Join the Community Environmental Council (CEC), the UC Santa Barbara Environmental Studies Program, and the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) for a discussion around the risks of oil extraction and the ongoing work to protect our region’s vital resources. This annual Memorial Lecture honors the legacy of Darcy Aston, a 1981 UCSB Environmental Studies alum and beloved member of the Santa Barbara community, and brings us together to explore solutions for water quality, watershed protection, and environmental stewardship.

This year’s program will feature a moderated panel discussion led by Linda Krop, Chief Counsel at the Environmental Defense Center, featuring Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Gregg Hart. They will reflect on the legacy of environmental action since the 1969 oil spill and examine the impacts of oil extraction and transport on water quality, the role of policy and advocacy in driving change, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. A reception with light refreshments will follow the discussion.