Press Releases
Read the Latest on CEC
Community Environmental Council Kicks off A Year of Active Hope with Free Events at its Downtown Environmental Hub.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif (February 18, 2026) – The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting a variety of spring events at its Environmental Hub (1219 State St.) as part of A Year of Active Hope — a 2026 event series designed to unite the community around climate solutions, creative expression, and hands-on learning. The spring offerings include film screenings, panels, workshops, community-powered repair fairs, experiential art sessions, and more, creating opportunities for residents of all ages to take meaningful climate action.
Aparte la fecha: Festival del Día de la Tierra en Santa Bárbara Listos para reunir a la comunidad En el Parque Alameda el 25 y 26 de abril, 2026
3 de febrero, 2026 (SANTA BÁRBARA, CALIFORNIA) — El Festival del Día de la Tierra en Santa Bárbara tendrá lugar en el Parque Alameda el sábado 25 de abril de 11:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m. y el domingo 26 de abril de 11:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m., 2026. Ahora en su 56.º año, el festival organizado por la comunidad es una de las celebraciones más longevas del Día de la Tierra en la nación y una de las más grandes de la Costa Oeste.
Save the Date: Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Ready to Bring Together the Community at Alameda Park on April 25 & 26, 2026
February 3, 2026 (SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.) – The Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival returns to Alameda Park on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 2026. Now in its 56th year, the community-organized festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the nation and one of the largest on the West Coast.
Community Environmental Council Recruits Winter Class of Climate Stewards
SANTA BARBARA, Calif (January 13, 2026) – The Community Environmental Council (CEC) opened enrollment for the next session of its Climate Stewards certification course, designed to engage and empower individuals on the Central Coast to take meaningful climate action. CEC is proud to be the first and only nonprofit in the region to deliver the Climate Stewards certification program in partnership with the UC Environmental Stewards program, and one of only a handful across the state.
Archived Press Releases
2020
CEC Chosen as a 2020 Spirit of Service Climate Hero. December 15, 2020.
CEC Chosen as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year. November 19, 2020.
CEC Zero Emission Vehicle Equity Grant Focuses on Extremely Low- or No-Cost Leased or Used Electric Vehicles to Accelerate Transportation Justice. October 29, 2020.
CEC Expands Climate Justice Efforts with Community Ambassadors. October 27, 2020.
CEC’s Solarize Program Sets One Megawatt Solar Goal for Regional Nonprofit Agencies. October 1, 2020.
CEC and Electric Drive 805 Coalition Spotlight Electric Vehicles for Low to Moderate Income Families During National Drive Electric Week. September 23, 2020.
CEC Launches Solarize Ventura County with Webinars on Solar, Battery Systems, and Electric Vehicles. September 9, 2020.
CEC Gathers with Frontline and Essential Workers, Indigenous Communities to Address Local Climate Resilience. August 25, 2020.
CEC Launches Program to Continue Responding to Frontline Community Needs During COVID-19. August 20, 2020.
CEC Joins Born This Way Foundation for its Annual “#BeKind21” Campaign. August 19, 2020.
CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara with Webinar on Solar and Battery Storage. July 28, 2020.
Community Invited to Take Action on Local Transportation System Reform. June 18, 2020.
The Right to Breathe. June 1, 2020.
Santa Barbara County Food Rescue Network Expands to Offer Critical Support to Those In Need. May 7, 2020.
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces Shakira Miracle as First Executive Director. May 5, 2020.
Community Environmental Council Announces #TogetherWeEarthrise Earth Day Live Festival on April 22. April 14, 2020.
Community Environmental Council Postpones 2020 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival March 12, 2020.
Community Environmental Council Gathers Local Leaders, Stakeholders to Address Impacts of Sea Level Rise & Flooding. March 9, 2020.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Members to Board of Directors, Partnership Council and President’s Council. February 19, 2020.
Community Environmental Council Announces 2020 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival—the 50th Anniversary of “Earth Day”. February 18, 2020.
2019
Thank You for Joining the Home Energy Workshop in Ventura. December 8, 2019.
Community Invited to Take Action on Local Food System Reform. November 21, 2019.
Home Energy Storage Workshop Attracts Big Crowd. November 19, 2019.
Community Environmental Council Gathers Local Leaders, Stakeholders to Address Local Climate and Fire Resilience. November 4, 2019.
City of Santa Barbara, Community Environmental Council to Help Residents Prepare for Power outages at Home Energy Storage Workshop. October 17, 2019.
