Action Alerts

SBCAN RT: Renowned speakers on global system change. Climate Fridays. MPAs. Diablo Canyon. tgif! Pt Sal Hike. 1 million rising. Good Trouble. And more

Renowned activists headline SBCAN Roundtable TODAY!

Ben Manski, a UCSB sociology PhD and longtime activist,

leads a presentation of an amazingly stimulating program

SBCAN ROUNDTABLE - FRIDAY, JULY 11 AT NOON

Ben Manski
Director
UCSB Next System Studies

and

Assistant Professor of Sociology George Mason University

Building the Next System: Here and Now
Santa Barbara County Action Network Roundtable via Zoom
TODAY, FRIDAY, JULY 11
Noon-1:30pm (Pacific)

Register using this Zoom link.

How can we build the next system even as we resist attacks on our communities and institutions?
And what is Santa Barbara's role in global system change?

Join us to hear from four U.S.-based activists who argue that if we take our social, political, economic, and ecological crises seriously enough, we have what it takes to build a world that is democratic, sustainable and just.

Guest Speakers:

	Joe Guinan, President The Democracy Collaborative
April Doner, Asset-Based Community Development Institute Steward, Goldin Institute Peace Fellows Trainer
	Matt Nelson, Executive Director Presente.org

In different regions of the world, deep local relationships are developing as communities, local governments, and universities mobilize their assets to build economic democracy and solidarity and to grow community power and wealth.

We will explore where this emerging “uni-muni-community” strategy is headed.

Drawing on cases ranging from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, DC, Jackson, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Northern Virginia in the United States, as well as Belfast, North Ayrshire, and Preston in Ireland, Scotland, and England, what can we learn about how best to build a new social base for progress?

More information on our guest speakers:

April Doner is a connector, roving illustrator, and community building coach with an enduring belief in the power of neighbors using their gifts to act together. Based in Chicago, she has spent 16 years blending asset-based community building work with artistic practices to cultivate locally controlled economies, self-determination, and authentic networks of care. She is affiliated with the ABCD Institute, Goldin Institute, and Resist & Build Network and is cofounder of Living World Studios.

Joe Guinan is President of The Democracy Collaborative. His focus is on political economy, strategy, and economic system change, and he is co-author (with Martin O’Neill) of The Case for Community Wealth Building (Polity, 2020) and (with Christine Berry) of People Get Ready! Preparing for a Corbyn Government (O/R Books, 2019), which was named one of The Guardian’s best politics books of the year in 2019.

Ben Manski is Director of Next System Studies and Assistant Professor of Sociology at George Mason University. He studies the participation of ordinary people in the deliberate constitution of their societies. His work takes in social movements, law, politics, climate and ecology, digital technology, and the corporation, focusing on democracy, constitutionalism, and system change, and he has published widely on these themes. Prior to joining the faculty at GMU, Manski devoted more than two decades working as a public interest lawyer, nonprofit executive, lobbyist, issue campaign director, direct action campaigner, and election campaign manager.

Matt Nelson is the Colombian-born, Midwestern-raised Executive Director of Presente.org. Before his work at Presente, he was the Organizing Director at Color Of Change. Matt also co-founded several worker-owned cooperatives in multiple Midwestern cities. He is a seasoned campaign strategist who has won dozens of local and national campaigns and a skilled community organizer who has trained thousands of activists. Matt co-edited the book “How We Win: Energizing Strategies, Voters, and Agendas” (Routledge 2024). He is finishing a new book on how Latinx organizing and cultural power is reshaping U.S. politics.

Don't forget to register using this link.

We look forward to seeing you TODAY - Friday, July 11!

CALENDAR

Items in blue are SBCAN events

Items in bold have been added since our last action alert

DATE	TIME	SUBJECT	PLACE
Fri July 11	9am	California Coastal Commission meeting	Pismo Beach
Fri July 11	Noon	Building the Next System: Here and Now	Online
Fri July 11	330pm- 5pm	Climate Fridays	SB
Fri July 11	530pm- 730pm	tgif! Happy Hour	SB
		Message regarding ICE
Sat July 12	9am	Point Sal Docent-Led Community Hike	Guadalupe
July 16 July 30 Aug 13	5pm- 630pm	One Million Rising	Online
July 16 July 17		Proposed Changes to California's Marine Protected Areas	Online
Th July 17	Noon- 130pm	Good Trouble Lives On	Santa Ynez Valley
Th July 17	430pm- 6pm	Good Trouble Lives On	Carpinteria
Th July 17	5pm- 7pm	Good Trouble Lives On	Lompoc
Th July 17	6pm- 730pm	Good Trouble Lives On	SM
Th July 17	730pm- 830pm	Good Trouble Lives On	SB
Now		Save the Whales	Online

