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.

☀️ SUMMER CREATIVE FUN FOR KIDS! ☀️Looking for engaging, hands-on activities to keep your kids creating and learning thi...
05/31/2026

☀️ SUMMER CREATIVE FUN FOR KIDS! ☀️

Looking for engaging, hands-on activities to keep your kids creating and learning this summer? Join Explore Ecology for two incredible workshop series inside the EE Makerspace!

🌿 Preschool Nature Explorers (Ages 3–5 + Caregivers)🌿

When: Tuesdays, June 9 – June 30 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am

The Vibe: Cozy storytime followed by interactive, nature-inspired activities led by Garden Explorers Coordinator Stephanie Soicher. Themes include Nature Art, Building & Engineering, Sensory Play, and Nature’s Rhythm!

Cost: $100 for the 4-week series.

Sign Up: https://exploreecology.org/event/preschool-nature-explorers/

🚀 Summer STEAM Workshops (Ages 6–12)🚀

When: Tuesdays, June 16 – July 21 | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

The Vibe: Imagination meets engineering! Co-led by credentialed elementary teacher and Creative Reuse Program Coordinator Melissa Dodos and EE Makerspace Coordinator Andrew Baker. Weekly themes include Animal Kingdoms, Airborne Adventures, Groovy Gravity, and Toys on the Move!

Cost: $150 for the entire 6-week series.

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

From the library to the garden! 📚➡️🌱 Look at this incredible rainbow of seeds!We are incredibly grateful to the Santa Ba...
05/30/2026

From the library to the garden! 📚➡️🌱 Look at this incredible rainbow of seeds!

We are incredibly grateful to the Santa Barbara Public Library for this amazing donation and to Vlada’s Seeds of Life for donating the seeds to the library! We’ve had a wonderful time organizing them, and we look forward to sharing this abundance with thousands of students at school gardens throughout Santa Barbara County.

💚 Partnerships like this are what keep our 38 school gardens thriving.

Get ready, pollinators, some beautiful new habitats are on the way! 🐝

Get ready for Saturday morning art adventures bursting with color and crafty fun! Join us tomorrow, May 30th, from 10:00...
05/29/2026

Get ready for Saturday morning art adventures bursting with color and crafty fun! Join us tomorrow, May 30th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the EE Makerspace above Art From Scrap for Crafternoons.

Cost: $8 per person.

Crafternoons offer fun creative projects every week for kids ages 5 and up.

Grown ups stay and play- adults must remain with their child during the workshop. (We use hot glue guns and the Makerspace is upstairs.)

We can’t wait to see you in the EE Makerspace!

https://exploreecology.org/event/crafternoons-for-kids-32/

🖼️ Creative Framing Workshop⁠📅 June 5 | 6:00–8:00 pm⁠📍 EE Makerspace above Art From Scrap⁠⁠Transform an ordinary frame i...
05/27/2026

🖼️ Creative Framing Workshop⁠
📅 June 5 | 6:00–8:00 pm⁠
📍 EE Makerspace above Art From Scrap⁠
⁠
Transform an ordinary frame into a work of art! Learn how to enhance a frame or mat by painting it, adding artistic effects, or decorating with fabric, shells, and other creative materials. Bring in an item you’d like to frame and get personalized tips and inspiration.⁠
⁠
Pricing:⁠
✨ General: $40⁠
✨ Student/Educator: $35⁠
⁠
Ages 13+⁠
⁠
Give your treasured pieces a frame as unique as they are on Friday, June 5th, in the EE Makerspace.
⁠
https://exploreecology.org/event/creative-framing/

Art From Scrap is closed today in honor of Memorial Day. 🇺🇸Donations will be accepted next Monday from 11:00 am to 4:00 ...
05/25/2026

Art From Scrap is closed today in honor of Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

Donations will be accepted next Monday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

We hope you are having a safe and restful holiday weekend! ♻️✨

We'll be open tomorrow for our regular business hours: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. (Note: Our next regular donation day will be next Monday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.)

🖼️ Creative Framing Workshop📅 June 5 | 6:00–8:00 pm📍 EE Makerspace above Art From ScrapTransform an ordinary frame into ...
05/24/2026

🖼️ Creative Framing Workshop
📅 June 5 | 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 EE Makerspace above Art From Scrap

Transform an ordinary frame into a work of art! Learn how to enhance a frame or mat by painting it, adding artistic effects, or decorating with fabric, shells, and other creative materials. Bring in an item you’d like to frame and get personalized tips and inspiration.

Pricing:
✨ General: $40
✨ Student/Educator: $35

Ages 13+

Come get creative and give your treasured pieces a frame as unique as they are!

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

Students at Goleta Family School got creative in garden class by making beautiful botanical print bookmarks with cyanoty...
05/23/2026

Students at Goleta Family School got creative in garden class by making beautiful botanical print bookmarks with cyanotype paper! 🌿☀️

Using flowers, leaves, and sunlight, students explored the magic of nature and art while creating one-of-a-kind prints with Garden Educator Anya.

The bookmarks will always remind students of their gorgeous school garden! 💙📚

These beautiful garden signs started as an art project created by second graders in Garden Educator Courtney's class! 🌿🎨...
05/20/2026

These beautiful garden signs started as an art project created by second graders in Garden Educator Courtney's class! 🌿🎨

After seeing their work, the IB Coordinator transformed their artwork into signs for the school garden. We love how they turned out!

These are just two examples, but each one is full of creativity and care for the garden space.🌱

It’s always so special to see student artwork celebrated beyond the classroom and become part of a space that the whole school community can enjoy. 💚

🧵 Daytime Sewing & Mending Club📅 May 28🕐 1:00 pm–3:00 pm📍 EE Makerspace💲 $15 | Ages 13+Have a sewing project sitting unf...
05/19/2026

🧵 Daytime Sewing & Mending Club

📅 May 28
🕐 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
📍 EE Makerspace
💲 $15 | Ages 13+

Have a sewing project sitting unfinished? Need help repairing a favorite piece of clothing? Want to learn new sewing and mending skills in a welcoming, creative space?

Join us for our Daytime Sewing & Mending Club at the EE Makerspace!

Pre-registration is required, so secure your spot today. We can’t wait to see what you create! ✨

Register Here:
https://exploreecology.org/event/daytime-sewing-and-mending-club-5/

05/19/2026

We want to extend a HUGE thank you to for awarding us the Whale Tail Grant this past year! 🐋

This support has helped us expand our watershed education programming in powerful ways — from partnering with to bring local students out onto the Santa Barbara Channel for unforgettable ocean learning experiences, to redesigning signage at the South Coast Watershed Resource Center to better connect our community with local watershed resources.

We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to inspire the next generation of coastal stewards and deepen our community’s connection to our coastline.🌊

Address

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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