City of Ventura, Community Environmental Council to Help Residents Prepare for Power Outages at Home Energy Storage Workshop.October 17, 2019.
Ventura County Agricultural Advocates Awarded Healthy Soils Grant from State of California. August 28, 2019.
Community Environmental Council and Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club Support National Drive Electric Week Events in the 805 Region. September 22, 2019.
CEC’s Green Gala. September 20, 2019.
Harvard Club of Santa Barbara Presents Exploring Climate Change & Culture Shift, Lecture on Climate and the Humanities. September 12, 2019.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Members to Board, President’s Council, Staff, and Intern Program. August 1, 2019.
Community Environmental Council Receives Food Rescue Grant and Partners with SBCC and Allan Hancock College to Feed Hungry Students. June 13, 2019.
Plastic Free July Kickoff Party and Video Premiere. June 12, 2019.
Californians Support Local Action To Create Zero-Emission Homes And Buildings. June 6, 2019.
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2019 Highlights Announced; James Cameron and Hannah-Beth Jackson to Present Environmental Hero Awards. April 24, 2019.
Solarize Ventura is Back. April 23, 2019.
SCEEP Promotes Energy-Saving Rebate with Smart Thermostat Giveaway at Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. April 23, 2019.
Community Environmental Council Launches kWh Countdown Program to help Lompoc Businesses Save Energy. April 19, 2019.
Earth Day Organizers to Honor 2019 Environmental Heroes Acting on the Climate Crisis. April 15, 2019.
Solarize Nonprofit Program Helps Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Go Solar March 19, 2019.<
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Partnership Council Members and Intern, Including Lawyer and Financial Expert. March 26, 2019.
Community Environmental Council Announces SB Earth Day Festival 2019. February 19, 2019.
Community Environmental Council Announces Launch of Electric Drive 805. January 30, 2019.
Call for Climate Solutions, End to Oil Drilling as Movement Marks the 50th Anniversary of Historic Santa Barbara Oil Spill. January 24, 2019.
2018
Call for Climate Solutions, End to Oil Drilling as Movement Marks the 50th Anniversary of Historic Santa Barbara Oil Spill. January 24, 2019.
Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners and Local Nonprofits Invite Residents To Recycle Film Plastic. December 13, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Board and Staff Members, including Retired Fire Chief and Green Business Leaders. December 7, 2018.
Community Invited Back to Continue Taking Action on Food System in Santa Barbara County. November 9, 2018.
Environmental and Agricultural Leaders Partner to Host Healthy Soils Field Day & Compost Demonstration. October 25, 2018.
CEC’s Green Gala Sold Out. August 13, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Council Members and Interns in Support of Work for a Healthy and Green Community. July 31, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Adds Intern, Council Members. July 31, 2018.
That Sucking Sound …. July 31, 2018.
Dream Foundation Appoints Director of Development. July 30, 2018.
Science, Technology, and Environment: You Don’t Have to Go it Alone in Going Solar!. July 29, 2018.
California town will jail you for using a plastic straw. July 25, 2018.
Paula Kehoe: Environmentalist at Heart. July 25, 2018.
New program to provide free energy benchmarking and energy audits. July 20, 2018.
Banned in Santa Barbara No More Plastic Straws or Styrofoam. July 20, 2018.
New program to provide free energy benchmarking and energy audits. July 20, 2018.
Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance launches kWh Countdown Program. July 18, 2018.
Winter 2018 Funded Projects. July 18, 2018.
Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance Launches kWh Countdown Program to help Ventura County Businesses save energy. July 2, 2018.
CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara. May 29, 2018.
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2018 Highlights Announced; Kenny Loggins & Salud Carbajal to Present Environmental Hero Awards. April 17, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Announces New Program Allowing Nonprofits to Go Solar at No Cost. April 12, 2018.
Earth Day Organizers Announce 2018 Environmental Hero & Youth Award Recipients and Activities for a “Climate Resilient” Future. April 9, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes Barbara S. Lindemann to Board and Alexis Donaire to Partnership Council . March 31, 2018.
Local Ranch and Conservation Agencies Receive California Healthy Soils Award. March 13, 2018.
Two Workshops Offer Opportunity for Developers and Local Property Owners to Host So Cal Edison Renewable Energy Resources, Increase Revenue. March 1, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Announces SB Earth Day Festival 2018. February 13, 2018.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Officers and Members, including Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. January 31, 2018.
2017
Community Invited to Take Action on Food System in Santa Barbara County. September 25, 2017.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes Laura Francis to Board of Directors; Michelle Weinman, Deborah Williams to Partnership Council. September 18, 2017.
