SB CAN Projects
SB CAN Projects
SB CAN works on a number of projects that help us to fulfill our mission of integrating environmental and social justice issues.
HOT Principles: The Heart and Soul of SB CAN
At a board retreat in 2006 SB CAN re-examined its mission. We found that most of our advocacy for environmental and social justice values focused on what we came to call our “HOT” issues—the need for building more affordable and workforce HOUSING; preserving OPEN SPACE, agricultural lands, and sensitive habitats; and creating alternative TRANSPORTATION systems that reduced congestion and pollution.
We realized that Housing, Open space and Transportation (HOT)are interconnected issues that must be considered together rather than separately. Addressed holistically, they are key to the future of Santa Barbara County. We developed a set of HOT principles that examine how these issues are inter-related and that guide our advocacy in these areas.
You can read our HOT PRINCIPLES on this website by clicking on this link.
You can also read about what we’ve been working on in HOUSING, OPEN SPACE, and TRANSPORTATION, by clicking on these links.
Government Watchdog
SB CAN closely monitors city and county government and speaks out on pertinent issues. Often SB CAN is sought out by the local media for commentary on breaking news. Click GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG to find out more about these activities. Articles that quote SB CAN can be read under "SB CAN IN THE NEWS" on this page.
For information on how to contact your local governments, or for links to important county and city websites, click YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
Building Community & Bridging Differences
One of SB CAN’'s important goals is to encourage dialogue and alliances among the county’s many highly focused progressive environmental and social justice organizations.
Progressive Roundtables
One way we do that is by hosting Progressive Roundtables that bring together activists and organizations to examine specific issues. Once a month, SB CAN convenes meetings that brings together individual activists and representatives from a number of progressive organizations from across the county to discuss environmental and social justice issues. We share information, discuss common goals, and create strategies for working together to address some of the critical problems facing our communities.
Another way we encourage dialogue is by joining with others to form Coalitions and alliances to meet special needs. Here are a few of those alliances.
Sustainable University Now (SUN)
Promoting the Principles of Sustainability
SUN is the product of a series of meetings convened by the Santa Barbara County Action Network (SB CAN) to discuss community challenges raised by UCSB’s Draft Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). SUN members are committed to encouraging wide community participation in reviewing and responding to the LRDP Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which is expected to be re-circulated soon.
The Naples Coalition
Protecting the Rural Character of the Gaviota Coast
The Naples Coalition banded together in 2000 in an effort to protect the rural character of Naples on the Gaviota Coast, one of the true treasures of Santa Barbara Count. The Gaviota Coast stretches to the west of Goleta to Point Conception and some would argue 20 miles north to Point Sal. The southerly portion of the coast (Goleta to Point Conception) is the largest relatively intact remnant of the Southern California Mediterranean coastline, one of five representatives of the world’s rarest environments. It is the healthiest remaining coastal ecosystem in Southern California, a land of incredible scenery, rich biology, and cultural significance. For more info, see: www.savenaples.org.
Coalition for a Fair Measure A
Funding for Alternative Transportation
Coalition for a Fair Measure A (CFFMD) is composed of almost thirty local groups representing environmental causes, labor and social justice. The Coalition was formed in the process of creating Measure D 2006, which, had it passed, would have changed the direction of transportation funding in Santa Barbara County, with almost 40% of the total funds going to buses, rail, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and other "alternative" programs. Unfortunately, Measure D 2006 did not pass. However, the Coalition has been playing a key role in designing the newest measure, called Measure A 2008. This Ballot Measure, which included substantial increased funding for alternative transportation, won voters' overwhelming approval in the November 4, 2008 election. For more info on the Measure A win, see: http://coast-santabarbara.org/measure-a/
Common Ground
Shared principles on housing, open space, and transportation
A series of meeting in 2007 brought together members of the environmental and social justice, and the development community to explore common ground around the issues of housing, open space, and transportation. Together we came to a consensus that these issues are intimately related and require planning, program development and implementation to account for that linkage holistically. A statement of shared principles was developed, drawn in part from SB CAN’s HOT principles.
The Santa Maria Community Coalition
Providing Progressive Leadership In the North County
In November 2006, the first progressive candidate, Hilda Zacarias, was elected to the traditionally conservative City Council in Santa Maria. A month later, SB CAN joined with other progressive organizations to found the Santa Maria Community Coalition. This Coalition meets twice a month to monitor city government and take action when needed to promote public participation and good government.
Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance (SBC-AFA)
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in Santa Barbara County
In July 2007, SB CAN joined with the Environmental Defense Center, Santa Barbara Farm Bureau, and other environmental, social justice, and agriculture advocates to form an Ag Futures Alliance. We meet monthly, working together to preserve and promote agriculture in ways that are environmentally and economically sustainable. Our Alliance is modeled after several successful AFA’s across the state. See http://agfuturesalliance.net for more AFA info.
The Environmental Coalition
Monitoring the Development of Energy Resources
Hosted by the Environmental Defense Center, this coalition meets monthly in Santa Barbara to monitor projects that develop energy resources. Our goal is to discourage the development of energy resources that are nonrenewable or harmful to the environment, and to encourage the development of alternative or renewable energy resources, while keeping impacts to the environment at a minimum.
Education & Engagement
SB CAN understands the importance of education and engagement when it comes to making a difference in our community on important issues. Through a number of venues we reach our to our members and other in the community who want to learn more about the issues and how they can help.
Public Forums and Skills Workshops
Since its inception, SB CAN has hosted a number of public forums and skills workshops across the county on important community issues.
SB CAN Editorials
SB CAN writes regular columns for the Santa Maria Times, Lompoc Record, and Noozhawk.com on timely and pertinent issues. You can read our columns online under "SB CAN Editorials".
Information & Action Alerts
SB CAN also emails timely information and action alerts to our members and friends. Here we provide information about important issues and calls on members to take action by writing letters to the editors or elected officials, attending public meetings or forums, or speaking at public hearings. We also give updated information about SB CAN events, and other community events that may interest our members. Members are automatically signed up for our action alerts, but you do not have to be a member to receive them. You can also Sign up for ACTION ALERTS to receive our emails. Go to ACTION ALERTS to read our latest alert and access our archives.
SB CANNES Film Series
In 2007 we joined with our education and research partner, SB CORE, to launch SB CANNES “Movies with a Message” Film Series. Here we preview current commercial films with a social justice or environmental edge to highlight pressing local issues. Each film is followed by a panel of local advocates who discuss the issues. Each is co-sponsored by a sister organization working in the problem area bearing on the film’s theme. Go to SBCANNES Films to find out more.