The Community Environmental Council looked inward for its annual Green Gala, holding the celebratory event at its newly renovated Environmental Hub in downtown Santa Barbara.
Guests included community leaders, environmental advocates and philanthropic supporters, many of them dressed in green, supporting the CEC’s important work to ensure a vibrant and healthy Central Coast.
For the last 50 years, the nonprofit organization has taken the local lead on repairing environmental damage, reversing climate change and protecting our communities.
The Green Gala offered guests an opportunity to discover the CEC’s elegantly transformed space — at 1219 State St., across from The Granada Theatre — after undergoing a $3.5 million renovation.
Nobody went hungry or thirsty at the event. Plant-based noshes were provided by Satellite SB and inspired cocktails by Flair Project were served alongside wine by Trippers & Asker.
Ventura Rental Party & Events and Ventura Spirits were also event sponsors.
The CEC’s community leadership is exemplified by CEO Sigrid Wright.
Under her direction, the organization was recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year, and she has been honored as a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero and a 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year.
Green Gala keynote speaker Nalleli Cobo, left, and gala chairwoman Carolyn Fitzgerald flank Community Environmental Council CEO Sigrid Wright. (Sarita Relis photo) 
Serving as Green Gala emcee and auctioneer was Geoff Green, CEO of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and a Community Environmental Council board member. (Sarita Relis photo) 
Among those representing the Community Environmental Council at its annual Green Gala were, from left, Amy Schneider, Geoff Green, Nick Schneider, Jenny Kearns and Jon Clark. (Sarita Relis photo) 
From left, Pat McElroy, Anders Bergstrom, Kendall Pata and Chandler Buie. (Sarita Relis photo) 
From left, Melissa Mohr-Brown, Natalie Greenside, Lovita Wibisono, Kent Mixon and Joe Andrulaitis. (Sarita Relis photo) 
The Green Gala committee gathers for a team photo. (Sarita Relis photo)
Wright told the audience of more than 250 that the Environmental Hub represents a pivotal moment to challenge the “code red for humanity warnings we are hearing regarding the climate crises.”
“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,” she said.
The gala’s keynote speaker was Nalleli Cobo, who spoke about the coalition she led as a teenager to permanently shut down oil drilling in her South Los Angeles neighborhood. The drilling was blamed for serious health issues she and other residents suffered from for years.
Cobo, the recipient of a 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize, is no stranger to Santa Barbara. At the CEC’s annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival earlier this year, actress activist Jane Fonda presented her with the CEC’s Environmental Hero Award.
The 10,000-square-foot Environmental Hub, which also is a collaborative space, was designed by MN Studio Interiors and Andrulatis+Mixon Architects with help from Specialty Construction, Guner Tautrim/Seaborn Designs and Terra Basche/Lush Elements.
Among the ecofriendly features of the all-electric building are a beautiful, two-story indoor tree, a high-efficiency electric heating and cooling system, sustainability sourced flooring and wall materials, natural lighting, a planned 16-kilowatt solar energy system and ample space for bikes.
A 750-square-foot community room — named for the late Hal Conklin, a former Santa Barbara mayor and one of the CEC’s founders — is available for trainings and meetings. Its flexibility is designed to be its own hub for community activism, education, entrepreneurship, media and art.
The Patricia & Paul Bragg Foundation Atrium features high ceilings, natural light and plenty of space for receptions of up to 85 guests. Thanks to a large, drop-down screen, it’s ideal for evening film screenings.
Click here for more information about how to book the Environmental Hub.
Geoff Green, CEO of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and a CEC board member, was a very enthusiastic emcee and led a live auction with seven key items.
Included were a composting workshop at Montecito Union School’s Nature Lab; an Autumn Brands Cannabis Farm Experience in Carpinteria; custom artwork by Nicole Delesalle; a Climate Smart agricultural tour with wine tasting and lunch for 10 at Jalama Canyon Ranch; an afternoon of wellness and esthetic alchemy for four; and a private, multicourse dinner for six with Common Table Creative chef Oliver English.
For the grand finale, two tickets were auctioned for the Foo Fighters, who were performing that evening at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
The gala also featured a climate action-inspired artistic installation icreated by students from the Visual Arts & Design Academy (VADA) at Santa Barbara High School.
“The Green Gala is more than just an evening of celebration,” Carolyn Fitzgerald, the 2023 gala chairwoman and a CEC board member, told Noozhawk. “It is a testament to the council’s dedication to the Central Coast.
“Our board and sponsors hope to raise awareness and grow a sense of responsibility for our environment for our children, grandchildren and community that will bloom for years to come!”