Welcome back! See below for information on the upcoming SBCAN roundtable, a historic countywide victory, and other local efforts.

Upcoming Roundtable on September 25

Join us on September 25 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM for a countywide Roundtable moderated by SBCAN Co-President Dick Flacks on the following items:

I. SB County Oil and Gas Prohibition Ordinance Amendments (Phase 2)
II. Inclusionary Housing/In-Lieu (County and City of SB)
III. FREE Domestic Well Water Testing in SB County

Register for the zoom meeting using this link. Details to follow.

County: Prohibiting New Oil and Gas Wells!

On September 15th, the County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of implementing Phase I of a complete land oil and gas phase out for the county. Phase I entails prohibiting all new land oil and gas wells in the County. Staff are now directed to work on Phase II which would entail ending all operations in existing, and closure of idle, oil and gas wells. 

SBCAN staff providing public comment.

Help Our County and City Housing Authorities!

We need your help. The City and County Housing Authorities are asking community members to complete a short rental market survey.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, uses Fair Market Rents to determine how much rental assistance a household can receive. Current limits are lower than many local rents, making it difficult for people with assistance to find a home. Your responses will help us ask HUD to reevaluate those limits using actual rents from our community.

Who should respond? Renters and rental property owners or managers throughout Santa Barbara County.

The survey takes about 10 minutes and asks what you pay in rent or what you charge.

Please complete it by November 29, 2026, using this link:
https://ucsb.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOzflLp0UQP8VKK.

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Winners will be contacted by phone or email.

Your privacy is protected. Responses are confidential and will be used only for research.

You may stop at any time. To withdraw a completed response later, please email [email protected].

Pajaritos: An Outdoor Adventure for North County Youth

SBCAN is partnering with Creek Lands Conservation to expand opportunities for local youth to connect with nature through Pajaritos, a free youth birding adventure at Preisker Park.

The program gives local youth a chance to explore the outdoors, learn about local birds and ecosystems, and build a deeper connection wildlife in our own backyards.

Know students who would be interested, or teachers and youth clubs who can help spread the word? Please share these flyers and help us get Pajaritos in front of youth.

Final Chance: Support Local MPA Proposals!

The California Fish and Game Commission is considering two proposals to expand California's MPA network along the Santa Barbara County coast: the Point Sal State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and the Mishopshno State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) near Carpinteria.

Together, these proposals aim to protect ecologically significant marine habitats, enhance biodiversity, and recognize areas of cultural importance to the Chumash people through Tribal stewardship and conservation.

The final vote is on October 15th! 

If you're interested in traveling to Sacramento to provide in-person support and comment, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), SBCAN, and other community partners are organizing travel and lodging to Sacramento. If interested, please email [email protected].

We will keep you posted on the agenda, but please mark your calendar if able to provide public comment, online public comment will be possible.

Your signature on this petition can also help make a difference in protecting our coast!


Business Support for Point Sal and Mishopshno!

If you run a business, or are able to ask a business, please support the MPA's by filling out this petition for Point Sal: Sign on: Businesses in Support of Protecting Point Sal

Please reach out to [email protected] for Mishopshno support. 

Calling all Eastside SB residents!

During the City of Santa Barbara's budget cycle, District 1 Councilmember Wendy Santamaria secured $600,000–$1,000,000 in new investments for the Eastside.

Before the City spends a dollar, the Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) and the Milpas Eastside Business Association (MEBA) are partnering with Councilmember Santamaria to hear directly from Eastside residents about what our community needs most.

Your input will help determine how these funds are invested and shape the future of our Eastside—from safer streets and stronger infrastructure to economic development and other community priorities.

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share it with your friends, neighbors, and fellow Eastside residents. Together, we can make sure Eastside residents help decide where these funds will make the biggest difference.

See the survey in English here.

See the survey in Spanish here.