Written by Jeanne Sparks
July 11, 2025

“Uni-muni-community” strategy at SBCAN RT; Diablo Canyon; tgif!; Pt Sal Hike; 1 million rising; Good Trouble; and more

Renowned activists headline SBCAN Roundtable on Friday!

Ben Manski, who is a UCSB sociology PhD and longtime activist

leads a presentation of an amazingly stimulating program

SBCAN ROUNDTABLE - FRIDAY, JULY 11 AT NOON

Ben Manski
Director
UCSB Next System Studies

and

Assistant Professor of Sociology George Mason University

Building the Next System: Here and Now
Santa Barbara County Action Network Roundtable via Zoom
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Noon-1:30pm (Pacific)

Register using this Zoom link.

How can we build the next system even as we resist attacks on our communities and institutions?
And what is Santa Barbara's role in global system change?

Join us to hear from four U.S.-based activists who argue that if we take our social, political, economic, and ecological crises seriously enough, we have what it takes to build a world that is democratic, sustainable and just.

Guest Speakers:

	Joe Guinan, President The Democracy Collaborative
April Doner, Asset-Based Community Development Institute Steward, Goldin Institute Peace Fellows Trainer
	Matt Nelson, Executive Director Presente.org

In different regions of the world, deep local relationships are developing as communities, local governments, and universities mobilize their assets to build economic democracy and solidarity and to grow community power and wealth.

We will explore where this emerging “uni-muni-community” strategy is headed.

Drawing on cases ranging from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, DC, Jackson, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Northern Virginia in the United States, as well as Belfast, North Ayrshire, and Preston in Ireland, Scotland, and England, what can we learn about how best to build a new social base for progress?

More information on our guest speakers:

April Doner is a connector, roving illustrator, and community building coach with an enduring belief in the power of neighbors using their gifts to act together. Based in Chicago, she has spent 16 years blending asset-based community building work with artistic practices to cultivate locally controlled economies, self-determination, and authentic networks of care. She is affiliated with the ABCD Institute, Goldin Institute, and Resist & Build Network and is cofounder of Living World Studios.

Joe Guinan is President of The Democracy Collaborative. His focus is on political economy, strategy, and economic system change, and he is co-author (with Martin O’Neill) of The Case for Community Wealth Building (Polity, 2020) and (with Christine Berry) of People Get Ready! Preparing for a Corbyn Government (O/R Books, 2019), which was named one of The Guardian’s best politics books of the year in 2019.

Ben Manski is Director of Next System Studies and Assistant Professor of Sociology at George Mason University. He studies the participation of ordinary people in the deliberate constitution of their societies. His work takes in social movements, law, politics, climate and ecology, digital technology, and the corporation, focusing on democracy, constitutionalism, and system change, and he has published widely on these themes. Prior to joining the faculty at GMU, Manski devoted more than two decades working as a public interest lawyer, nonprofit executive, lobbyist, issue campaign director, direct action campaigner, and election campaign manager.

Matt Nelson is the Colombian-born, Midwestern-raised Executive Director of Presente.org. Before his work at Presente, he was the Organizing Director at Color Of Change. Matt also co-founded several worker-owned cooperatives in multiple Midwestern cities. He is a seasoned campaign strategist who has won dozens of local and national campaigns and a skilled community organizer who has trained thousands of activists. Matt co-edited the book “How We Win: Energizing Strategies, Voters, and Agendas” (Routledge 2024). He is finishing a new book on how Latinx organizing and cultural power is reshaping U.S. politics.

Don't forget to register using this link.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow - Friday, July 11!

