10th Annual Explore Ecology’s Environmental Stewardship Awards
The 10th annual Environmental Steward Awards by Explore Ecology were presented at an informal luncheon on Thursday, April 16, at the Cabrillo Pavilion for the second year in a row. The awards were established in 2016 by EE Executive Director Lindsay Johnson and Marketing/Communications Director Jill Cloutier and coincided with the annual SB Earth Day event.
Nominees and winners are voted for online by anyone who lives in SB County. The categories are SB County School Students, Teachers and Assistants, and Environmental Clubs. For 2026, there are 15 awardees representing sustainability, waste reduction, environmental education, climate resilience, and organic gardening.
Following a reception, group photos by the EE photographer, and a welcome by Johnson, each winner had their moment at the podium.
The 2026 winners are:
Students:
– West Lang: At Santa Ynez Valley Charter School, a swarm of bees was disturbed at recess, leading to screaming chaos from students. Enter West, 4th-grade beekeeper. After school, West safely collected the bees and relocated them, ensuring that no bees or students were harmed!
– Hunter and Sophie Costa: Sophie (Monte Vista Elementary) and Hunter (La Colina Junior High) are dedicated garden advocates who have participated in every garden and campus beautification event at La Colina this year.
– River Peace: A senior at Midland School (Los Olivos), River is leading efforts to transition the school farm toward a climate-resilient, perennial system – work that will have a lasting impact beyond his time on campus.
– Jade Garcia: An environmental activist and secretary of the new Santa Barbara High School Environmental Advocacy Club, Jade helped organize the Make Polluters Pay walkout at SB High School, mobilizing her peers around climate action.
Teachers:
– Lisa Lisle: A 5th grade teacher at Brandon Elementary who led a school-wide transition from plastic sporks to reusable utensils, Lisa maintains native planter beds outside her classroom and is the lead staff member for her school’s Walk and Roll program.
– Juana Zarate, Silvia Hernandez, and Rosa Herrera: Teachers at Just for Kids Preschool in Lompoc, this team has fully embraced garden-based learning, inspiring their students to care for plants and nature from an early age.
– Jacob Pepper: An educator at Anacapa Middle School, Jacob leads the Environmental Science Club, where students are working toward an ambitious goal of reducing campus waste and consumption by 30%.
– Isabella Marill: A teacher at Midland School in Los Olivos, Isabella set up an environmental club, conducted a campus-wide environmental audit, and is developing a comprehensive stewardship plan.
School Support Staff:
– Leise Thomason: A science specialist at Santa Barbara Charter School in Goleta, Leise has developed garden programs, composting systems, and waste reduction initiatives, including a mini reuse station inspired by Art from Scrap.
– Bree Valla: Superintendent/Principal of Vista del Mar Union School District in Gaviota, Bree is guiding the transition to the Vista Institute of Environmental Studies, reducing food waste through local partnerships, and implementing a seasonal, locally sourced school menu.
Clubs:
– Planet Protectors: Although they are small,this group of dedicated Kindergarten to 1st graders at Canalino Elementary is making a big impact in keeping their campus clean, while learning and practicing environmental responsibility.
– Cabrillo High School Aquarium: What started in a small classroom at Cabrillo High School with one tank, one student, and one teacher… is now one of the largest public aquariums on the Central Coast.
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