As the owner of Sunrise 805, a solar and energy storage company, Cody regularly discusses renewable energy, resilience, and utility costs with homeowners, and found the course invaluable for navigating those conversations with more confidence and context.

Contessa helped coordinate the Climate Action Stage at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival for her Stewardship Project, assisting with planning and managing the stage during the event. The experience gave her meaningful exposure to local climate activism and helped her build valuable connections.

Megan Kenney joined the Climate Stewards course to bridge her professional work in public health with her personal experience volunteering for environmental conservation and restoration efforts.

With a background in environmental science and a deep concern for the climate, Tatiana Bok joined the Climate Stewards Course to channel her knowledge into something hopeful, creative, and community-based.

Climate Steward alum Lauri Kamiel turned her climate anxiety into action by stepping into advocacy and education in her Thousand Oaks community.

As a professional boat captain and passionate ocean advocate, Climate Stewards alum Kyla Murphy sees the effects of climate change firsthand — from birthday balloons floating in the Santa Barbara Channel to melting glaciers in Southeast Alaska.

Moe proposed a native garden at her local park in Orange County for her Stewardship Project, aiming to support pollinators and protect local waterways from invasive species and chemical runoff.

CEC Climate Steward alumni Cody Howen and Miranda Magaña are generating momentum for a grassroots movement that’s transforming neglected urban spaces into vibrant native gardens.

For her Stewardship Project, Ada installed western bluebird nest boxes around the vineyard at Jalama Canyon Ranch, supporting native bird populations while promoting natural pest control.

Phil and Lora Clarke reject the idea that environmental advocacy sits solely on the shoulders of younger generations. 

Maureen Ellenberger, a member of the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and Ana Rico, a CEC Community Ambassador and mother of three, met in CEC’s Climate Stewards class. They became fast friends, bonding over their shared passion for empowering the next generation to become leaders of climate action.

Ron’s Stewardship Project utilized resources provided by the course to help strengthen and test his teaching methodology for UCSB undergraduates.

I'm a mother and community leader, and I'm a CEC Climate Steward.

As the Volunteer Coordinator at Santa Barbara Sea Center, located on Stearns Wharf, Dylan Otte recruits and trains volunteers to help develop their visitor stewardship and science communication skills.

Jamie Collins, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, enrolled in CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program to gain a deeper understanding of how climate change is impacting our region, how to communicate about these impacts, and how to take action.

Tracey Singh is a community activist who took CEC’s Climate Stewards course to strengthen her connections with other activists and grassroots organizations.

Arya Natarajan is a science communicator who joined CEC’s Climate Stewards course to learn more about local efforts to boost community climate resilience, and to connect with like-minded people.

Through CEC’s Climate Stewards course, alumnus Julie Schneiderman, founder and CEO of local company EcoStiks, became fascinated with climate stories and collective environmental action.

Climate Steward alum Jasmin Tupy, inspired by her work with Santa Barbara-based nonprofit Heal the Ocean, created the Santa Barbara Resource Guide for her Stewardship Project.

CEC Climate Steward alumni Emiliano Campobello, a professional artist, and Claire Fackler, National Education Liaison for the National Ocean Atmospheric Association (NOAA), are collaborating on a forty-foot-long mural depicting the Central California coastline, to be displayed at Adams Elementary School.

After taking CEC’s Climate Stewards course in 2023, Jessica Prichard, senior manager of school and community programs at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, launched a field-trip program called “Champions for Change: Environmental Stewards Unite!”

Gunnar’s role as a political staffer impacts the entire State of California, but is shaped by the issues affecting the 37th Assembly District, which spans all of Santa Barbara County and the southernmost portion of San Luis Obispo County. Gunnar is a liaison between constituents and the state, helping individuals access resources and ensuring their voices are heard.

CEC Climate Steward alumni Claire Fackler, National Education Liaison for the National Ocean Atmospheric Association (NOAA), and Emiliano Campobello, a professional artist, are collaborating on a forty-foot-long mural depicting the Central California coastline, to be displayed at Adams Elementary School.

Climate Steward alum and Lompoc resident Laurie Mohning is teaching people how to take small “bites” out of “the elephant in the room”: plastic waste. Her Stewardship Project evolved into a podcast called The Plastic Elephant, designed to provide tips for people on how to reduce the amount of plastic that they put into the waste stream.

Climate Steward alum Dass Richardson used the principles she learned from the course to spread awareness about the importance of native pollinators.

CEC Climate Steward alum Christina Hernandez leveraged what she learned in the course to create bilingual educational resources about climate change for youth and families.

Maureen Ellenberger, a member of the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and Ana Rico, a CEC Community Ambassador and mother of three, met in CEC’s Climate Stewards class. They became fast friends, bonding over their shared passion for empowering the next generation to become leaders of climate action.

Johnny Alonzo, a restoration ecologist at UCSB, participated in CEC’s first-ever cohort of Climate Stewards. For his Stewardship Project he designed a comic-book-themed app called “Enviro Hero” that encourages eco-friendly actions to earn points redeemable for rewards such as discounts at environmentally minded businesses.

A busy mother of two, Lisa’s career was centered on community outreach and government relations for the natural resources industry. As messages about climate change became increasingly alarming, she wanted to do something, even if it meant jeopardizing her career.