CALENDAR

Items in blue are SBCAN events

Items in bold have been added since our last action alert

DATE	TIME	SUBJECT	PLACE
Fri July 11	9am	California Coastal Commission meeting	Pismo Beach
Fri July 11	Noon	Building the Next System: Here and Now	Online
Fri July 11	530pm- 730pm	tgif! Happy Hour	SB
Sat July 12	9am	Point Sal Docent-Led Community Hike	Guadalupe
July 16 July 30 Aug 13	5pm- 630pm	One Million Rising	Online
Th July 17	Noon- 130pm	Good Trouble Lives On	Santa Ynez Valley
Th July 17	430pm- 6pm	Good Trouble Lives On	Carpinteria
Th July 17	5pm- 7pm	Good Trouble Lives On	Lompoc
Th July 17	6pm- 730pm	Good Trouble Lives On	SM
Th July 17	730pm- 830pm	Good Trouble Lives On	SB
Now		Save the Whales	Online

Written by Jeanne Sparks
July 10, 2025

July 11 Roundtable on Building the Next System; State Legislation Updates

SBCAN Roundtable - Friday, July 11

We’ve scheduled a very special roundtable for July

Ben Manski, who’s a UCSB sociology PhD and longtime activist

leads a presentation of an amazingly stimulating program

See below for details–and we hope to see you on Friday, July 11!

Ben Manski
Director
Next System Studies and Assistant Professor of Sociology at George Mason University

Building the Next System: Here and Now
Santa Barbara County Action Network Roundtable via Zoom
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Noon-1:30pm (Pacific)

Register using this Zoom link.

How can we build the next system even as we resist attacks on our communities and institutions?
And what is Santa Barbara's role in global system change?

Join us to hear from four U.S.-based activists who argue that if we take our social, political, economic, and ecological crises seriously enough, we have what it takes to build a world that is democratic, sustainable and just.

Guest Speakers:

Joe Guinan,
President
The Democracy Collaborative

April Doner,
Asset-Based Community Development Institute Steward, Goldin Institute Peace Fellows Trainer

Matt Nelson,
Executive Director
Presente.org

In different regions of the world, deep local relationships are developing as communities, local governments, and universities mobilize their assets to build economic democracy and solidarity and to grow community power and wealth.

We will explore where this emerging “uni-muni-community” strategy is headed.

Drawing on cases ranging from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, DC, Jackson, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Northern Virginia in the United States, as well as Belfast, North Ayrshire, and Preston in Ireland, Scotland, and England, what can we learn about how best to build a new social base for progress?

More information on our guest speakers:

April Doner is a connector, roving illustrator, and community building coach with an enduring belief in the power of neighbors using their gifts to act together. Based in Chicago, she has spent 16 years blending asset-based community building work with artistic practices to cultivate locally controlled economies, self-determination, and authentic networks of care. She is affiliated with the ABCD Institute, Goldin Institute, and Resist & Build Network and is cofounder of Living World Studios.

Joe Guinan is President of The Democracy Collaborative. His focus is on political economy, strategy, and economic system change, and he is co-author (with Martin O’Neill) of The Case for Community Wealth Building (Polity, 2020) and (with Christine Berry) of People Get Ready! Preparing for a Corbyn Government (O/R Books, 2019), which was named one of The Guardian’s best politics books of the year in 2019.

Ben Manski, Director of Next System Studies and Assistant Professor of Sociology at George Mason University, studies the participation of ordinary people in the deliberate constitution of their societies. His work takes in social movements, law, politics, climate and ecology, digital technology, and the corporation, focusing on democracy, constitutionalism, and system change, and he has published widely on these themes. Prior to joining the faculty at GMU, Manski devoted more than two decades working as a public interest lawyer, nonprofit executive, lobbyist, issue campaign director, direct action campaigner, and election campaign manager.

Matt Nelson is the Colombian-born, Midwestern-raised Executive Director of Presente.org. Before his work at Presente, he was the Organizing Director at Color Of Change. Matt also co-founded several worker-owned cooperatives in multiple Midwestern cities. He is a seasoned campaign strategist who has won dozens of local and national campaigns and a skilled community organizer who has trained thousands of activists. Matt co-edited the book “How We Win: Energizing Strategies, Voters, and Agendas” (Routledge 2024). He is finishing a new book on how Latinx organizing and cultural power is reshaping U.S. politics.

Don't forget to register using this link. We look forward to seeing you next Friday!

Written by Jeanne Sparks
July 02, 2025

Make Polluters Pay; BLM oil and gas; Protect the Los Padres

TUESDAY, JUNE 24

I am writing on behalf of Make Polluters Pay Santa Barbara to build local support for the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund legislation that has been introduced in California. If passed, this bill will charge fossil fuel companies for their role in climate-change fueled disasters that we know all too well in Santa Barbara County and across the state. These funds can then be utilized for much needed disaster relief, climate resilience and a transition to clean energy.

