The Community Environmental Council (CEC) has named Megan Birney Rudert and Assemblymember Gregg Hart as its 2026 Environmental Heroes, honoring their leadership and innovation in advancing climate solutions.

The awards will be presented at the 56th annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, April 25-26 at Alameda Park.

One of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country, and among the largest on the West Coast, the free Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival brings together thousands of people for a weekend of environmental action, education and celebration.

The festival will take place 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, April 25 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, April 26. The Environmental Hero ceremony will be noon-1 p.m. April 26 on the Main Stage.

Presented by CEC and produced by longtime partner CarpEvents, the festival serves as a leading hub for environmental engagement on the Central Coast.

“It has never been more important for us to celebrate, learn, and activate for our planet, our communities, and future generations,” said Kathi King, CEC’s director of education and operations. “Santa Barbara continues to lead by example, demonstrating what a sustainable future can look like even amid national challenges.”

“This year’s theme Our Power, Our Planet aligns with EARTHDAY.ORG’s global call to action, emphasizing the collective strength of communities to drive climate solutions and protect the health of our environment, economy, and future,” event organizers said. “The message is clear: Real change is people-powered.”

In that spirit, CEC’s 2026 Environmental Heroes exemplify the power of individual leadership to create global impact.

Birney Rudert, president/CEO of Unite to Light, leads the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit expanding access to clean, affordable solar light, and energy in off-grid communities worldwide.

Under her leadership, Unite to Light has distributed hundreds of thousands of solar lights and chargers, reducing reliance on harmful kerosene while improving health, safety and opportunity, CEC said.

Her work enables students to study after dark, supports safer childbirth, and provides reliable power in disaster zones.

Hart represents California’s 37th Assembly District.

“Over more than three decades of public service, he has been a steadfast advocate for protecting California’s environment and coastline,” CEC said. “He has passed legislation to plug idle oil wells faster, hold operators accountable, and require environmental review for aging coastal infrastructure, in addition to establishing the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program.”

Building on this work, Hart is organizing the inaugural California Ocean Summit in Santa Barbara to bring together global leaders in ocean stewardship and advance solutions.

The 2026 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival will feature some 200 eco-friendly exhibitors, a Green Car Show with free Ride & Drive experiences, live music, a plant-forward food court, Beer & Wine Garden, and Kids Zone.

“It’s inspiring to see how deeply our community cares about environmental stewardship,” said Mike Lazaro, CEO of CarpEvents and festival producer. “The Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival brings that passion to life in a way that’s engaging, hands-on, and fun for all ages.

“Each year, the urgency of the climate crisis grows, but so does our community’s commitment to solutions.”

To learn more and get involved, visit SBEarthDay.org.

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival partners and sponsors include:

Marborg, Rivian, Firestone 805, Juneshine, Brander Vineyard, Flying Shade, Bye Bye Mattress, Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition, Central Coast Community Energy, Channel Islands Restoration, Chumash Foundation.

City of Santa Barbara – Sustainability & Resilience, Cox, e-Bikery, E-Rentals & Tents Inc, Islay Events, Jonny Pops, the Learningden Preschool, Matilija Pure Water Systems, Montecito Bank & Trust, the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Santa Barbara Independent, Skyhook Solar, Target, TV Santa Barbara, Voice Magazine, and Yerba Madre.

Widely acknowledged as the birthplace of Earth Day, Santa Barbara’s involvement began with the devastating 1969 oil spill off its coast. This led a local group of concerned citizens to begin discussing a different way of looking at environmental systems.

During that time, Sen. Gaylord Nelson visited Santa Barbara to view the oil spill damage. When he returned to Washington, D.C., he introduced a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth.

Over the next few years, the environmental movement was born across the country, including the CEC.

Led by a group of forward-thinking youth and elders, CEC incorporated in the spring of 1970. Its first act as a new nonprofit was to hold an Earth Day celebration, a block-long teach-in along Anapamu Street between State and Chapala streets.

Around the country, 20 million concerned citizens attended similar events.

For more about the CEC, visit CECSB.org/impact.