Saturday, September 19, 2026
4:30-9 p.m.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Join us on Saturday, September 19, at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum for an unforgettable evening of seasonal cuisine, exceptional local wine, live auction experiences, and meaningful community connection in support of climate action on California’s Central Coast.

Guests will enjoy a lively welcome reception and Green Gala Market, followed by a seasonal, climate-smart dinner created by Elizabeth Poett of Rancho San Julian and The Ranch Table, prepared in partnership with Duo Catering.

We hope you’ll gather with us for a special evening celebrating what’s possible when communities come together in support of a more sustainable future.

TICKETS

SPONSOR

The Experience

Begin the evening exploring the new Green Gala Market, where you'll meet local farmers, ranchers, artisans, and makers while enjoying tastings and farm-to-bar libations — and bidding on unique silent auction experiences. Then gather for a seasonal, climate-smart dinner created in collaboration with Elizabeth Poett of Rancho San Julian and The Ranch Table, followed by an inspiring program celebrating local climate solutions and raising critical funds for CEC's work across the Central Coast.

At the Market bar:
Topa Topa Brewing Co. · Ventura Spirits · Tractor Beverage Co. · Solminer · T.W. Hollister & Co.

Meet a few of the people and businesses you'll encounter in the Market — and join us on September 19 to discover how they're cultivating a more resilient Central Coast.

2026 GG Market

Gonzales Siemens Farm

Meet farmers putting regenerative agriculture into practice. Meet multi-generational farmers Nathaneal Gonzales Siemens and Rebekka Siemens and learn how regenerative practices are shaping the farm's almond and grain production.

Coyote's Market

Taste the Central Coast, from pasture to plate. Caroline and Peter Hernandez will sample their housemade pastrami bites and share why they champion small producers and carefully sourced Central Coast ingredients at Coyote's Market.

Twenty-Four Blackbirds Chocolate

Discover where chocolate begins. Meet Mike Orlando, sample his chocolate, and learn about his journey into growing California's first cacao and vanilla farm.

Ventura Spirits

A true taste of place. Meet agave farmer Doug Richardson, taste Ventura Spirits’ La Paloma, and enjoy a curated cocktail at the Market bar featuring locally inspired ingredients.

Marino Soil Foods

What if local resources could help rebuild our soils? Marino turns California-raised Merino wool and local fish scraps into specialty fertilizers that support long-term soil health.

T.W. Hollister & Co.

At Hollister Ranch, the land itself is an ingredient. Taste T.W. Hollister vermouth, enjoy a curated cocktail at the Market bar, and learn how botanicals and regenerative practices come together on the ranch.

Cuyama Lamb

From working lands to wool. Discover how grazing, healthy soils, and land stewardship are helping build resilient landscapes across our region.

Solminer

Taste regenerative agriculture in action. Meet the team, taste their Central Coast wines, and learn how regenerative practices are shaping the future of vineyards.

A Dinner Inspired by the Land

Raised on her family’s historic Rancho San Julian on California’s Central Coast, Elizabeth Poett brings a deep passion for seasonal cooking, sustainable agriculture, and gathering people around the table.

Known for her work on Ranch to Table and The Ranch Table cookbook, Elizabeth is teaming up with with Duo Catering to create a seasonal dinner featuring nearly 100% locally sourced ingredients from Central Coast farmers and ranchers.

A taste of what's on the menu:

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Corn & Kalamata Olives
Braised Short Rib with Garden Chimichurri
Grilled Summer Squash with Pesto & Nasturtium Flowers
Sweet Corn Polenta
Tio's Beans

Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Tyler Winery will round out the meal.

Rooted in Hope. Powered by Community.

Green Gala is more than a celebration. It's an opportunity to invest in the people working every day to create a healthier, more resilient Central Coast.

Proceeds from the Green Gala support the Community Environmental Council’s work advancing clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and environmental justice throughout California’s Central Coast.

For more than 50 years, CEC has worked alongside communities, businesses, farmers, and local leaders to create practical, people-centered climate solutions that protect the region we call home.

When our community comes together, local ideas can become lasting change.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Green Gala sponsorships offer meaningful visibility while directly supporting local climate action on California’s Central Coast.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, foundations, and community partners interested in aligning with one of Santa Barbara’s signature environmental events.

In addition to event sponsorship opportunities, we also welcome silent and live auction donations, paddle raise match support, and Honorary Committee participation.

SPONSOR

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Community Champion

Sustainability Partner Sponsors

Steward Sponsors

Anonymous
Jon and Susan Clark
Zegar Family Fund

Green Sponsors

Community Builder Sponsors

Martin and Kerrilee Gore

Max and Jennifer Drucker

Mary Becker
Nancy Steinberg Barasch

2026 Green Gala Committee

Co-Chairs

Jennifer Drucker

Jessica McLernon

Committee

Clara Cadwell
Colette Carlsson
Brook Eiler

Natalie Greenside
Kerrilee Gore
Lily Hahn Shining

Honorary Committee

Allen Construction
Angela Antenore
Boston Trust Walden
Dave Davis
Christine DeVries
Carolyn Fitzgerald
Future Leaders of America
Geoff Green
Lee Heller
Bruce Kendall
Barbara Lindemann