Our first meeting is on Tuesday, June 24th at 6pm at the Community Environmental Council at 1219 State St. and we would like to invite SBCAN members to join us. During the meeting we will discuss details of the bill, the status of the bill and a variety of actions we can take here in Santa Barbara County to build on statewide momentum and pressure local electeds to sign-on to the bill.

Feel free to circulate this amongst your members and reach out to us with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Best wishes,

Danae Hogg (she/her)
Make Polluters Pay

650.730.3780 | [email protected]

@polluterspaysb

CALENDAR

NOTE:

Items in bold have been added since our last action alert

DATE	TIME	SUBJECT	PLACE
Tues, June 24	6pm	Make Polluters Pay Santa Barbara	SB
Now to July 23		BLM seeks input on proposed oil and gas management	Online
Now		Stop the Sale of the Los Padres and Other Public Lands!	Online
July 7	Various	Draft Environmental Impact Statement and hearings on expanded launches at Vandenberg SFB	Ventura SB Lompoc Online

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 23, 2025

We hope to see you TODAY, June 22, 2025, for our Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser

With all the craziness going on in the world, today is a good day to come together to celebrate the good work being done by dedicated local activists. If you have chosen to join us, we look forward to seeing you at 2 p.m. today for SBCAN Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser.

SBCAN Staff and Board

Con toda la locura que está sucediendo en el mundo, hoy es un buen día para reunirnos y celebrar el buen trabajo que están realizando los activistas locales dedicados. Si has elegido unirte a nosotros, esperamos verles hoy a las 2 p.m. para los Premios de Liderazgo Inspirador y Recaudación de Fondos de SBCAN.

SBCAN Staff and Board

SBCAN Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser 2025
Sunday, June 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fountain Courtyard at the Corque Hotel
420 Alisal Road, Solvang
Parking is available behind the hotel

Premios de Liderazgo Inspirador y Recaudación de Fondos de SBCAN
Domingo 22 de junio, de 14:00 a 17:00 h.
Patio de la Fuente del Hotel Corque 420 Alisal Road, Solvang
Hay estacionamiento disponible detrás del hotel

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 22, 2025

SBCAN awards on Sunday. SBTAN Trans rally on Saturday. SM Natural History Museum talk on Saturday.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

Join us!!!
Únete a nosotros!!!

SBCAN Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser
SBCAN premios y recaudación de fondos al liderazgo inspirador

CHECK OUT THE 2025 TRIBUTE BOOK/CONSULTA EL LIBRO HOMENAJE 2025

Sunday, June 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fountain Courtyard at the Corque Hotel
420 Alisal Road, Solvang
Domingo 22 de junio, de 14:00 a 17:00 h.
Patio de la Fuente del Hotel Corque 420 Alisal Road, Solvang

Inspiring Leadership Honorees:
Homenajeados por Liderazgo Inspirador:

Eder Gaona-Macedo
Gail Marshall
Voces Sin Fronteras
Santa Barbara Tenants Union
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara

Spanish interpretation will be provided
Se proporcionará interpretación al español

We hope you will join us to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations as we gather outdoors in Solvang for food, fun and festivities. We'll be entertained by local, talented musicians who sing songs to the honorees. We'll hear from the honorees themselves on the difference they are making in the community. We'll gather to celebrate the great work we can do when we join together. Hope to see you on Sunday!

Esperamos que se una a nosotros para honrar a estas personas y organizaciones destacadas mientras nos reunimos al aire libre en Solvang para disfrutar de comida, diversión y festividades. Nos entretendremos con músicos locales talentosos que cantarán canciones para los homenajeados. Escucharemos a los propios homenajeados sobre la diferencia que están haciendo en la comunidad. Nos reuniremos para celebrar el gran trabajo que podemos hacer cuando nos unimos. ¡Esperamos verles el domingo!

Get your tickets now! Tickets are $100/person.
¡Consigue tus entradas ahora! Las entradas cuestan $100 por persona.

Click here to purchase tickets

Contact us at [email protected] for sliding scale tickets.
Contáctenos a [email protected] para obtener boletos con escala móvil.

