Press and Media

Join the Community Environmental Council for Green Gala 2026, an unforgettable evening celebrating community, connection, and climate action on California's Central Coast.

Inspired by the theme Rooted in Hope, this year's event will bring together community leaders, philanthropists, business partners, and climate advocates for an evening of meaningful connection and support for local climate solutions.

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

Proceeds support CEC's work advancing clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and environmental leadership throughout the region.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available.

Thinking of trading in your old car for an electric vehicle, but don't know where to start? Join us for a free webinar all things electric vehicles (EVs). Whether you’re just curious or are ready to make the switch, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) EV experts will provide practical information and resources to help you take the next step.

¿Estás pensando en entregar tu coche viejo a cambio de un vehículo eléctrico, pero no sabes por dónde empezar? Únete a nuestro seminario web gratuito sobre todo lo relacionado con los vehículos eléctricos (VE). Ya sea que tengas curiosidad o estés listo para hacer el cambio, los expertos en vehículos eléctricos del Consejo Comunitario Medioambiental (CEC) te ofrecerán información práctica y recursos para ayudarte a dar el siguiente paso.

Join us for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara, a completely free, community-powered event where volunteers help fix broken items instead of sending them to the landfill. Bring up to two items —such as clothing, electronics, bikes, furniture, toys, small appliances, or knives for sharpening —and work alongside skilled fixers to bring them back to life.

Join CEC at the 13th annual Banana Festival at The Port of Hueneme, which features many attractions, including Port Tours, a Kids Zone, live bands, and tasty banana-themed treats, alongside an electric vehicle showcase.

The EV Showcase and Educational Booth will be provided by the Electric Vehicle Advocates of Ventura County. Members of the group, some of whom have years of experience in owning and driving electric vehicles, will be in attendance. Their first-hand knowledge is provided to answer your questions and prepare you for EV ownership. Informational topics include available EVs, rebates and incentives, charging at home, the workplace, or while on the road.

Join Surfrider Ventura, Sierra Club Ventura, Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG), and community members for a statewide Hands Across the Sand day of action calling for an end to expanded offshore oil drilling. The morning will feature breakfast burritos, fun activities, and a special guest speaker before participants join hands along the shoreline at noon to stand up for ocean protection, clean energy, coastal communities, and climate action. The event comes as federal plans propose new offshore oil and gas leasing across U.S. coastal waters, including the Santa Barbara Channel. Come add your voice to the call for a clean energy future — and register in advance so organizers know how many breakfast burritos to bring!

Join Damian Gallagher for an experiential workshop designed to help you slow down, notice what’s here, and explore how you relate to yourself, others, and the world around you. Through guided reflection, simple relational practices, conversation, and curiosity, we’ll explore what helps us feel more present, open, and connected — including to the natural world and the places we call home. No previous experience is needed. The practices are simple and participatory, with plenty of room to engage in whatever way feels right for you. Come ready to connect, reflect, and get curious about what it means to be here, together.

Join us for October’s Climate Fridays Santa Barbara as we explore how regenerative agriculture can build healthier soil, strengthen local farms, and support a more resilient future. CEC Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Manager Brian Sweeney will talk with local farmers Austin Sharron of Pilgrim Terrace, Stefan Selbert of Las Cumbres Ranch, and Margo Redfern of Wanderment Farm, about their experiences with regenerative agriculture and what it looks like on the ground here in Santa Barbara County. Bring your questions, curiosity, and friends interested in the topic — we’ll leave time at the end for networking and conversation.

Join CEC at the Ventura Harbor! Check out electric cars, vans, SUVs, trucks, bikes, and other electric equipment, as well as vintage EV conversions. The cars are displayed by their owners, who have years of EV ownership experience and have driven many petroleum-free miles. They are all enthusiastic and willing to discuss their experiences and answer your questions about owning and using an EV.