Upcoming events.
Application Assistance: Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
If you want to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of incentives offered through the California Drive Clean Assistance Program. The application process can be intimidating, but CEC is here to help!
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Turtle Walker
In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India's coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries surrounding these enigmatic ocean creatures – and sets out to save them from extinction. After a devastating tsunami strikes in 2004, Bhaskar grapples with a pressing question: What happens to sea turtles when their nesting beaches disappear? Introduction by director Taira Malaney
How To Live Simply and Sustainably with Robin Greenfield
Join truth seeker, activist, and social reformer Robin Greenfield as he shares reflections from his radical experiment living in Los Angeles with no money and only a few borrowed items. Now three months into his non-ownership journey, Robin is going on tour, inviting us to join him in questioning consumer culture, reconnecting with the Earth, and exploring more intentional ways of living. Co-hosted by CEC, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage with one of today’s boldest voices in sustainability and hear about his immersive experience firsthand
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
An Evening of Wild Hope
The PBS series Wild Hope spotlights changemakers around the world who are restoring our Earth and reimagining our relationship with nature. Through captivating storytelling, episodes explore bold solutions and collaborations, showcase nature’s resilience, and spark renewed hope for the future of our planet. We invite you to join us for special screenings and an evening of inspiration, emceed by local author and Pullitzer Prize winner Ed Humes.
Application Assistance: Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
If you want to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of incentives offered through the California Drive Clean Assistance Program. The application process can be intimidating, but CEC is here to help!
Environmental Justice Through Grassroots Activism
Join us for a conversation with grassroots activists about their on-the-ground efforts in the fight for environmental justice. MiniNature Reserve Founder Diego Magaña and Climate Corps Fellow Solimar Gutierrez will share their insights on creating impactful change in Oxnard and surrounding underserved communities. Topics will include grassroots activism, guerrilla gardening, and food sovereignty.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Application Assistance: Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
If you want to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of incentives offered through the California Drive Clean Assistance Program. The application process can be intimidating, but CEC is here to help!
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Application Assistance: Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
If you want to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of incentives offered through the California Drive Clean Assistance Program. The application process can be intimidating, but CEC is here to help!
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Application Assistance: Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
If you want to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of incentives offered through the California Drive Clean Assistance Program. The application process can be intimidating, but CEC is here to help!
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Prof Slam - All Gaucho Reunion
Join us for this All Gaucho Reunion signature event features lightning lectures from six talented UC Santa Barbara faculty. This fast-paced event challenges faculty to present their cutting-edge research in just three minutes. Expect fascinating insights, engaging storytelling and a whole lot of fun as complex ideas are made simple and entertaining for all.
Regenerative Agriculture: Building Soil Health & Climate Resilience
This event will explore how regenerative practices—such as cover cropping, composting, agroforestry, and holistic grazing—are transforming agriculture to enhance soil health, boost biodiversity, and increase climate resilience. Whether you're a farmer, land steward, policymaker, or simply curious about sustainable food systems, this is your chance to learn from leading voices in the movement.
Environmental Justice Through Grassroots Activism
This event has been postponed until May 29, 2025.
Join us for a conversation with grassroots activists about their on-the-ground efforts in the fight for environmental justice. MiniNature Reserve Founder Diego Magaña and Climate Corps Fellow Solimar Gutierrez will share their insights on creating impactful change in Oxnard and surrounding underserved communities. Topics will include grassroots activism, guerrilla gardening, and food sovereignty.
Earth Days: The Origin of the Environmental Movement
Join us for a look back at the local origin of the Earth Day movement, how it seeded an environmental revolution, and lessons learned for movement building today. Enjoy clips from "Earth Days," a documentary film about the history of the environmental movement in the United States, followed by a panel discussion featuring Santa Barbara Earth Day activists Sharyn Main and Denis Hayes, and CEC CEO and former Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival director Sigrid Wright.
Discover a Better Way to Recycle Plastics with Ridwell (5:30 pm)
Join us to celebrate the launch of Ridwell, a new service that keeps hard-to-recycle plastics — like snack wrappers and plastic packaging — out of landfills. Ridwell has already empowered over 110,000 households to recycle and reuse more effectively, and now they’re bringing their innovative solution to communities like Santa Barbara.