Thank You to our Sponsors:
Gracias a nuestros patrocinadores:

Diversify, Equalize, Include and Act Sponsors
Diversificar, igualar, incluir y actuar como patrocinadores

Dick Flacks
Dick & Marilyn Mazess

Protect Our Water Sponsor
Protege a nuestra patrocinadora de agua

Gerry DeWitt

Protect Our Farmland and Farmworkers Sponsors
Protejamos nuestras tierras agrícolas y a nuestros trabajadores agrícolas Patrocinadores

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Anna & Petar Kokotovic

Right to Live, Work, & Play Sponsors
Patrocinadores del derecho a vivir, trabajar y jugar

UFCW Local 770
Gail Osherenko & Oran Young
SEIU Local 620
Allan Hancock College
McCune Foundation
David Landecker
The Fund for Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Foundation
Susan Rose
CAUSE

Love Your Neighbor Sponsors
Ama a tu prójimo patrocinadores

Janet Blevins & Gary Smith
Marc Chytilo & Nancy Weiss
Kathy Sharum and David Dennis
Christiane Schlumberger
Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of NAACP
Pam Gates and Cliff Solomon
Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club
Congressman Salud Carbajal

Media Sponsors
Patrocinadores de los medios

Santa Barbara Independent
KCSB-FM

Donors
Donantes

Karen Mayes
American Riviera Bank
Evely Laser Shlensky
Vicky Blum
County Supervisor Laura Capps
County Supervisor Joan Hartmann
Ruth Ackerman
John Evarts & Marjorie Popper

Check out our 2024 Awards Events:
Consulta nuestros eventos de premios de 2024:

2024 South County awards photos

2024 South County awards video

2024 North County awards photos

2024 North County awards video

CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS INFO ON OUR WEBSITE
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA VER ESTA INFORMACIÓN EN NUESTRO SITIO WEB

GET IN ON THE FUN!
¡ÚNETE A LA DIVERSIÓN!

Sponsor the Event: Click here for sponsorship information

Make Donations: Click here to make a donation

Spread the Word: Forward this email to your friends and associates or send them a link to this information on our website: www.sbcan.org/2025_fundraiser

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 19, 2025

Sign up for our awards event. Check out our Tribute Book. And more.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

JOIN US!!!

SBCAN Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser

CHECK OUT THE 2025 TRIBUTE BOOK

Sunday, June 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fountain Courtyard at the Corque Hotel
420 Alisal Road, Solvang

Inspiring Leadership Honorees:

Eder Gaona-Macedo
Gail Marshall
Voces Sin Fronteras
Santa Barbara Tenants Union
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara

We hope you will join us to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations as we gather outdoors in Solvang for food, fun and festivities.

We'll be entertained by local, talented musicians who sing songs to the honorees.

We'll hear from the honorees themselves on the difference they are making in the community.

We'll gather to celebrate the great work we can do when we join together.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Get your tickets now! Tickets are $100/person.

Click here to purchase tickets

Contact us at [email protected] for sliding scale tickets.

Thank You to our Sponsors:

Diversify, Equalize, Include, and Act Sponsors

Dick Flacks
Dick & Marilyn Mazess

Protect Our Water Sponsor

Gerry DeWitt

Protect Our Farmland and Farmworkers Sponsors

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Anna & Petar Kokotovic

Right to Live, Work, & Play Sponsors

UFCW Local 770
Gail Osherenko & Oran Young
SEIU Local 620
Allan Hancock College
McCune Foundation
David Landecker
The Fund for Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Foundation
Susan Rose
CAUSE

Love Your Neighbor Sponsors

Janet Blevins & Gary Smith
Marc Chytilo & Nancy Weiss
Kathy Sharum and David Dennis
Christiane Schlumberger
Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of NAACP
Pam Gates and Cliff Solomon
Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club
Congressman Salud Carbajal

Media Sponsors

Santa Barbara Independent
KCSB-FM

Donors

Karen Mayes
American Riviera Bank
Evely Laser Shlensky
Vicky Blum
County Supervisor Laura Capps
County Supervisor Joan Hartmann
Ruth Ackerman
John Evarts & Marjorie Popper

Check out our 2024 Awards Events:

2024 South County awards photos

2024 South County awards video

2024 North County awards photos

2024 North County awards video

CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS INFO ON OUR WEBSITE

GET IN ON THE FUN!

