Community Environmental Council (CEC) 🌍 California Environmental Nonprofit

🐬 Join our monthly Climate Fridays Santa Barbara event this Friday, April 3, to take a deep dive into the proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) off of California's Central Coast. Three local ocean experts will walk us through why MPAs are essential to a thriving ocean, how California's existing MPA network is performing, and how our community can take action to help expand it. We'll hear from: 🌊 Azsha Hudson – Marine Conservation Analyst, Environmental Defense Center 🌊 Isabella Sullivan – Next Wave Ocean Fellow, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) 🌊 Eva Pagaling, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Member and Founder and Director, Ocean Origins 🌊 Lennon Thomas – Senior Project Scientist, Environmental Markets Lab (emLab), UC Santa Barbara More about the event: When: April 3, 4 - 5:30 p.m. Where: CEC's Environmental Hub, 1219 State Street Who: Hosted by CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Chapter 🐠 RSVP here and take the plunge into ocean action! https://lnkd.in/gJ8AcPmR ⚓ When the world around us feels stormy, community is our anchor. Climate Fridays Santa Barbara is where neighbors, students, leaders, and activists come together to feel more connected, explore local climate challenges, and move toward collective action. Climate Fridays Santa Barbara are part of our a Year of Active Hope event series and an opportunity to activate for change.

Before you toss it — ask yourself: could it be fixed? Stop replacing and start repairing — join us for our next Repair Cafe Santa Barbara. It's a free event where our talented team of volunteer fixers help you repair the things you love instead of sending them to the landfill. ♻️ Bring up to two broken items, such as worn-out clothes, small appliances, toys, electronics, bikes, or furniture. You'll take part in the repair process, giving your item a second life while learning practical skills you can use again and again for at-home fixes. 🧰 🛠️ Be sure to arrive early as spots fill up quickly — and enjoy refreshments and entertainment while you wait. Where: CEC Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara) When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost: Free Register: https://lnkd.in/gEzpG9-7 A part of CEC's A Year of Active Hope event series, this is a chance to activate for a cleaner future, empowering our community to take hands-on steps to reduce waste, share skills, and create change together. 

When we dance together, we feel more connected to ourselves, each other, and the Earth. ✨ Shake off the stress of the week and come move with us at the 5Rhythms® Dance Experience Embodied Arts Workshop, part of CEC’s A Year of Active Hope event series. Guided by 5Rhythms® teacher Kiaora Fox, who brings more than 20 years of teaching experience, this immersive workshop invites you to dance freely, follow your intuition, and reconnect with your body in a safe and welcoming space. Through guided movement and exploration, we’ll tap into rhythm as a tool to center the body, empower the mind, and reenergize the spirit. Whether you're brand new to dance or a lifelong mover, KiaOra’s compassionate and grounded facilitation allows everyone to explore at their own pace. Spots are limited — early registration is encouraged. When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Where: CEC’s Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara) Cost: Free Register: cec.pub/5rhythms-workshop

🌱 Come work with us! 🌱 CEC is hiring a Climate Smart Agriculture Program Manager to lead innovative projects that expand regenerative farming, reduce carbon emissions, and build climate resilience across the Central Coast. In this role, you’ll work directly with farmers, ranchers, land managers, and technical partners to design and scale real-world climate solutions. You’ll also mentor emerging professionals and help grow partnerships with local governments, advocates, and funders across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Who we’re looking for: • 2+ years experience in agriculture, environmental work, or policy • Strong project management skills • A people-centered leader who enjoys collaboration and mentorship • Bachelor’s required (Master’s preferred) This is a full-time, salaried position based in Santa Barbara (hybrid schedule). Apply today or share with someone who should! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gzNcEWa4

Santa Barbara County — speak up for environmental justice! 📣 Low-income communities and communities of color are often hit hardest by pollution, climate hazards, and resources inequalities. Santa Barbara County is updating its Environmental Justice (EJ) Element, and your voice is critical to ensure it truly protects vulnerable residents. On Tuesday, March 10, stand with us in urging the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to modify its EJ Element to address all the environmental burdens our communities face. 👥 Attend in person: Join us at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 9 a.m. at the Betteravia Government Center (Board Hearing Room 511, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA) to advocate for a more robust EJ Element that is enforceable, measurable, and responsive to resident feedback. 💻 Join via Zoom: Provide public comment or listen in virtually. Access the Zoom link in the March 10 meeting agenda packet or visit the link below. 📩 Email your Comments: Send your input to sbcob@countyofsb.org by Monday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. Request expanded community engagement to ensure the EJ Element reflects the voices and needs of vulnerable residents. Learn more about the draft EJ Element and find talking points, the meeting agenda, zoom link, and other resources here: https://lnkd.in/gcJbPgCj ✊ 💚 Together, we can ensure Santa Barbara County delivers real environmental justice for all. #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateAction #SantaBarbara 

When climate challenges feel all-consuming, we have the power to respond with action. 🌼 Join us next Thursday for environmental success stories from the PBS series Wild Hope — documenting how innovative solutions and bold changemakers are helping our planet rebound and recover. We’ll travel from Singapore’s “City in Nature,” where urban life coexists with wildlife habitats, to Elkhorn Slough, where sea otters are making a remarkable recovery. Bre Sliker and The Nature Conservancy’s Phoebe Racine will share local insights on biodiversity and wetland restoration to connect these global themes back to Santa Barbara. Don't miss this evening of optimism, inspiration, and community — a part of CEC's A Year of Active Hope event series. When: Thursday, March 12, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Where: CEC’s Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara) Cost: Free Register: cec.pub/wild-hope-2026

