This coalition of local non-profit groups who are asking the global architecture and building community to adopt the following targets: -That all new buildings, developments and major renovations be designed to meet a fossil fuel, greenhouse gas emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional average for that building type. -At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area be renovated annually to meet a fossil-fuel, greenhouse gas-emitting, energy-consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional average for that building type. -That the fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings be increased to: 60% in 2010, 70% in 2015 80% in 2020, 90% in 2025 and Carbon-neutral by 2030.

An environmental building program that distinguishes and promotes resource efficient development, design, and construction. Green building practices go beyond energy and water conservation to incorporate environmentally sensitive site planning, resource efficient building materials and superior indoor air environmental quality. Designed to help builders, developers and homeowners with an easy to understand rating system, which quantifies environmentally friendly building practices for remodeling and new construction.

Since 1970, CEC has led the Santa Barbara region – and at times California and the nation – in creative solutions to some of the toughest environmental problems. We are often referred to as a “think-and-do tank” – deeply analyzing a problem and then applying creative, real-world solutions to it. About five years ago, CEC launched a bold new mission – eliminating the use of fossil fuels in our region in one generation. Today we are singularly focused on this one mission, and are applying to it all that we have learned over the last four decades. Become a member. Make a positive difference.

A group of local Santa Barbara professionals who are committed to the design, building, sales and purchasing of environmentally sustainable projects. The GBA utilize the latest in Green Building methods, materials and remains on the cutting edge of the increasing shift toward sustainability in construction and home requests. We work together as a committed group of colleagues to best serve your selling, buying, building and remodeling needs here in Santa Barbara.

Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up for a drinks at informal sessions at local spots known as Green Drinks. These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. As a founder of the Santa Barbara chapter of Green Drink, I feel that is is a positive networking source and we would like to help it spread to other cities. E-mail santabarbara@greendrinks.org to get on the list.

A California Central Coast Chapter that acts as a unifying voice for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. USGBC is the nation's leading organization supporting environmentally responsible building. The council developed LEED Green Building Rating systems and has over 70 local chapters.

A local moving company whose fleet is powered by biodiesel trucks. Move Green uses recycled cardboard boxes and plastic containers, provide paperless quotes, plant 10 trees with every move and purchase carbon credits through carbonfund.org. Plus they have comparable rates to other local movers and have less of a carbon footprint!

Santa Barbara Food Not Lawns is a grassroots group based in Santa Barbara, CA. Our goal is to encourage folks to grow and share more food together while having fun and building community. To get more information, join the mailing list, announce new chapters and events- Email: info@sbfoodnotlawns.org SEE what we are about: http://www.sbchannels.net/videos/768/food-not-lawns-party.html Look to see when a garden exchange is taking place in your neighborhood.

By the time Russ Waldrop was on his way to Oregon he had built careers as a high school teacher and archeologist in Peru. He was picking up a load of large timbers for the house he was planning to build near the Gaviota Coast. His dreams of a "green" home with big timbers, a sod roof and a sustainable power source have materialized with the grace, craftsmanship and natural beauty worthy of the spectacular view. That trip to Oregon brought subsequent requests from friends of friends wanting the same quality timbers. In need of a place to park a load for a while, he found a spot along the 101. Now known as Pacific Timber Products. The once niche lumber shop now offers lines designed to complement the Santa Barbara climate and its inhabitants quite beautifully. Wheather you are building a custom home, or preserving a Santa Barbara treasure, Pacific Timber Products is dedicated to your spectacular view!

Arete Adventures are a cutting-edge team building and leadership training company dedicated to bringing integrative learning to your organization – learning that incorporates many modalities, as well as all aspects of a whole human being. We will work with your team in any context and setting – corporate retreats, sales meetings, team skill building sessions – indoors, outdoors, off-site or on premises. We will expand the boundaries of what is possible for your teams and leaders in the areas of communication, problem solving, decision making and leadership skills. We use a wildly effective and fun combination of experiential education and cognitive learning that is guaranteed to engage your employees.

Tell Jack your long-term goals, tell him your short-term goals, and tell him the present level of your commitments Then let his Coaching Help You Fulfill Your Dreams Jack is in his twenty first year of competition now and having started late in life (46 years old) he has learned to adjust his workout schedules, stay on track with his career path and still have a great degree of racing success. He has been able to achieve this while maintaining a high degree of fitness as he ages up in life. Jack will work with you one on one, design an Annual Training Program that fits your needs either for health/fitness or for competing in triathlons or running events.

LoaTree is an eco-lifestyle collective. LoaTree’s (Law of Attraction Tree), goal is to offer our customers and clients a range of eco-inspired art, products, services and music to match their desire to live and lead inspired lives. LoaTree provides business, marketing and managerial services for our artists and organizations. Our artists and organizations are LoaTree ambassadors for the beauty, lifestyle and vibe. Contact LoaTree directly to reach any of our artists or organizations.