Sponsor the Event: Click here for sponsorship information

Make Donations: Click here to make a donation

Spread the Word: Forward this email to your friends and associates or send them a link to this information on our website: www.sbcan.org/2025_fundraiser

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 17, 2025

Get your tickets now for SBCAN's Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

JOIN US!!!

SBCAN Inspiring Leadership Awards & Fundraiser

Sunday, June 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fountain Courtyard at the Corque Hotel
420 Alisal Road, Solvang

Inspiring Leadership Honorees:

Eder Gaona-Macedo
Gail Marshall
Voces Sin Fronteras
Santa Barbara Tenants Union
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara

We hope you will join us to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations as we gather outdoors in Solvang for food, fun and festivities.

We'll be entertained by local, talented musicians who sing songs to the honorees.

We'll hear from the honorees themselves on the difference they are making in the community.

We'll gather to celebrate the great work we can do when we join together.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Get your tickets now! Tickets are $100/person.

Click here to purchase tickets

Contact us at [email protected] for sliding scale tickets.

Thank You to our Sponsors:

Diversify, Equalize, Include, and Act Sponsors

Dick Flacks
Dick & Marilyn Mazess

Protect Our Water Sponsor

Gerry DeWitt

Protect Our Farmland and Farmworkers Sponsors

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Anna & Petar Kokotovic

Right to Live, Work, & Play Sponsors

UFCW Local 770
Gail Osherenko & Oran Young
SEIU Local 620
Allan Hancock College
McCune Foundation
David Landecker
The Fund for Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Foundation
Susan Rose

Love Your Neighbor Sponsors

Janet Blevins & Gary Smith
Marc Chytilo & Nancy Weiss
Kathy Sharum and David Dennis
Christiane Schlumberger
Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of NAACP
Pam Gates and Cliff Solomon
Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club
Congressman Salud Carbajal

Media Sponsors

Santa Barbara Independent
KCSB-FM

Donors

Karen Mayes
American Riviera Bank
Evely Laser Shlensky
Vicky Blum
County Supervisor Laura Capps
County Supervisor Joan Hartmann
Ruth Ackerman

Check out our 2024 Awards Events:

2024 South County awards photos

2024 South County awards video

2024 North County awards photos

2024 North County awards video

CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS INFO ON OUR WEBSITE

GET IN ON THE FUN!

Sponsor the Event: Click here for sponsorship information

Make Donations: Click here to make a donation

Spread the Word: Forward this email to your friends and associates or send them a link to this information on our website: www.sbcan.org/2025_fundraiser

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 16, 2025

Protect Public Lands and Waters Now!

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Polluted_ocean_with_an_island_in_the_background__oil_rigs_in_the_foreground__oil_tankers__one_whale__three_dolphins__three_seagulls.jpg

Protect Public Lands and Waters Now!

Santa Barbara County Action Network Roundtable

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Noon-1:30pm

Via Zoom
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RIwplU-jQ4CLZBz9s1QZEg

Public lands could be removed from Channel Islands National Park; devastating logging and mining could be in the future for Los Padres National Forest; offshore oil drilling could restart; national parks, forests and marine sanctuaries could have their budgets slashed. These are a few of the threats to local public lands and waters that could wreak havoc on our local coastal environs.

Three engaged activists from local nonprofits will give their takes on what is happening and the numerous threats to our local public lands and waters.

We will open the floor to questions and discuss what we can do together.

Our guest speakers are:

Jim Hines, conservation chair of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club
Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch
Ken Palley, member of the Executive Committee of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation

RECENT DETRIMENTAL ACTIONS:

Santa Barbara office of U.S. Department of Ocean Protection - CLOSED
Camarillo office of U.S. Bureau of Energy Management - CLOSED
Ocean and marine protections - SUSPENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER

THREATS:

Grants canceled for Channel Islands NP, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Chumash Heritage NMS and Los Padres NF
Removal of Santa Rosa Island and San Miguel Island from Channel Islands National Park
Defunding of the Marine Mammal Commission
Drastic reduction of the U.S. Forest Service budget nationwide including the Los Padres NF
National park system areas to be closed including Channel Islands NP and Santa Monica Mtns NRA
Slashing the budget for various federal natural resources agencies impacting national parks, national forest and national marine sanctuaries in our region
Public lands sell off
Disposing of 360 national park system units
Restart of offshore oil production and transportation through the Sable oil pipeline that devastated our coast 10 years ago
Uranium mining and oil drilling in the Los Padres National Forest
Fix Our Forests Act could pass the Senate with bipartisan support, codifying executive orders that allow logging in the Los Padres National Forest
U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Risk Reduction Project proposes to remove trees, chaparral and other healthy native vegetation across 90,796 acres of Los Padres National Forest public land. The project emphasizes vegetation removal in remote areas—places that pose little threat to public safety but are rich in biodiversity, cultural value, and recreational importance. The plan also allows for commercial logging, and it overlaps with roadless areas and endangered species critical habitat.