Discover a Better Way to Recycle Plastics with Ridwell (3:00 pm)
Join us to celebrate the launch of Ridwell, a new service that keeps hard-to-recycle plastics — like snack wrappers and plastic packaging — out of landfills. Ridwell has already empowered over 110,000 households to recycle and reuse more effectively, and now they’re bringing their innovative solution to communities like Santa Barbara.
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Application Assistance: Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
If you want to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell vehicle, now is the time to take advantage of incentives offered through the California Drive Clean Assistance Program. The application process can be intimidating, but CEC is here to help!
Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Monthly Gathering
The Santa Barbara Sierra Club Group is part of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, covering Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For 75 years the Santa Barbara Group has been working to protect wildlife and wildlands, clean air and water, public health, a sustainable future and a healthy environment across the Santa Barbara region.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Youth Climate Workshop - Sustainable Fashion
In this workshop, we'll focus on the impacts of the fashion industry and what we can do to lighten our footprint. Come meet local experts and enjoy fun activities!
"Do I Need This?" Film Screening and Discussion
Join us for the Santa Barbara premiere of "Do I Need This?," an acclaimed documentary about consumerism, excess, and the stuff from which happiness is truly made. The screening of the film will be followed by a panel discussion. This event is co-hosted by CEC and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club.
An Evening with Brian McLaren - Life After Doom
Join Way Collective for an evening with spirituality, activism, and climate crisis author Brian McLaren
Energy Equity: Pathways to a Green Economy on the Central Coast
Join us for an evening with climate and environmental justice author and researcher Dr. J. Mijin Cha. Dr. Cha will share her research on the intersection of inequality and the climate crisis and how we can advance a more just future. Following her talk, she will be joined in conversation by Dr. David Pellow to discuss her new book, "A Just Transition for All: Workers and Communities for a Carbon-Free Future."
Dr. Cha is an assistant professor of environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz, an advisory board member of the UC Santa Cruz Center for Labor and Community, and a fellow at Cornell University's Climate Jobs Institute and at the Climate and Community Institute. Dr. Pellow is a UC Santa Barbara Dehlsen Chair and Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Global Environmental Justice Project. This event is co-hosted by CEC, the Central Coast Climate Justice Network and the UC Santa Barbara Community Labor Center.
"Broke" Film Screening and Panel
This event has been cancelled due to weather. Ten years ago, a pipeline ruptured near Refugio State Beach, spilling over 100,000 gallons of crude oil into the ocean and contaminating one of the most biologically diverse areas on the California Central Coast. Join us for a screening of "Broke," a film that vividly captures the Refugio Oil Spill, followed by a discussion with local experts about the current proposal to restart the pipeline that caused the spill. This event is co-hosted by CEC and the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara.
Climate Fridays Santa Barbara
Join CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to gather with fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends.
Blue Economy Summit
This half-day Blue Economy Innovation Summit is hosted by Santa Barbara’s new Ocean Collective initiative, led by Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara. The summit will bring together academic researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives from our region's blue economy, including sustainable fishing, aquaculture, coastal conservation, renewable ocean energy and blue tech, to brainstorm new collaborative R&D projects that could build resilience and accelerate growth for our region’s blue economy.
"Raging Waters" Film and Panel Discussion
Join us for a screening of the film "Raging Waters: The Devastating Power of Floods" followed by a discussion with local experts about managing increasing flooding events and threats. This event is co-hosted by CEC, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara, and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara Earth Advocates.
Environmental Film Series: Chasing Carbon Zero
Join CEC, Citizens' Climate Lobby, and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara Earth Advocates for a screening of "Chasing Carbon Zero," a NOVA documentary that explores the race to Net Zero by 2050. Following the film, hear from LEED-certified architect Dennis Thompson and renewable energy expert Craig Lewis about how we can get to Net Zero by electrifying our cars and homes, and adopting renewable energy, and the challenges that lie ahead. Audience questions and discussion welcome. Light snacks provided. This event is co-hosted by CEC.