How we care for the land shapes the health, resilience, and biodiversity of our entire region. 🌱 This Friday, Climate Fridays Santa Barbara is shining a spotlight on local land conservation in action. Hosted by CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, this gathering will explore how land-based nonprofits collaborate to protect regional ecosystems, advance climate policy, and create opportunities for community action. Eric Cardenas, Director of Impact and Advocacy at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, will moderate a panel of local conservation leaders, including: 🌳 Meredith Hendricks, Executive Director, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County 🌳 Melissa Baffa, Executive Director, Ventura Land Trust 🌳 Candice Meneghin, Executive Director, Coastal Ranches Conservancy Part of CEC’s A Year of Active Hope, this event is a chance to learn, get inspired, and activate for a more sustainable future. When: Friday, March 6, 2026 from 4:00–5:30 PM Where: CEC's Environmental Hub, 1219 State St., Santa Barbara Cost: Free Register: cec.pub/CFSB-March2026

📣 Goleta — get ready to experience the world of electric vehicles! ⚡ Join us March 14 for a free EV Ride & Drive event to: 🚘 Test drive all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles 🚘 Explore resources and learn about state and local incentives that can make an EV more affordable 🚘 Enjoy food from local vendors 👋 Find us at the event! CEC is offering in-person EV guidance and personalized help with EV incentive applications. 🎟️ Clean Air Vehicle Ride & Drive details: When: Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Where: Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Ave.) Cost: FREE What to bring: Your driver's license and your curiosity! If you want help with the Driving Clean Assistance Program application, bring your most recent tax returns, current vehicle title, and vehicle registration as well. ⭐ BONUS: When you test drive an EV at the event, you'll get a free meal and be entered to win a $200 VISA gift card. Save time at the Ride & Drive check-in — complete your waiver in advance: https://lnkd.in/gc8BAvmJ Fill out the DCAP application assistance registration form for support with incentives: https://lnkd.in/gFzUnrZx 📣 Goleta — ¡prepárate para descubrir el mundo de los vehículos eléctricos! ⚡ Únete a nosotros el 14 de marzo en el Goleta Ride and Drive para: 🚘 Conducir vehículos totalmente eléctricos e híbridos enchufables. 🚘 Explorar recursos e informarte sobre los incentivos estatales y locales que pueden hacer que un vehículo eléctrico sea más económico. 🚘 Disfrutar de comida de vendedores locales. 👋 ¡Encuéntranos en el evento! CEC ofrecerá orientación presencial sobre vehículos eléctricos y ayuda personalizada con las solicitudes de incentivos para vehículos eléctricos. 🎟️ Detalles del «Clean Air Vehicle Ride & Drive»: Cuándo: Sábado 14 de marzo, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Dónde: Centro comunitario de Goleta (5679 Hollister Ave.) Costo: GRATIS Qué traer: ¡Su licencia de conducir y su curiosidad! Si necesita ayuda con la solicitud del Programa de Asistencia para Conducir Limpio (DCAP), lleve también sus declaraciones de impuestos más recientes, el título actual del vehículo y el registro del vehículo. ⭐ BONO: Si conduces un vehículo eléctrico en el evento, disfrutarás de una comida gratis y participarás en el sorteo de una tarjeta de regalo VISA de $200. Ahorra tiempo en el registro del Ride & Drive y completa tu formulario de exención: https://lnkd.in/gc8BAvmJ Rellene el registro de asistencia para la aplicación del DCAP para obtener ayuda con los incentivos: https://lnkd.in/gFzUnrZx

Last Friday, community members gathered at CEC's Environmental Hub for a sold-out evening with Captain Charles Moore, co-hosted by CEC and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. ⛵️ An oceanographer and leading voice on plastic pollution, Capt. Moore first encountered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997 while sailing across the Pacific — a discovery that transformed global awareness of ocean plastic. During this intimate Q&A, Capt. Moore reflected on the path that led him to establish Algalita Marine Research and Education and the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, sharing insights from his groundbreaking microplastics research and decades of ocean advocacy. The evening also featured a compelling documentary screening by the Korean Broadcasting System highlighting the scale and far-reaching impacts of plastic pollution. Thank you to everyone who showed up eager to engage, learn, and be part of the conversation. Stay tuned for upcoming events in our A Year of Active Hope series, where we’ll continue creating opportunities to get inspired, spark joy, and take meaningful action for our planet. 🌊 Browse other events: cecsb.org/events

Gathering with community is vital during moments of chaos. 💛 Join us tomorrow for the Community Song Circle, co-hosted by CEC and led by Santa Barbara Community Song Leader, Heather Stevenson. 🎶 This uplifting evening of music, connection, and shared expression is part of the Embodied Arts Workshop Series and welcomes singers of all levels — no experience necessary. We’ll learn simple, powerful songs by ear that highlight our human connection to the Earth and experience the joy of raising our voices together. This event is part of A Year of Active Hope, a series of free CEC events that spark joy and help us move forward with hope and courage. When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Where: CEC's Environmental Hub, 1219 State St., Santa Barbara RSVP: cec.pub/song-circle-feb24