OTHER THOUGHTS -- FROM JIM HINES:

Does the increased military presence off our coast have anything to do with the following: Discussions of returning San Miguel Island to the island's owner, the U.S. Navy. (The National Park Service manages the island but does not own it.) The U.S. Navy already owns two islands (San Nicolas and San Clementine). Discussions on removing Santa Rosa Island from the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park, although it could be part of a deep sea mining proposal.

How does the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, SpaceX launches, massive budget and staff cuts to offshore protected areas and the administrations plans for an offshore oil and gas lease sale fit into all of this?

OUR GUEST SPEAKERS:

Jim Hines is the conservation chair of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club. His presentation is based on his perspectives from ongoing meetings with people in power in DC, such as Department of the Interior staff, Office of the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (for Los Padres National Forest issues) and staff at the House Committee on Natural Resources. He has been following and disseminating information about actions taken and threatened against our national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management conservation lands, national marine sanctuaries and national wildlife refuges. He has been following these issues for years and is more alarmed now than ever.

Jeff Kuyper is the executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch, which has the mission of "Protecting the Los Padres National Forest, the Carrizo Plain National Monument, and other public lands along Califoria's Central Coast." As one of the original founders of ForestWatch, Jeff brings more than 25 years of experience in legal and policy advocacy on behalf of wildlife, public lands, and the local communities that depend on them. Jeff holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. He has worked with several of the West’s leading public interest environmental law firms, including the Western Environmental Law Center in Eugene, Oregon; Advocates for the West in Boise, Idaho; and the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara, California.

Ken Palley is on the Executive Committee of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and has served as the chair of the organization. He is a retired Physician Assistant who practiced Urgent Care medicine at Sansum clinic for 30 years and has been an activist with Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara chapter for the past 25 years. The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. He will focus on threats to the Gaviota Coast, including the Sable oil pipeline.

RECENT ACTIONS BY LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH AND ALLIES:

We thank Los Padres ForestWatch for taking the lead on demanding the Forest Service NOT cut trees, clear chaparral and remove other healthy native vegetation across 90,796 acres of public land.

Santa Barbara County Action Network joined a coalition of 91 environmental and community organizations calling for a new vision for wildfire protection. See the letter here.

We were one of seven organizations that signed a detailed technical letter prepared by the Environmental Defense Center urging forest officials to adopt a Community Alternative that reduces the Forest Service's plan by 83 percent. See the technical letter here.

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 12, 2025

Stand up for immigrants 10am Thursday, June 12, in Santa Maria

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

Santa Barbara County Action Network encourages you to stand up for our immigrant neighbors during a press conference at 10 a.m. tomorrow, June 12, in Santa Maria.

See this information from CAUSE:

There has been increased ICE activity throughout the central coast where immigrant workers are being targeted and even detained. It’s clear that family separation isn’t just happening at the border anymore, but it’s happening in our neighborhoods. Amidst all the fear, we want to stand in solidarity with our undocumented immigrant community.

We are organizing a press conference tomorrow at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building at 10am. The purpose of this press conference is to advertise the 805 Rapid Response Network, stop the militarization of ICE in our community, stop the fear, and call for our County to support immigrant-right efforts.

If you are able to come out and support our immigrant community, we would love for you to join us! I encourage you all to share this flyer with anyone you think should attend, thank you for your help and support during this time.

Michelle Ambriz-Quintero (she/her/ella)
Santa Maria Policy Advocate
Cell: (805)-930-1505
Office: (805) 922-4447

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Polluted_ocean_with_an_island_in_the_background__oil_rigs_in_the_foreground__oil_tankers__one_whale__three_dolphins__three_seagulls.jpg

Protect Public Lands and Waters Now!