New Farmers Market at Harding Elementary School, Westside! 8 markets, 6 days a week Open year-round, rain or shine We are pleased to announce the launch of our newest local farmers market, which will be located every Wednesday from 3:00pm-dusk at Harding Elementary School. An exceptional array of fresh local produce, flowers, plants, nuts, sprouts, eggs, whole chickens, pies, breads, and much more! The seasons very best peaches, berries, citrus, tomatoes, green beans, corn, apples, peppers and melons will all be available!

This is the cab company that I always call when I need transportation. I used them for my wedding day in an effort to make the day as green as possible and showed up at the aisle (trail) in a Prius. Lucky also offers the lowest rates in town: 805-805-680-3336

Merryl Brown Events specializes in elegant social and corporate events as well as weddings that are both environmentally sensitive and beautiful. We look at every aspect of your event through a prism of sustainability to determine how to create something that is both gracious and green, simultaneously. An important aspect of what we do is to help you find ways to reduce waste and enhance the sustainability profile of your event. We set a series of targets and goals to achieve your requested or our recommended sustainability considerations. We consider environmental responsibility at every step of the planning process, using local, organic, recycled, biodegradable and compostable materials wherever possible to make the event as low-waste as possible from start to finish without ever compromising the elegance or quality of the production. Elegance with Intelligence™ is our motto!

Growing up in the fresh air and abundant outdoor life of Southern California, Mia developed an early connection to nature and an inherent knowledge that inspiration comes from allowing the space for magic to happen. Her designs come to her, she says, in dreams, or while her mind wanders, or even while kissing her beloved. Having mastered the art of listening to these quiet whispers, she lets combinations of semi-precious and precious stones, forged 14k gold, sterling silver, and pearls present themselves to her, instead of the other way around. The results are, of course, sublime. Her extensive and highly coveted line includes necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, all of which bear the signature of her unique creative process. Her latest line has awed even her oldest fans, with its innovative layering of unusual chains and multiple strands. Each piece can be worn alone, as an everyday favorite, or layered in various combinations, achieving a sensuous, standout look. Mia’s self-taught, artistic eye has also lent itself window-dressing, visual merchandising and interior design, as well as painting, poetry, sculpture, and printmaking. But her primary love — her real gift, you might say — remains jewelry making. “When a wearer feels confident, empowered, protected and in touch with his or her soul,” she says, “I feel like I have done my job.”

SBmenus presents the Santa Barbara community with a competent and easy to use system that will make finding the right food, drinks and activities a simple and enjoyable experience. Our unparalleled Online Ordering feature will present users with a better method for ordering their favorites for delivery and takeout. Sbmenus provides local restaurants and bars with a more efficient system in which to distribute and market their product. Our goal is to add value to our clients business by increasing their exposure and distribution channels.

This one of a kind Santa Barbara wine tasting tour experience highlights the region’s rich history and the sustainable aspects of some of today’s best wine producers. You’ll not only learn the difference between organic wine and wine made from organic grapes, but also how the important Santa Barbara industry of viticulture became what it is today. We don’t just limit our experience to the tasting room. Throughout the day, we’ll pass through varying geographical regions and experience different wine varietals that are tailored to their locale. In order to truly appreciate a wine one needs to encounter its’ origins, sensing the process first hand by walking among the vines, feeling the distinctive climate, learning about the grower and his process, and of course drinking the fruits of his labors. Our experience has taught us that our tours are enhanced when we slow down the process, making each visit a more meaningful and memorable encounter.

Go ahead, make a small statement—change your light bulbs, wear TOMS shoes, give a micro loan to a Kiva entrepreneur, travel eco-mindfully, shop at your local farmers’ market, pick-up Patagonia clothes made from recycled plastic or an organic cotton t-shirt from Weekend Hippie! It works. Like putting quarters in a jar: all of a sudden it pays for a new wetsuit, each small statement adds up… Being friendly to the earth, and you and your family, comes at different levels. Give 1% to the earth; do what you can but do something. Be a Weekend Hippie— seven days a week! Earth, it’s worth it… The Weekend Hippies.

If you have inquiries about a listing's green enhancements or seek more information about green homes, you can check out this website that is a resource for consumers who are seeking additional information on green real estate topics and issues. Or you can just give me a call!

The EcoBroker® designation assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in real estate transactions, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Green Designation is the definition of green professionalism, excellence, and leadership for today’s real estate practitioners. Specifically designed to address the educational needs of practitioners in residential, commercial, and property management markets, this training program is a true cross-over designation and the only green designation recognized by NAR.

SANTA BARBARA'S LEADING INDEPENDENT REAL ESTATE COMPANY Village Properties offers unparalleled real estate services in Santa Barbara, California and the surrounding communities. We have realty offices in Montecito, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez with agents and brokers serving Ojai, Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Santa Ynez.