CEC’s Solarize Ventura County Extended to September 22. September 1, 2017.
Oxnard Electric Car Show, Test Drives Highlight National Drive Electric Week . August 29, 2017.
Electric Car Show September 17 in Goleta. August 29, 2017.
CEC Announces Solarize Ventura County. June 23, 2017.
SB City Council to Consider 100% Renewable Energy Goal; Community Environmental Council Calls on Citizens to Attend Hearing. May 25, 2017.
Community Environmental Council Launches Solarize Irvine. May 5, 2017.
CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara County. May 4, 2017.
Highlights Announced for People’s Climate March. April 26, 2017.
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2017 Highlights Announced; Actor Jeff Bridges to Present Environmental Hero Award to Activist Paul Hawken. April 17, 2017.
SCEEP Promotes Energy Saving Rebate with Smart Thermostat Giveaway at Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. April 18, 2017.
Coalition Announces People’s Climate Rally and March. April 13, 2017.
Earth Day Organizers Announce Author & Entrepreneur Paul Hawken as 2017 Environmental Hero Award Recipient. March 28, 2017.
Free Community Forum on Hydrogen Cars. February 5, 2017.
Community Environmental Council’s SB Earth Day Festival Wins Sustainability Award; 2017 Event Announced. January 30, 2017.
2016
CEC’s Solarize Program Announces 500th Customer. October 6, 2016.
CEC’s Green Gala Sold Out. September 20, 2016.
Electric Car Show for National Drive Electric Week. September 1, 2016.
Electric Car Show for National Drive Electric Week. September 1, 2016.
CEC To Host Award-Winning Green Gala. August 10, 2016.
Solarize 126 Group-Purchase Program comes to Santa Paula and Fillmore. August 1, 2016.
Solarize Ojai Valley Group-Purchase Program Returns for the 4th year. August 1, 2016.
Green Building Thought Leader Ed Mazria Returns to Santa Barbara. July 5, 2016.
Santa Barbara County Launches First-Ever Food Action Plan. May 24, 2016.
Solarize Santa Barbara Program Launch Press Conference Tuesday, 5/24 at 10:00 AM . May 20, 2016.
Central Coast Celebrates Its First Hydrogen Fueling Station. May 13, 2016.
SCEEP Offers Energy Efficiency Tools Giveaway at Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. April 7, 2016.
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2016 Highlights Announced; Zach Gill Returns as Sunday Headliner. April 6, 2016.
Earth Day Organizers Announce Congresswoman Lois Capps and Organization 5 Gyres as 2016 Environmental Hero Award Recipients. March 17, 2016.
Community Environmental Council Announces New Director of Development, Anais Pellegrini. March 7, 2016.
Community Environmental Council Welcomes Catherine Brozowski and New Officers to Board of Directors. February 3, 2016.
2016 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Announced by Community Environmental Council. January 26, 2016
2015
CEC Presents Drive Clean Santa Barbara. November 25, 2015.
Community Environmental Council Food Waste Study Reveals Opportunities to Feed the Hungry and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions October 23, 2015.
Pico Iyer Joins Paul Relis in Santa Barbara to Discuss Climate Change and the Environmental Movement. October 1, 2015.
Dave Davis to Step Down from Community Environmental Council; Board Appoints Sigrid Wright as First Female CEO. July 13, 2015.
Refugio Oil Spill Inspires Action Toward a Post-oil Era. May 21, 2015.
Gaviota Coast Oil Spill Strengthens Resolve of Community Environmental Council. May 20, 2015.
Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2015 Highlights Announced; Zach Gill & Anuhea to Headline.
Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan Launches with Community Listening Sessions.
Earth Day Festival 2015 Announced by Community Environmental Council.
2014
CEC Hosts Award-Winning Green Gala ‘Eco-Chic’ Party of the Year”
Solarize San Luis Obispo County Helps Homeowners Save with Solar
Community Environmental Council’s 2014 Earth Day Festival Attended by 37,364 People
Earth Day Festival 2014 Highlights Announced by Community Environmental Council
Community Environmental Council Welcomes Laura Capps, Chris Hahn to Board
2013
Community Environmental Council Announces 2013 Board of Directors Officers
Earth Day Festival 2013 Announced by Community Environmental Council.
Climate Scientist to Discuss Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living
Earth Day Festival 2012 theme: “Mobilize,” Announced by Community Environmental Council
Santa Barbara’s Carrot Mob Gathering on 1/21/12: Who Will Be Mobbed?