An Evening with Climate Expert and National Security Advisor Sherri Goodman
Join CEC, UC Santa Barbara, and the City of Santa Barbara for a discussion with climate expert and National Security Advisor Sherri Goodman. Moderated by Dr. Leah Stokes, the conversation will center on climate change and national security: how military leaders’ thinking has evolved, what contingency plans they have, and where they see conflict coming next. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase Goodman’s new book, Threat Multiplier, detailing the inside story of the military’s fight for global security, a tale that is as hopeful as it is harrowing. CEC is a co-host of this event.
Central Coast Town Hall & Green Drinks
Join the Central Coast Green Business Council (CCGBC) for a fun and informative town hall meeting at CEC's Environmental Hub. Now a member of the U.S. Green Building Council California, a nonprofit advocating for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable built environment in California, CCGBC is set to supercharge the green building movement. Grab a drink and a snack, and get all your questions answered. Together, we’ll ensure that the Central Coast and all of California have a voice in creating a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for everyone. CEC is a co-host of this event. Learn more and register.
CEC Youth Climate Workshop
Sixth through twelfth grade students are invited to join CEC for a workshop that explores ways we can communicate climate change through advocacy. In this workshop, we'll cover:
Zine-crafting focused on climate and policy
How to talk with elected officials
How to advocate for causes you believe in
Meet local elected officials and network with other young people who are inspired to take climate action. Snacks and beverages provided. Learn more and register.
Living With Fire Summit
Community Environmental Council and UCSB's California NanoSystems Institute are hosting the Living with Fire Summit.
At this summit, presenters will share progress, successes, and challenges of wildfire resilience projects at various stages in our region, as well as future opportunities for innovation.
This summit will:
Inspire new, innovative wildfire resilience research projects and collaborations
Foster connections to provide “real world” feedback and broaden adoption of resilience efforts
Educate agencies on the wildfire resilience projects currently underway and in need of investment
Develop a shared understanding of the policy and technology gaps that need to close in order to advance wildfire resilience
Enhance understanding of the nuances and complexities of wildfire and its impact and importance in each area of government activity
By understanding the systems and infrastructure our wildfire resilience efforts are built on, we can adapt and innovate to better live with fire.
This event is funded by the State of California's 2022 Climate Action Initiative and is a part of Santa Barbara County Wildfire Resilience Collaborative.
Second Life: Building Community around Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in the California Desert
This event comprises a series of presentations followed by a panel discussion analyzing the impact of preservation and adaptive reuse projects in the California desert. These projects not only extend the lifespan of architecturally significant structures but also, more significantly, foster public commitment to preserving and celebrating the region’s modern built identity—a dedication that stands out prominently in the area.
ArchitecTours
Join the American Institute of Architects, Santa Barbara for their 15th annual ArchitecTours, a celebration of exceptional local architecture, showcasing the design and depth of knowledge of AIASB architects. This year’s tour will include several unique residences: a modern ranch style home in Hope Ranch, a timeless masterpiece overlooking Santa Barbara, a contemporary residence on the Mesa, and a modern home that kept preservation and sustainability in mind. In addition, tour-goers will also have the opportunity to visit the Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub, the first of it’s kind. All projects on the tour demonstrate the beauty of Santa Barbara’s signature indoor-outdoor lifestyle and the diversity of our built environment. Learn more and register.
Santa Barbara Event Professionals Networking Mixer
Join us for an exclusive Industry Night for non-profit event planners, vendors, and partners at our Environmental Hub.
Stronger State Street
Join us for presentations by Strong Towns Santa Barbara members on the mobility, architectural, and economic considerations for redesigning the heart of Santa Barbara
The Case for Degrowth: Alternative Economics for Sustainable Futures
Giorgos Kallis is an ecological economist and political ecologist working on environmental justice and limits to growth.
"Just the Beginning: A Century of Political Power and the League of Women Voters" Film Screening
August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, celebrating the date the 19th Amendment was certified.