Community Environmental Council Opens Central Coast’s First Environmental Hub
CEC invites community for a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting on Thursday, July 6, 2023
SANTA BARBARA, Calif (June 19, 2023) – The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Environmental Hub, a revolutionary 10,000-square-foot collaborative space located at 1219 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, directly across from the Granada Theatre. The Hub is set to become an epicenter for community activism, education, entrepreneurship, media and art, showcasing a first-of-its-kind concept in Central California.
On Thursday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m., a ribbon-cutting and grand opening community celebration will take place as part of Downtown Santa Barbara's 1st Thursday Art Walk, and will feature the Hub’s inaugural art installation “Return of the Western Monarch Butterfly: A Photographic Exhibit and Scientific Roadmap for Protecting this Endangered Species” by environmental artist, Elizabeth Weber. Community residents, organizations and leaders are invited to discover the new space and celebrate this important milestone for bringing climate action and community together in the heart of Santa Barbara.
CEC’s Environmental Hub, strategically positioned in the heart of Santa Barbara's ARTS District, aims to be a beacon of equitable climate leadership. By spotlighting initiatives that are inclusive, impactful and inspirational—and incorporating cutting-edge technology for in-person and remote collaboration — the HUB will provide flexible space for the community to create environmental solutions.
"The Environmental Hub represents a pivotal moment not only for our region, but for any community looking to challenge the ‘code red for humanity’ warnings we are hearing regarding the climate crisis,” said Sigrid Wright, CEO of the Community Environmental Council. “We will serve as a model for others and demonstrate that we can build collective power to do twice as much, twice as fast to solve climate change.”
CEC sought out a dedicated team of local professionals to help build the Environmental Hub, with green building goals in mind. Key partners include Andrulaitis+Mixon Architects, MN Studio Interiors, Specialty Construction, Guner Tautrim/Seaborn Designs, and Terra Basche/Lush Elements. Among the eco-friendly features of the all-electric building are a beautiful, two-story tall indoor tree, a high-efficiency electric heating and cooling system, sustainably sourced flooring and wall materials, natural lighting, a planned 16kw solar system, and ample space for bikes.
At the heart of CEC’s Hub, the Hal Conklin Community Room offers 750 square-feet of space for trainings, meetings, collaborations and most of all, community —named to honor one of the organization's founders. To commemorate the opening, CEC invites local nonprofits to "test drive" the space, free of charge, later this summer. Nonprofits are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity and are invited to email environmentalhub@cecmail.org to learn more and request a reservation. This initiative aims to encourage collaboration and strengthen the bond between the Hub and the local nonprofit sector.
The grand opening of the Environmental Hub marks a significant milestone in Santa Barbara's journey towards a sustainable and resilient future. With its state-of-the-art design, collaborative ethos and unwavering commitment to community engagement, the Hub will serve as an invaluable resource for Santa Barbara and a catalyst for change.
For more information about the CEC’s Environmental Hub and the grand opening celebration, please visit www.cecsb.org/environmental-hub or contact Jeanie-Marie Price, Director of Communications & Marketing at 971-207-9269 or jmprice@cecmail.org.
About the Community Environmental Council (CEC)
CEC advances rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis—including ambitious zero carbon goals, drawdown of excess carbon, and protection against the impacts of climate change. CEC was recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, and is led by CEO Sigrid Wright who was recently named 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. CEC has worked since 1970 to incubate and innovate real life environmental solutions that directly affect the California Central Coast. Our programs lead to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic. Learn more about why CEC is one of only five nonprofits in Santa Barbara County to have the highest possible ratings on Charity Navigator and Guidestar at CECSB.org/impact. Find CEC on the web at CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB, Twitter.com/CECSB, and Linkedin.com/company/cecsb/.