Santa Barbara County Action Network Roundtable

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Noon-1:30pm

Via Zoom
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RIwplU-jQ4CLZBz9s1QZEg

While we do all we can to protect the rule of law, our immigrant neighbors and our own rights, we have to stand up for our public lands and waters before it is too late.

Some detrimental actions have already been taken. Others are imminently threatened.

Join us Friday to hear from three local activists on the threats they see and the actions we can take:

Jim Hines, conservation chair of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club
Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch
Ken Palley, member of the Executive Committee of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation

RECENT DETRIMENTAL ACTIONS:

Santa Barbara office of U.S. Department of Ocean Protection - CLOSED
Camarillo office of U.S. Bureau of Energy Management - CLOSED
Ocean and marine protections - SUSPENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER

THREATS:

Grants canceled for Channel Islands NP, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Chumash Heritage NMS and Los Padres NF
Removal of Santa Rosa Island and San Miguel Island from Channel Islands National Park
Defunding of the Marine Mammal Commission
Drastic reduction of the U.S. Forest Service budget nationwide including the Los Padres NF
National park system areas to be closed including Channel Islands NP and Santa Monica Mtns NRA
Slashing the budget for various federal natural resources agencies impacting national parks, national forest and national marine sanctuaries in our region
Public lands sell off
Disposing of 360 national park system units
Restart of offshore oil production and transportation through the Sable oil pipeline that devastated our coast 10 years ago
Uranium mining and oil drilling in the Los Padres National Forest
Fix Our Forests Act could pass the Senate with bipartisan support, codifying executive orders that allow logging in the Los Padres National Forest
U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Risk Reduction Project proposes to remove trees, chaparral and other healthy native vegetation across 90,796 acres of Los Padres National Forest public land. The project emphasizes vegetation removal in remote areas—places that pose little threat to public safety but are rich in biodiversity, cultural value, and recreational importance. The plan also allows for commercial logging, and it overlaps with roadless areas and endangered species critical habitat.

OTHER THOUGHTS -- FROM JIM HINES:

Does the increased military presence off our coast have anything to do with the following: Discussions of returning San Miguel Island to the island's owner, the U.S. Navy. (The National Park Service manages the island but does not own it.) The U.S. Navy already owns two islands (San Nicolas and San Clementine). Discussions on removing Santa Rosa Island from the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park, although it could be part of a deep sea mining proposal.

How does the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, SpaceX launches, massive budget and staff cuts to offshore protected areas and the administrations plans for an offshore oil and gas lease sale fit into all of this?

OUR GUEST SPEAKERS:

Jim Hines is the conservation chair of the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club. His presentation is based on his perspectives from ongoing meetings with people in power in DC, such as Department of the Interior staff, Office of the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (for Los Padres National Forest issues) and staff at the House Committee on Natural Resources. He has been following and disseminating information about actions taken and threatened against our national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management conservation lands, national marine sanctuaries and national wildlife refuges. He has been following these issues for years and is more alarmed now than ever.

Jeff Kuyper is the executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch, which has the mission of "Protecting the Los Padres National Forest, the Carrizo Plain National Monument, and other public lands along Califoria's Central Coast." As one of the original founders of ForestWatch, Jeff brings more than 25 years of experience in legal and policy advocacy on behalf of wildlife, public lands, and the local communities that depend on them. Jeff holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. He has worked with several of the West’s leading public interest environmental law firms, including the Western Environmental Law Center in Eugene, Oregon; Advocates for the West in Boise, Idaho; and the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara, California.

Ken Palley is on the Executive Committee of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and has served as the chair of the organization. He is a retired Physician Assistant who practiced Urgent Care medicine at Sansum clinic for 30 years and has been an activist with Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara chapter for the past 25 years. The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. He will focus on threats to the Gaviota Coast, including the Sable oil pipeline.

RECENT ACTIONS BY LOS PADRES FORESTWATCH AND ALLIES:

We thank Los Padres ForestWatch for taking the lead on demanding the Forest Service NOT cut trees, clear chaparral and remove other healthy native vegetation across 90,796 acres of public land.

Santa Barbara County Action Network joined a coalition of 91 environmental and community organizations calling for a new vision for wildfire protection. See the letter here.

We were one of seven organizations that signed a detailed technical letter prepared by the Environmental Defense Center urging forest officials to adopt a Community Alternative that reduces the Forest Service's plan by 83 percent. See the technical letter here.

Written by Jeanne Sparks
June 11, 2025