Community Environmental Council (CEC)

Last week, our community came together to put their hope for a better climate into action.

We partnered with TEDx Santa Barbara to welcome about 80 community members to The Hub for our first-ever salon-style TEDx screening. The event — Climate Action: Energized by Hope — was co-curated by CEC CEO Sigrid Wright and Victoria Riskin of Bluedot Living . Together, we explored what it means to move beyond climate fatigue and into energized, collective action.

The evening featured TED Talks from Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Dr. Hannah Ritchie, and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, paired with live facilitated discussion that connected big ideas to local momentum. Rather than a passive screening, the format centered dialogue, reflection, and community connection.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in turning hope into action. Read more about the event in the Santa Barbara Independent. https://cec.pub/TEDx-Indy

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!

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 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.

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