun!

Sign Up: https://exploreecology.org/event/summer-steam-in-the-ee-makerspace/

🌿 It's not too late for your preschooler to join the fun! 🌿Join us on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the EE Maker...
06/22/2026

🌿 It's not too late for your preschooler to join the fun! 🌿

Join us on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the EE Makerspace for hands-on exploration and creativity designed especially for children ages 3–5 and their caregivers.

Upcoming themes include:

🌱 June 23: Building and Engineering
Build bridges, towers, and fairy houses while discovering how nature works together.

🦋 June 30: Sensory Exploration
Scoop, pour, sift, and sniff your way through a rich sensory experience.

🥁 July 7: Nature's Rhythm
Explore sound and rhythm using natural materials.

Cost: $25 per class

Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot: https://exploreecology.org/event/preschool-nature-explorers-2/

🌱🥕 More than three tons of fresh food! 🥕🌱During the 2025–2026 school year, an incredible 6,722 pounds of organic produce...
06/21/2026

🌱🥕 More than three tons of fresh food! 🥕🌱

During the 2025–2026 school year, an incredible 6,722 pounds of organic produce were harvested in Explore Ecology's school gardens - that's more than three tons of fresh fruits and vegetables grown and enjoyed in schools across Santa Barbara County!

From 844 pounds of pumpkins to 762 pounds of tomatoes, these harvests represent so much more than impressive numbers. Thousands of students had the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest, and taste fresh produce while learning where their food comes from and developing a deeper connection to the natural world.

🎉 A special shout-out to our Lompoc Garden Educators and students, whose gardens produced more than 2,603 pounds of fresh food this year!

Thank you to our amazing Garden Educators, school partners, volunteers, and students for making this incredible harvest possible!

🎉 We’re excited to host the first official Santa Barbara Creative Mornings gathering in the EE Makerspace!Everyone is cr...
06/21/2026

🎉 We’re excited to host the first official Santa Barbara Creative Mornings gathering in the EE Makerspace!

Everyone is creative. Everyone is welcome.

📅 June 26
⏰ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Join us for a morning of connection and inspiration as we learn about an exciting new opportunity for Santa Barbara’s creative community.

Whether you're an artist, crafter, designer, writer, filmmaker, or someone who loves creativity, this is a wonderful chance to meet like-minded people and help shape a vibrant new network. We can't wait to meet you!

Spaces are limited; please register today!

https://exploreecology.org/event/creative-mornings/

Welcome to the longest day of the year! ☀️The 2026 Summer Solstice arrives this Sunday, June 21st, marking the start of ...
06/19/2026

Welcome to the longest day of the year! ☀️

The 2026 Summer Solstice arrives this Sunday, June 21st, marking the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere as the sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky.

Art From Scrap and the EE Makerspace will be closed on Saturday, June 20th. Please note that downtown road closures and heavy traffic are expected near our location. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back during our regular hours next week.

Wishing our community a wonderful, fun-filled season ahead.

Happy Summer Solstice! ☀️🌻

06/19/2026

Happy Summer from our Garden team! 🏖️

This year a total of 6,723 pounds of organic produce was eaten by students across 38 school sites throughout Santa Barbara County 🥕🍎🥬

We look forward to seeing you next year 👋!

06/19/2026

🌱 Summer Break? Not for School Gardens!

Ever wonder what happens to school gardens during the summer? While students are away, our Garden Educators are busy keeping gardens healthy and beautiful.

This week, some of our team got together at Isla Vista Elementary to re-do a compost bin and to spread lots and lots of mulch!

What do you think of this before-and-after transformation? 🌿✨

#805

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302 E Cota Street
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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